DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i02.011

Pages: 131-134

Physicochemical and bacteriological properties of water used in Ado-Ekiti Municipal abattoir in Ekiti State, Southwestern, Nigeria and the general sanitary condition of the abattoir were assessed. Water samples from three sources; Rain, Well and Borehole used for meat processing were analyzed. Also pictures of the activities of butchers and other abattoir personnel were taken to show sanitary condition of the abattoir. Water samples were collected for the determination of pH, Temperature, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS); Total Suspended Solids (TSS); Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD); Coliforms; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Faecal streptococcus and Clostridium perfringens. The pH and Temperature for the three sources as well as the TDS and TSS for rainwater and borehole water samples were statistically similar, however values of TSS and TDS obtained for wellwater samples were significantly different(p<0.05)from other two sources.BOD for rainwater and borehole water samples were significantly different(p<0.05). Coliform values for rainwater were significantly higher than water samples collected from other two sources, also Faecal streptococcal values of wellwater and borehole were significantly different from that of rainwater (p<0.05), however there is no significant difference(p>0.05) in the values of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringes for water samples collected from the three sources. Butchers and other abattoir personnel involved in different abattoir operations were not screened to ascertain their health status which is essential for processing of wholesome meat for public consumption. There were no adequate ante mortem and post mortem inspection and animals were slaughtered on bare floor while meat were washed indiscriminately in water from the three sources. The sanitary condition of the abattoir is far from the standard recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission on food hygiene and this constitute serious public health hazard to both the abattoir