Prevalence of Geohelminths Contamination of Selected Fruits and Vegetables in Maiduguri Metropolis Borno State

Abstract

Contamination of raw fruits and vegetables with geohelminth eggs or larvae can occur when the produce comes into contact with contaminated soil, water, or fertilizer during growth or post-harvest handling. This research aimed to isolate geohelminths that transmit intestinal parasitic infections to humans from vegetables and fruits in some selected markets in Maiduguri (including Gamboru kasuwa, Monday market, University commercial, and Tashan Bama) Borno state. The selected fruits were Cucums sativus, Solanum lycoperscum, and Solanum melongena. The selected vegetables also were Brassca oleraca, Daucus carota, Allium cepa, Euruca sativa, and Amaranthus viridis. Four (4) samples were collected for each fruit and vegetable from different vendors per location, giving 128 samples. The samples of vegetables and fruits were collected for two weeks to allow different batches of produce to the market. Solanum lycoperscum and Euruca sativa had the highest levels of 70% and 26% soil-helminths contaminations, respectively. The most prevalent geohelminths in vegetables and fruits were A. lumbricoides, with a percentage occurrence of 54.5% in fruits and 59.7% in vegetables. Produce from markets in Gamboru had the highest levels of 63.6% and 53.2% contaminations in fruits and vegetables, respectively. Soil helminths in vegetables and fruits can be prevented or eliminated by effectively removing human and animal waste, using properly treated organic manure/wastewater and effluents as fertilizers for irrigation, thoroughly washing and cooking fruits and vegetables, and training food vendors on food safety practices.