Microbial load and Microflora of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and effect of Cassava Juice on some food borne pathogens

The microbial load of cassava tubers that were grown at Awassa, Ethiopia, was analysed. The total viable microbial count of fresh cassava, before cleaning, ranged from 8.7x104 to 2.1x109 c.f.u/g whereas, in thoroughly cleaned product it was reduced to 106 c.f.u/g (% C.V., 19.5). Enterobacteriacae and spore former bacteria had mean counts of 104 and 103 c.f.u/g respectively. The dominant bacteria groups within the aerobic mesophillic flora were Acinetobactor spp. (29.1%), Micrococcus spp. (17.4%) and Enterbacteriacae (16%). Bactrial spores, Pseudomonas, Moraxella and Aeromonas spp. Were detected in a small proportions. Fate of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes in cassava juice was also evaluated. Except in B. cereus the growth of the bacterial strains was retarded only at higher concentrations. The Journal of Food Technology in Africa Volume 6 Number 1 (January-March 2001), pp. 21-24