This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological and proximate analysis of pop corn sold in Benin City, during rainy and dry season. Microbiological analysis included isolation, enumeration and identification using standard methods and biochemical tests. Total bacteria, fungi and coliform counts were 3.23x105, 1.42 x105 and 2.87x105 cfu/g respectively in pop corn analyzed during rainy season and 1.42 x105, 0.39 x105 and 1.05 x105 respectively in pop corn analyzed during dry season. Escherichia coli, Micrococcus varians, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated during rainy season while the bacteria isolated during the dry season include S. aureus, M. varians, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Fungal species isolated during rainy season were Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp. and Rhizopus sp. while Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp were isolated during the dry season. Proximate analysis of pop corn during rainy season revealed the presence of moisture, protein, lipid, fibre, ash and carbohydrate at concentrations (in %) of 3.76, 6.34, 7.34, 1.68, 4.19 and 76.69 respectively. However, there were variations in their concentrations during the dry season with concentrations (in %) of 2.48, 8.21, 5.19, 2.51, 5.73 and 75.88 respectively.

Author Name: F.I. Akinnibosun and P. Airiohuodion

URL: View PDF

Keywords: Corn, Proximate analysis, Microbial analysis, Rainy season, Dry season.

ISSN:

EISSN: 2249 –1929

EOI/DOI: NIL

Add Citation Views: 1

---