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Detection of Cryptosporidium oocyts in Commonly Consumed Fresh Salad Vegetables

Md. Jiaur Rahman1, Md. Aminul Islam Talukder2, Md. Farid Hossain1, Md. Sultan Mahomud3, M. Atikul Islam4, Md. Shamsuzzoha4,

1Department of Food Processing and Preservation, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

2Department of Agricultural chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

3Department of Food Engineering and Technology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

4Department of Chemistry, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

American Journal of Microbiological Research. 2014, 2(6), 224-226. DOI: 10.12691/ajmr-2-6-9
Published online: August 25, 2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of contamination caused by Cryptosporidium oocyts in regularly consumed salad vegetables sold at various wholesale and retail markets in northern part of Bangladesh. A total number of 165 samples of salad vegetables collected from different wholesale and retail markets were examined for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts using sucrose flotation medium of 1.18 specific gravity and Ziehl Neelsen staining technique with some modifications. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 47 (30%) of the total examined samples. About 40 Tomato, 35 Cucumber, 20 Lettuce, 35 Carrot and 35 Mint’s leaf samples were examined while Lettuce had the highest (40%) contamination rate followed by Tomato (32.5%), Carrot (31.4%), Cucumber (25.7%), and Mint’s leaf (22.8%). There was no significant difference (x2 = 2.278; p <0.05) among occurrences of Cryptosporidium oocysts in usually consumed salad vegetables sold at market. This study has shown that salad vegetables sold at wholesale and retail markets in northern part of Bangladesh are contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts, may pose a health risk to consumers of such products. This reveals food safety and significance of public health.

Keywords:

salad vegetables, Cryptosporidium oocysts, food safety, northern Bangladesh
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