Characterization and Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Freshly Sold Amaranthus viridis in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria

Amaranthus viridis is known to have excellent nutritional value because of its high content of essential micronutrients which are considered heat labile, thus little or no heat is applied during its preparation to destroy microbial contaminants acquired during planting, harvesting or processing. This study was conducted to characterize pathogenic bacteria isolated from freshly sold Amaranthus viridis and determine their susceptibilities to commonly used antibiotics. Fresh, green and firm Amaranthus viridis were collected at different retail and cultivation sites across Ife Central Local Government Area of Ile–Ife and microbiologically assayed for the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Shigella species and Escherichia coli using standard methods described by APHA. The result shows that 21 isolates were recovered of which 7 isolates showed characteristics of Shigella which appear colourless without a black centre on SSA and 5 isolates were typical of Escherichia coli with characteristic green metallic sheen on EMB agar. The isolates were all sensitive to ofloxacilin, more than 86% of the isolated Shigella spp. and Escherichia coli exhibited multi resistance to other antibiotics especially nitrofurantoin and amoxicillin. This study concludes that the freshly sold Amaranthus viridis in Ile-Ife were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, hence, the result creates awareness on the dangers of consuming these vegetables.