ABSTRACT
Synthetic dyes used for improving foods’ aesthetics, market value and patronage have been reported to pose severe threats to human and environmental health. The attendant side effects and cost of synthetic dyes with food preservative potentials have shifted attention to the use of plant natural dyes as substitutes in food, textile and pharmaceutical applications. Therefore, this study, determined the biocidal properties of extracts of Tectona grandis, Mangifera indica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis as a preservative for Table eggs. A total of 72 eggs (4 groups) were purchased from a local poultry farm, washed, sterilized and allowed to dry. The filtrate of chicken faecal samples dissolved in buffered peptone water was used to simulate egg contamination with microorganisms for 60 minutes. A stock solution of 1.25 g/ml of the different plant extracts was prepared and sprayed on each group. The eggs were then subjected to bacteriological analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with Tukey Post hoc tests at p<0.05. All the extracts significantly reduced Staphylococcus aureus’ count. Mangifera indica, Tectona grandis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis reduced it by 83%, 85% and 78%, respectively. Klebsiella pneumoniae’s count was reduced by 63%, 20% and 8.7% at 28 days by Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Mangifera indica and Tectona grandis, respectively. Salmonella spp.’s count was reduced by 27%, 14.10% and 9.5% by Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Tectona grandis and Mangifera indica, respectively.The extracts of these plants’ species showed significant potential of preventing microbial growth in table eggs and their use in the food industry for preservative purposes should be encouraged.
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