Evaluation Of The Degree Of Contamination Of Salad Vegetables Sold In Umuahia 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 2.3Sx I 0~ to 9.S0x 10 5 Cfu/ml with highest incidence seen in cabbage and onions sold by vendor A. 86.66% of cabbage samples were contaminated. with the least incidence seen in green bean (33.33%).Six bacteria and live fungi were isolated. The isolates were; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aesuginosa, Bacillus sp, Enterobacter sp and Proteus sp. And the fungi isolates were Aspergillus sp. Y'east, Cladosporium 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 lo avoid food borne disease associated with consumption of contaminated food.