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Screening of Street Vended Food for their Microbiological Quality and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of the Isolates

Street food vending is a prevailing and distinctive part of a large sector in Ulhasnagar region. Street food is commonly consumed by a population of an age group ranging from 5-10 years to 60-70 years. This study was initiated with a view of determining bacterial agents associated with the street vended food and to investigating the antimicrobial resistance of the isolates. This study assessed the microbiological quality of various ready-to-eat unprocessed food sold in the Ulhasnagar region by street vendors. Microbiological analysis was conducted on 50 samples which included panipuri, vadapav, samosa, sambar, chutney, fruit juices, etc. The isolates were identified by growing them on selective media like MacConkey agar, SS agar, Mannitol Salt agar and performing various biochemical tests. Organisms isolated included: Klebisella spp., Serratia spp., Pantoea spp. & Staphylococcus aureus. Intrestingly E. coli was not isolated in any of the samples. As these food products are unprocessed and consumed directly, there are high chances of pathogenic microorganisms getting entry into the body and cause disease state. KirbyBauer disc diffusion method was performed to determine the sensitivity of the isolated microorganisms towards antibiotics. The isolates were resistant to antibiotics like Ceftazidime, Imipenem, and Tetracycline. Isolates showed an intermediate sensitivity to Gentamycin. This indicated that the vended street food is potential reservoir for the spread of emerging multiple drug resistant bacteria strains that pose threat to human health. This should draw the attention of relevant authorities to ensure that the hygiene standards are improved to curtain food born infections. Also it is necessary to educate the vendors to cut down the storage time, maintain proper cleanliness and use purified water for preparation of unprocessed food products.