TITLE:
Detection, Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Clostridium sporogens in Nono: A Nigerian Traditionally Fermented Yoghurt Drink
AUTHORS:
Nofisat Olaide Oyedokun, Gbadebo Barnabas Olukotun, Uchenna Iman Igwegbe, Binta Buba Adamu, Roseline Rumi Ideh, Olaitan Comfort Shekoni, Amin Oderaa Igwegbe
KEYWORDS:
Fermentation, Nono, Clostridium sporogens, Pathogenic, Food Borne Illness
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Microbiology,
Vol.13 No.1,
March
23,
2023
ABSTRACT: Nono is a traditionally fermented milk drink commonly consumed in the
Northern parts of Nigeria. It is produced through the spontaneous fermentation
of raw cow milk by Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), a process that could result to
the contamination of the product with such pathogenic organisms as Clostridia spp. The aim of this research
was therefore to determine the incidence of Clostridia species in thirty-two (32)
ready-to-drink nono samples collected directly from a number of Fulani
vendors in randomly selected locations within the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Isolated organisms were further subjected to some
morphological and biochemical characterizations using standard microbiological
procedures. The results obtained indicate that fourteen (14) isolates were
putatively identified to be Clostridium sp., out of which five (5)
isolates were confirmed to be Clostridium sporogens by a BLAST analysis
of their respective 16SrRNA nucleotide sequence. It was concluded that, the
detection of these pathogenic strains in frequently consumed product like nono could pose a public health risk and
proactive measures to prevent an outbreak of food borne illness from nono consumption, were recommended.