Vegetables constitute the essential part of our daily meals and serve as
the most important sources of vitamins and minerals. However, the daily
consumed vegetables have been reported to be frequently contaminated with
different helminthes and protozoan parasitic throughout the world (Adamu et
al., 2012; said, 2012; Parsani et al., 2008 Albinali et al, 2006; Kozan et al,
2005; Acha et al., 2003). The cultivation practice of vegetables, their
handling and transportation to the local markets in Ughelli-Metropolis are very
likely to cause parasitic contamination. This study was undertaken to
investigate the parasitic contamination on five different vegetables sold at
the local markets in Ughelli-Metropolis.
the most important sources of vitamins and minerals. However, the daily
consumed vegetables have been reported to be frequently contaminated with
different helminthes and protozoan parasitic throughout the world (Adamu et
al., 2012; said, 2012; Parsani et al., 2008 Albinali et al, 2006; Kozan et al,
2005; Acha et al., 2003). The cultivation practice of vegetables, their
handling and transportation to the local markets in Ughelli-Metropolis are very
likely to cause parasitic contamination. This study was undertaken to
investigate the parasitic contamination on five different vegetables sold at
the local markets in Ughelli-Metropolis.
The overall 48% prevalence of parasitic contaminations on vegetable
indicate the availability of potentials sources of contamination. The test of association is not significant at
95ci and p value > 0.05. Usually the farmers use cow during and even fowl
faces to the fields the organic manure. The foxes, pigs, and stray of dogs
frequently visit the fields and contaminate the vegetables fields. Moreover, as
the sanitary practices are still not well developed when it comes to the water
the farmers use in irrigating the vegetables and the water used to wash the
vegetables most sellers does not replace the H2O when dirty or every
day before selling for each customers more so, most vegetable retailer does not
wash the bench they use for shading the vegetable while some by mere sweeping
with broom also, allow. Fly to perch is another factor the rural people more
often defecate in the small bushes or on the dike of crop field causing direct
contamination. The rain water or irrigation system also washes these wastes and
cause contamination in the remote fields. Lost harvesting of the vegetables in
the dirty pound, canal or other stagnant water also contributes to all the
contamination of vegetables. No significant variations in overall prevalence of
contaminate in an vegetables as observed from different markets indicate the
similar sources of contamination as the vegetables are made available in the
markets from almost the same field. The high overall prevalence of parasitic
contamination on vegetables indicates an alarming high risk for the consumers
to the parasitic infections.
indicate the availability of potentials sources of contamination. The test of association is not significant at
95ci and p value > 0.05. Usually the farmers use cow during and even fowl
faces to the fields the organic manure. The foxes, pigs, and stray of dogs
frequently visit the fields and contaminate the vegetables fields. Moreover, as
the sanitary practices are still not well developed when it comes to the water
the farmers use in irrigating the vegetables and the water used to wash the
vegetables most sellers does not replace the H2O when dirty or every
day before selling for each customers more so, most vegetable retailer does not
wash the bench they use for shading the vegetable while some by mere sweeping
with broom also, allow. Fly to perch is another factor the rural people more
often defecate in the small bushes or on the dike of crop field causing direct
contamination. The rain water or irrigation system also washes these wastes and
cause contamination in the remote fields. Lost harvesting of the vegetables in
the dirty pound, canal or other stagnant water also contributes to all the
contamination of vegetables. No significant variations in overall prevalence of
contaminate in an vegetables as observed from different markets indicate the
similar sources of contamination as the vegetables are made available in the
markets from almost the same field. The high overall prevalence of parasitic
contamination on vegetables indicates an alarming high risk for the consumers
to the parasitic infections.
Of the five types of vegetables, the highest prevalence of parasitic
contamination was Tomato (80%) while the lowest was on Pumpkin (20%).
Prevalence of Bitterleaf, Okra, and Waterleaf was detected (40%), (40%) and
(20%), respectively. All the contamination of vegetables indicate various
direct faecal as well as cross contamination of the vegetables from local
domestic animals that are roaming about the markets and vegetables field at
different times. Also, it may be due use of contaminated water, basket, bench,
knives, and manure on vegetables farm for the increase of production. The
highest prevalence of parasitic contamination on Tomato could be due to
allowing fly to peach on them as most of them are not covered both day and
night and another factor could be cross
contamination from other vegetables. Moreover, the physical structure of Tomato
help parasite lodge inside for a longtime as it is big. Bitterleaf high
prevalence could be due to washing of the leaves by pond or contaminated water
in the shop or bench the Okras parasite prevalence could be that they get
soiled during post harvesting handling as well as them been handle and kept
alongside other vegetables that are contaminated. Waterleaf contamination might
be cross infection from other vegetables kept close to them as well as they
contaminated water, knives and baskets. Pumpkin prevalence is low which could
be due to its high demand in Ughelli-Metropolis local markets.
contamination was Tomato (80%) while the lowest was on Pumpkin (20%).
Prevalence of Bitterleaf, Okra, and Waterleaf was detected (40%), (40%) and
(20%), respectively. All the contamination of vegetables indicate various
direct faecal as well as cross contamination of the vegetables from local
domestic animals that are roaming about the markets and vegetables field at
different times. Also, it may be due use of contaminated water, basket, bench,
knives, and manure on vegetables farm for the increase of production. The
highest prevalence of parasitic contamination on Tomato could be due to
allowing fly to peach on them as most of them are not covered both day and
night and another factor could be cross
contamination from other vegetables. Moreover, the physical structure of Tomato
help parasite lodge inside for a longtime as it is big. Bitterleaf high
prevalence could be due to washing of the leaves by pond or contaminated water
in the shop or bench the Okras parasite prevalence could be that they get
soiled during post harvesting handling as well as them been handle and kept
alongside other vegetables that are contaminated. Waterleaf contamination might
be cross infection from other vegetables kept close to them as well as they
contaminated water, knives and baskets. Pumpkin prevalence is low which could
be due to its high demand in Ughelli-Metropolis local markets.
Seven different helminthes-parasitic namely H.nana, Taenia, Diphylolatum
latrum, strongyloides, Schistosome, Vampirolepsis names ans Direcolium were
recorded from all the five types of vegetables examined during this study.
Among the parasitic, Taenia was found in Bitterleaf, Tomato, and waterleaf,
vegetable samples. Contamination with H.nana was only detected in Bitterleaf.
Contamination of Diphylotum and Schistosome eggs were only detected in Tomatoes
vegetables. Larvae of Strongyloide were detected in only Okras vegetable
samples. Direcolium eggs were only detected in waterleaf samples only. While
vampirolepsis eggs were found in only Pumpkin samples.
latrum, strongyloides, Schistosome, Vampirolepsis names ans Direcolium were
recorded from all the five types of vegetables examined during this study.
Among the parasitic, Taenia was found in Bitterleaf, Tomato, and waterleaf,
vegetable samples. Contamination with H.nana was only detected in Bitterleaf.
Contamination of Diphylotum and Schistosome eggs were only detected in Tomatoes
vegetables. Larvae of Strongyloide were detected in only Okras vegetable
samples. Direcolium eggs were only detected in waterleaf samples only. While
vampirolepsis eggs were found in only Pumpkin samples.
Load of parasitic contamination on different vegetable was found to vary
among the five markets investigated. It was noted the load of helminth
parasitic was the lowest in Agbarho, Agbarha, Orogun, Ughelli, and Ofuoma
market compared to the rest markets. The low prevalence of helminthes parasite
detected in Agbarho, Agbarha, Orogun, Ughelli and Ofuoma could be due to the
fact that has small size of market and quantity of vegetables sold are less
than the other markets. Thus, cross contamination will be lower even though the
hygienic levels is a bit low. It was noted that Ughelli and Ofuoma markets
parasitic prevalence is higher than the rest three markets. Ughelli market
parasitic prevalence could be because of its big size and as such is high. Also
the numbers of vegetable slide are many that could bring high cross
contamination. While Ofuoma parasitic contamination could be that, those
vegetables are kept outside on the bench without them been covered both day and
night also, there could also be a cross contamination from vegetables kept on
same bench.
among the five markets investigated. It was noted the load of helminth
parasitic was the lowest in Agbarho, Agbarha, Orogun, Ughelli, and Ofuoma
market compared to the rest markets. The low prevalence of helminthes parasite
detected in Agbarho, Agbarha, Orogun, Ughelli and Ofuoma could be due to the
fact that has small size of market and quantity of vegetables sold are less
than the other markets. Thus, cross contamination will be lower even though the
hygienic levels is a bit low. It was noted that Ughelli and Ofuoma markets
parasitic prevalence is higher than the rest three markets. Ughelli market
parasitic prevalence could be because of its big size and as such is high. Also
the numbers of vegetable slide are many that could bring high cross
contamination. While Ofuoma parasitic contamination could be that, those
vegetables are kept outside on the bench without them been covered both day and
night also, there could also be a cross contamination from vegetables kept on
same bench.
