Pathogen and pesticide contamination in cabbage grown from, Dalaguete, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

Food safety is one of the long-sought problems in the world. Chemical and biological characteristics must be considered when evaluating the safety of various food products. This study aimed to assess the food safety of cabbages grown from Mantalongon, Dalaguete, Cebu. Cabbage samples acquired from three different farms in Mantalongon were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. (and other potentially pathogenic bacteria) and pesticide (cypermethrin) residues. To detect the presence of Salmonella spp., pre-enrichment and enrichment methods were done. For the analysis of cypermethrin residue, samples were subjected to gas chromatography. No putative Salmonella spp. colonies (with a black center) were isolated However, other potentially pathogenic bacteria suspected of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., or Shigella sp. were isolated Cypermethrin concentrations (0.006-0.054 mg kg-1) were within the maximum residue limit. Knowing that some vegetables are eaten raw or slightly cooked, consumers are at risk of ingesting residual amounts of pesticides and are prone to bacterial infection. Hence, the food safety of fresh vegetables should be monitored from local farms to markets.