Two hundred samples of freshly formulated Kunun-zaki, a locally fermented non-alcoholic cereal beverages were obtained from local hawkers in five (5) different locations in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria and screened for enteric bacteria. They were analyzed using the Spread Plate Method. The pH of the samples ranged between 3.00 -7.50 and total bacterial count ranged between 2.0 × 10 4 -9.0×10 5 cfu/ml. The microorganisms recovered were Esherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter freundii. The frequency of the occurrence of the isolated bacteria were: Citrobacter freundii 14 (58%) Esherichia coli 3 (13%) Proteus mirabilis 5 (21%)) and Proteus vulgaris 2 (8%). The percentage of contamination in each location is as follows: Television 20%, Sabon-Tasha 15%, Mararaban-rido 12.5%, Kujama 7.5%, and Narayi 5%. There was a significant difference in the rate of contamination (P > 0.05). The presence of these bacteria may be a serious health concern as these organisms are involved in causing various diseases. Therefore, hygienic measures should be taken in processing and handling of the product being sold to general public.

Isolation of bacteria from hawked kunu-zaki Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA) (ANTEC) was employed for the isolation of bacteria for the purpose of identification. 0.1ml of

Salmonella Shigella Agar (SSA) (ANTEC) was employed for the isolation of bacteria for the purpose of identification. 0.1ml of MOJ Toxicol. 2018;4(1):26-28. 26 AbstractTwo hundred samples of Kunun-zaki, an indigenous fermented non-alcoholic beverage were obtained from hawkers in five (5) different locations in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State, Nigeria and screened for enteric bacteria. They were analyzed using Spread Plate Method. Four species of bacteria were isolated and identified by standard microbiological methods; these were Esherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter freundii. The most predominant isolates in terms of percentage occurrence were: C.freundii (100%), P.mirabilis (60%) while E.coli and P.vulgaris had the least occurrence of (20%) each respectively. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was employed for the sensitivity testing. C. freundii showed high percentage resistance to Sparfloxacin (14.29%), and the least percentage resistance were Ciprofloxacin, Pefloxacin and Tarivid (7.14%) respectively. The highest percentage resistance for P.mirabilis was Sparfloxacin (20%) while there was no resistance to the other antibiotics. For E. coli and P.vulgaris there was no resistance to any of the selected antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance pattern exhibited by C.freundii and P.mirabilis isolated from the Kunun-zaki hawked in Chikun is indicative of possible misuse of antibiotics and this has serious health implications. The results of this study demonstrate that Kunun-zaki sold in Chikun is contaminated with enteric bacteria including antibiotic resistant C.freundii and P.mirabilis and these may lead to failures in antibiotic chemotherapy among consumers of Kunun-zaki in the Chikun.