Microbiological quality of selected home-made drinks sold in a tertiary institution setting and it effect on some common uropathogens

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure, PMB 704, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Uropathogens other than Escherichia coli can be used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents due to genetic differences in the implicated uropathogens; hence, there is a focus on the microbiological qualities of homemade beverages. This study investigated the microorganisms present in homemade drinks (Kunnu, Soymilk, and Zobo) and their effects on common uropathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Methods: Biochemical characterization, an antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) and a growth inhibition test were performed on the selected homemade drinks on the test uropathogenic microbial strains to determine the antibacterial effects of the selected drinks on these uropathogens. Results: Candida albicans (100%) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (66.7%) were the most common fungal strains found in the homemade drinks. The bacterial load of the drinks ranged from 4.23±0.20×104 to 8.90±0.36×104 CFU/ml, while the fungal load ranged from 8.27±0.20×104 to 1.55±0.45×103 SFU/ml. The pH of the drinks ranged from 5.51-5.68 (Kunnu), 4.90-4.92 (Zobo), and 7.58-7.60 (Soymilk). The titratable acidity of the homemade drinks ranged from 0.22-0.36 (Kunnu), 0.40-0.80 (Zobo), and 0.18-0.30 (Soymilk). Of the homemade drinks examined for antibacterial activity against common uropathogens, only Soymilk and Zobo exerted growth inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli (11.00±2.30 and 8.33±0.88 mm, respectively), and Soymilk also inhibited the growth of Candida albicans on an agar plate (9.00±1.15 mm). Conclusion: Soymilk could be used to treat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, while Zobo could be used to treat infections caused by Escherichia coli in the absence of conventional antibiotics.

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