Analysis of the microbial contamination in available cosmetic products from Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the level of microbial contamination of cosmetic goods found in Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Ten samples of two distinct cosmetics: face powder (labeled as FP) and kohl (labeled as K); were obtained from merchants at Samaru Market. The samples were cultivated on nutrient agar and mannitol salt for the purposes of viable cell count, isolation, and microscopic identification. To further characterize the isolates from the agar, gram staining technique and biochemical tests (catalase, urease, indole, Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization, and methyl red test) were employed. With the exception of samples K1 and FP2, every sample had total viable bacteria. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards of less than 103 cfu/ml of bacteria load for non-eye areas were exceeded by all samples except K2 and FP1. Sample FP5 had the highest count of 3.6 x 104cfu/ml, while sample K2 had the lowest count of 1.2 x102 cfu/ml. Microscopy, revealed the isolates on mannitol salt agar as rounded, elevated, flat, small, yellowish and pinkish with short rods. The nutrient agar colonies appeared to be short rod-like, mucoid, uneven, rough, and whitish in color. The biochemical characterization of the isolates was positive for catalase, citrate, Voges Proskauer, and motility test. In conclusion, some of the face powder and kohl samples in the study are dangerous to use since Bacillus spp. were isolated with a bacterial count that was greater than the acceptable limit.