A vegetable is the part of a
plant that is used in cooking or can be eaten raw. They are different from
fruits, that vegetables don’t have seeds. Vegetables are often consumed as
salads or cooked as part of a side dish or meal. A person who does not eat meat is considered a
Vegetarian because they often eat vegetables and fruits. The informal word for
vegetable is Veggies(My Plant Moment, 2016).
plant that is used in cooking or can be eaten raw. They are different from
fruits, that vegetables don’t have seeds. Vegetables are often consumed as
salads or cooked as part of a side dish or meal. A person who does not eat meat is considered a
Vegetarian because they often eat vegetables and fruits. The informal word for
vegetable is Veggies(My Plant Moment, 2016).
Vegetable are essential for
good health and they form a major component of human diet in every family. They
are vital energy contributors that are depended upon by all levels of human as
food supplement or nutrient (Duckworth et
al., 1996).Many vegetables are good sources of Vitamin C, Carotene, and
Mineral elements such as Vitamins including Thiamine, Vitamin B12,Niacin and
Riboflovin (Frazier et al.,
1988).Although raw-eaten fruits and vegetables have primary role in the diet
,they can cause food-diseases if they are contaminated. The consumption of raw vegetables
without proper washing is an important route in transmission of parasitic
diseases(Slifko et al.,2000).
good health and they form a major component of human diet in every family. They
are vital energy contributors that are depended upon by all levels of human as
food supplement or nutrient (Duckworth et
al., 1996).Many vegetables are good sources of Vitamin C, Carotene, and
Mineral elements such as Vitamins including Thiamine, Vitamin B12,Niacin and
Riboflovin (Frazier et al.,
1988).Although raw-eaten fruits and vegetables have primary role in the diet
,they can cause food-diseases if they are contaminated. The consumption of raw vegetables
without proper washing is an important route in transmission of parasitic
diseases(Slifko et al.,2000).
There had been an increase
in the number of reported case of food-borne illness linked to fresh vegetables
.Globally, it is estimated that 3.5 billion people are affected and that 450
millions are sick from intestinal parasite infections, with an estimated 20,000
deaths annually. Several factors may contribute to contamination of crops. They
become contaminated while still on the plants fields, orchards or during
harvesting, transporting, processing, distribution and marketing or even at
home. In many developing countries, use of insufficient treated wastewater to
irrigate vegetables has been reported to be responsible for a high rate of contamination
with pathogenic parasites (Wapkid, 2009;
Mahvi et al., 2006).
in the number of reported case of food-borne illness linked to fresh vegetables
.Globally, it is estimated that 3.5 billion people are affected and that 450
millions are sick from intestinal parasite infections, with an estimated 20,000
deaths annually. Several factors may contribute to contamination of crops. They
become contaminated while still on the plants fields, orchards or during
harvesting, transporting, processing, distribution and marketing or even at
home. In many developing countries, use of insufficient treated wastewater to
irrigate vegetables has been reported to be responsible for a high rate of contamination
with pathogenic parasites (Wapkid, 2009;
Mahvi et al., 2006).
Changes in lifestyle, food
consumption patterns, such as increase in the number of people eating meals
prepared in restaurants, canteens and fast food outlet as well as from street
food vendors who do not always respect food safety increase the risk of
exposure to food-borne infection. In developing countries especially West
Africa like Nigeria, because of inadequate or even non-existent systems for
routine diagnosis and monitoring or reporting for many of the food borne
pathogens, most outbreaks caused by contaminated vegetables remain
underestimated(WHO,2002; Dorny et al.,
2009).
consumption patterns, such as increase in the number of people eating meals
prepared in restaurants, canteens and fast food outlet as well as from street
food vendors who do not always respect food safety increase the risk of
exposure to food-borne infection. In developing countries especially West
Africa like Nigeria, because of inadequate or even non-existent systems for
routine diagnosis and monitoring or reporting for many of the food borne
pathogens, most outbreaks caused by contaminated vegetables remain
underestimated(WHO,2002; Dorny et al.,
2009).
Ughelli-North Local
Government Area is under a renowned state in Nigeria called Delta State. This
area comprises of a very large population with few farmers. Farmers from this area
have his/her own method of planting, cultivating, harvesting, storing, transporting
and marketing. Some farmers take their harvest directly to their surrounding
markets while some sell at wholesale at their farmlands.
Government Area is under a renowned state in Nigeria called Delta State. This
area comprises of a very large population with few farmers. Farmers from this area
have his/her own method of planting, cultivating, harvesting, storing, transporting
and marketing. Some farmers take their harvest directly to their surrounding
markets while some sell at wholesale at their farmlands.
Moreover, these fields are
often visited by the stray of Dogs, Cats, Fowls, Goats, Cows, Pigs, Rats and
other wild animals .Therefore, it is very likely that these raw vegetables could be a source of
parasitic contamination to human beings. However, until now there had been no
study to access the parasitic contamination on raw vegetables at around markets
in Ughelli-North Local Government Area.
often visited by the stray of Dogs, Cats, Fowls, Goats, Cows, Pigs, Rats and
other wild animals .Therefore, it is very likely that these raw vegetables could be a source of
parasitic contamination to human beings. However, until now there had been no
study to access the parasitic contamination on raw vegetables at around markets
in Ughelli-North Local Government Area.
Considering the importance
of parasitic infection on human health, it is of prime importance to determine
whether the available and daily handled and consumed vegetables are
contaminated with parasites or not.
of parasitic infection on human health, it is of prime importance to determine
whether the available and daily handled and consumed vegetables are
contaminated with parasites or not.