PARASITIC CONTAMINATION OF VEGETABLES SOLD IN SOME MARKETS IN MUBI ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Joel Filgona¹, Zainab B. Mshellia¹, and E. E. Akortha²

¹Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria

²Uniniversity of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Fresh vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet but if not adequate prepared, can be an agent of transmission of intestinal parasites. This study determines the parasitological contamination of some vegetables sold in markets in Mubi. Four hundred samples of vegetables analysed were for presence of intestinal parasite out of which 44.5% contamination rate was recorded. Parasitic contamination rate of Sesamum indicum was 62%, Hibiscus subdariffa 50%, Abelmeschus esculentus 48% and Lactuca sativa 44%. Parasitic prevalence rate of 28.8% were recorded for Entamoeba histolytica, 25% for Fasciola spp, Ancylostoma spp 22%, Ascaris lymbricoides 11.4%, while B coli had the lowest prevalence rate of 0.8%. The presence of parasite in vegetable underscore the fact that these vegetable could be potential source of infection, hence the need to educate consumers on the importance of good hygiene practice in handling and preparation of vegetable for consumption.

Key words: Vegetable, parasite, contamination, waste water, human intestinal parasite.