Detection of Health Risk Indicators Related to the Consumption of Cola nitida Nuts in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

The production and marketing of kola nuts are affected by health-related constraints despite their socio-economic and cultural importance. This study aimed to identify health risk indicators associated with Cola nitida nuts consumed in Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 150 nuts, comprising 75 red and 75 white varieties, were examined. Microbiological and biochemical methods were used to isolate and identify microorganisms, and antibiotic resistance was assessed using the Mueller-Hinton agar diffusion method. Overall bacterial and fungal contamination rates were 60.7% and 78.0%, respectively. Red nuts showed bacterial and fungal contamination rates of 64.0% and 88.0%, compared with 57.33% and 68.0% in white nuts. The bacterial species detected, in descending prevalence, were Escherichia coli (28%), Clostridium perfringens (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (25%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20%). The fungal contaminants detected were Aspergillus flavus (24%), Candida sp. (23%), Aspergillus niger (15%), Aspergillus fumigatus (14%), Rhizopus stolonifer (8%), Mucor sp. (8%), and Fusarium oxysporum (8%). The isolated P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli strains showed varying levels of antibiotic resistance, including resistance to ticarcillin, ciprofloxacin, cefoxitin, oxacillin, and amoxicillin. These findings indicate the presence of bacterial and fungal contaminants, including antibiotic-resistant strains, in sampled C. nitida nuts. Monitoring and hygiene control throughout the kola nut supply chain are therefore warranted to reduce potential consumer exposure.