MICROBIAL EVALUATION OF DOMESTIC KITCHEN SPONGE

Microbial load is ever increasing in environment that have water and air in a consistent manner. When it comes to house hold settings, kitchen is second most established place for microbial growth after wash rooms. Cleaning sponge is the prime candidate for bacterial and viral transmission and sustenance in the kitchen. The harbour many spoilage and pathogenic strains from foods. The study was devised to evaluate the bacterial communities present in domestic house hold utilized kitchen sponges. Our results confirmed many foods borne bacterial species in different concentrations. They were mostly gram positive in nature. Isolates highly virulent in nature were not found in our samples. Still the presence of Enterobacteriaceae was serious matter of concern. This study was intended to throw stress on the fact that proper guidance and awareness is mandatory regarding handling of these kitchen essential is very much the need of the hour.