Bacterial and parasitic contaminants of salad vegetables sold in markets in Fako Division, Cameroon and evaluation of hygiene and handling practices of vendors.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Increase in awareness of the health benefits of vegetables has resulted in an increase in consumption. Many vegetables are consumed raw to retain the natural taste and heat labile nutrients. The safety of raw vegetables is a great concern. We investigated the bacteriological and parasitological quality of salad vegetables sold in three major markets in Fako Division Cameroon, the hygiene and preservation practices of vendors and determined the antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial isolates, to provide data that could be used to improve food safety and safeguard public health.

Results

Bacterial contamination was high. Mean aerobic bacteria counts ranged from 2.5 × 10⁶ to 15 × 10⁶ cfu/g, total coliform counts from 4 to >  2400/g and fecal colif

SUBMITTER: Akoachere JTK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5801804 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature