Evaluation Of The Degree Of Contamination Of Salad Vegetables Sold In Um Uaiiia Main Market.

ABSTRACT

This research work was carried out to evaluate the degree of contamination of salad vegetables sold in Umuahia main market. Six Samples of salad vegetables (Cabbage. Carrot, Cucumber, Onions. Green peas and Green beans) were analyzed. The total viable counts ranged from 2.35x IO° to 9.50xl05 Cfu/1111 wilh highcsl incidence seen in cabbage and onions sold by vendor A. 86.66% of cabbage samples were contaminated, with the least incidence seen in green beam (33.33%).Six bacteria and five fungi were isolated. The isolates were; Swpltylococcm aureus. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aesuginosa, Bacillus sp, Enterobacter sp and Proteus sp. And the fungi isolates were Aspergillus sp, Yeast, Cladosporiuu sp, Penicillium sp, and Rhizopus sp. These results indicates that street vended salad vegetables where contaminated to an extent. therefore needs vigorous washing with safe running water before consuming to avoid food borne disease associated with consumption of contaminated food