Identification of Escherichia spp. strains in street-vended beverages and associated preparation surfaces using 16S rRNA analysis

Abstract

Street-vended beverages are commonly prepared by mechanical extraction of the pulp, usually unpasteurised and requires multiple handling steps. Foodborne pathogens transmitted via skin of street vendors or via faecal-oral route may contaminate the preparation surfaces and beverages. The aim of this study is to identify Escherichia spp. strains of street-vended beverages and their associated preparation surfaces using 16s rRNA analysis. The hygienic practice of vendors
was represented by Staphylococcus spp. analysis and Staphylococcus aureus is not detected in beverages and associated preparation surfaces. A total of 80 samples (18 beverages, 15 swab samples and 47 direct film samples) were collected followed by enumeration of microbial load. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification and 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing were carried out. Results of 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that three gramnegative
isolates were identified as Escherichia coli RM9387 (Accession no. CP009104.1), Escherichia coli c164 (Accession no. JQ781646.1) and Escherichia fergusonii E10 (Accession no. KJ626264.1) with similarity value of 99% respectively.