Radiation response (Low dose gamma radiation) of members of the Enterobacteriaceae in dry fruiting bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus and their identification using API 20E system

Abstract

The effectiveness of using low dose gamma radiation (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kiloGray) was tested on dry fruit bodies of Pleurotus ostreatus stored in polythene and polypropylene and stored at 28-30 oC up to 12 months for identification of members of Enterobacteriaceae with API 20E test kit (Biomerieux ®, France). Encountered microorganisms of the Control samples (0 kGy) of both packages recorded included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeroginosa Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marscesens and Enterobacter spp. There was an observed decrease in bacteria species with increasing dose. However, Klebsiella pneumonia persisted after the application 5 kGy dose in both packaging materials. Health and immuno compromised persons stand a greater health risk after interaction with some of these bacteria spp. Case in point, infection of patients with cystic fibrosis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to be lethal over a long period of time. Information on Enterobacteria in the food industry is essential since they are potential food poisoning agents and thus their control is imperative