Microbiological and Nutritional Qualities of Ripe Avocado Pear Sold in Obinze Market, Imo State, Nigeria

The assessment of microbial contamination and nutritional composition in ripe avocado pears (Persea americana) is essential for evaluating their safety and potential health benefits to consumers. This study aimed to examine the microbiological quality and proximate composition of avocado pears sold at Obinze Market, Imo State, Nigeria. Twenty-four (24) samples were randomly purchased from different vendors in sterile polythene bags and brought to laboratory for prompt analysis. Microbial enumeration was conducted using nutrient agar, Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB), MacConkey agar, Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) and following serial dilution. Isolates were purified and identified through Gram staining and standard biochemical tests. Proximate analyses determined the nutritional content of the fruit pulp. Results indicated that Lane A samples exhibited significantly higher total aerobic plate counts (128.92 ± 39.32 log₁₀ CFU/g), coliform counts (38.83 ± 27.28 log₁₀CFU/g), and Escherichia coli presence (2.08 ± 2.11) compared to Lane B (92.83 ± 32.88, 16.83 ± 11.09, and 0.75 ± 1.06, respectively). Conversely, fecal coliform levels were marginally elevated in Lane B (30.50 ± 9.04) relative to Lane A (27.42 ± 9.33). Staphylococcus spp. predominated among bacterial isolates (30%), while Aspergillus spp. was the most frequent fungal isolate (33.33%). Nutritionally, carbohydrate content was markedly higher in Lane B samples (55.13 ± 0.25%) than in Lane A (1.56 ± 0.05%). These findings highlight potential microbial contamination risks in avocado pears sold locally, underscoring the need for improved hygiene practices. It is recommended that vendors adhere to stringent sanitation protocols and that routine microbial monitoring be enforced to safeguard consumer health.