Molecular Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria From Cow and Goat Meat In a Nigerian Market

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Meat is a nutrient-rich food that supports microbial growth, making it a major vehicle for foodborne infections. This
study assessed the bacterial contamination and antibiotic resistance profiles of cow (beef) and goat (chevon) meat
sold at Obada Market, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Fresh meat samples from slaughterhouses and hawkers were
analyzed using standard microbiological and molecular methods. Bacterial isolates were identified by Gram staining,
biochemical characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using
the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar following CLSI (2024) guidelines. Total bacterial
counts ranged from 3.09 × 10² to 5.38 × 10² CFU/mL, with hawked meat showing higher contamination. Molecular
identification revealed six bacterial species: Bacillus thuringiensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida,
Enterobacter asburiae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Citrobacter europaeus. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed
high resistance to amoxicillin and augmenting, while gentamicin, pefloxacin, ofloxacin, and sparfloxacin were most
effective. The findings suggest that meat sold in open markets harbors antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to poor
hygiene and indiscriminate antibiotic use in livestock. Improved sanitary measures, responsible antibiotic use, and
regular microbial surveillance are essential to safeguard public health.