Nutrient Composition and Microbiological Evaluation of Vended Street Foods in Parts of Lagos State, Nigeria

The presence of microbiological pathogens and proximate composition of vended street foods (VSF) in parts of Lagos State were investigated. The experiment was conducted along 3 local government areas of Lagos State (Marina, Apapa and Yaba) using two factorial design. Eight VSF products investigated were roasted (plantain, fish, yam, corn), suya, meat pie, egg roll and doughnuts, purchased from parts of Lagos State. The result for proximate analysis of VSF sourced from Marina, Yaba and Apapa showed that moisture content ranged from 4.81% to 28.56% for Suya from Yaba and roasted plantain from Apapa. Moisture content of roasted plantain from Apapa was significantly different (P<0.05) and higher than those from Yaba and Marina. Moisture content of roasted plantain, roasted fish, suya, meat pie and doughnut from the three different stations (Marina, Yaba and Apapa) were significantly different (P<0.05) with respect to food type. Ash, fat, protein, crude fibre and carbohydrate content ranged from 1.15% – 4.66%, 0.40% – 24.54%, 0.08 – 54.45%, 0.10 – 6.85% and 47.60 – 88.99%, respectively. Significantly higher protein value of 54.45% was seen in suya from Yaba. Suya samples from Apapa (SMA) gave high crude fibre of 6.85% while significantly (P<0.05) high carbohydrate of 88.99%, 87.85% and 87.51% were seen in roasted yam samples from Marina, Apapa and Yaba. Total bacteria count ranged from 3.05 log10CFU/g as seen in egg roll from Apapa to 3.83 log10CFU/g as noticed in roasted fish from Yaba. Total Fungi count ranged from 2.00 log10CFU/g – 2.60 log10CFU/g. Fungi load in roasted (plantain, fish and yam) sourced from Apapa were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from Marina and Yaba. The energy value ranged from 255.27kcal/100g to 456.90kcal/100g, with suya sourced from Marina and Yaba were significantly different (P<0.05). The presence of high Bacteria and Fungi load in vended foods requires the attention of public health officers.