The Bacteria Quality Of The Indigenously Fermented Milk Product - 'Nono' In Maiduguri Municipality, Nigeria.

Fifty samples of 'nono', a fermented milk product akin to yoghurt, were carefully collected from three markets in Maiduguri municipality, and were examined for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Twenty-eight percent of the samples were found to be contaminated with aciduric pathogenic bacteria that may cause milk-borne diseases equally in consumers. Fourteen percent of the isolates were positive for Escherichia coli . Ten percent for Staphylococcus aureus , and four percent Streptococcus pyogenes . Thirty-six samples showed no growth of any pathogenic bacteria. It is hoped that as peri-urban and rural dairy cattle get more Veterinary service and the women manufacturing the 'nono' employ better hygienic measures, the future 'nono' would be a more wholesome product, free from any pathogenic bacteria of' public health significance. By then, the Maiduguri 'nono' would have achieved international recognition. Keywords: Fermented milk, 'Nono', pathogenic bacteria