Paper Title
Quality of Commercially Sold Yoghurt in Keffi Metropolis of Nasarawa State: A Microbiological Survey

Abstract
This study surveys the microbiological qualities of selected yoghurt samples which are sold commercially around the Keffi metropolis of Nasarawa state in Nigeria to ascertain the hygienic conditions and determine the level of safety for consumption. Samples were collected from six (6) different samples of eight (8) different brands of yoghurt sold around the metropolis were analyzed making a total count of forty eight (48) samples. The samples were analyzed for total viable count, coliform count and fungal count. All samples that were analyzed, exhibited a total viable count which ranges from 1.1 x 103 to 2.8 x 104, the coliform count ranged from 5.0 x 102 to 4.9 x 103 and the fungal count was from 2.0 x 102 and 7.9 x 103. 70% of the examined samples surpassed the approved limit for mesophilic count; all the samples examined exceeded approved limits for coliform count, 96% exceeded for filamentous fungi while E.coli was absent in all samples. The result of this survey shows that a high percentage of commercially sold brands of yoghurt are contaminated at levels exceeding the limit approved by regulatory bodies. However, pathogenic organisms were not detected in any of the samples, but the hygienic quality of the product was low and therefore must be improved upon. Keywords- Yoghurt, Fungi, Bacteria, Contaminant, Coliform