scholarly journals Irrigation water quality and its impact on the physicochemical and microbiological contamination of vegetables produced from market gardening: a case of the Vea Irrigation Dam, U.E.R., Ghana

Author(s):  
Nang Biyogue Douti ◽  
Ebenezer Ebo Yahans Amuah ◽  
Samuel Kojo Abanyie ◽  
Prince Amanin-Ennin

Abstract The rationale for this study was to assess the physicochemical and bacteriological qualities of the Vea irrigation water and resultant effects on the quality of fresh vegetables produced in the area and associated implications for consumers’ health. A total of 45 water samples were collected from the reservoir and canals. Also, 16 vegetable samples comprising four samples each of tomatoes, carrots, spring onions, and cabbages were collected from four farms with installed irrigation systems fed by the Vea Dam. The irrigation water samples were analyzed for total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC), Escherichia coli, pH, and turbidity, while the samples of vegetables were analyzed for TC and FC, and E. coli. The results showed that except for pH, the bacterial loads and turbidity of the sampled vegetables and irrigation water were above the standards of the WHO and the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food. Comparatively, the samples of cabbage recorded the highest levels of microbial contamination. The study suggests that the water should be treated before being used for irrigation; consumers should ensure that vegetables are properly washed and cooked/treated before consumption; and periodic monitoring and assessment should be done to ensure that the adverse effects of these activities are forestalled.

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Harumi Niguma ◽  
Jacinta Sanchez Pelayo ◽  
Tereza Cristina Rocha Moreira de Oliveira

The aims of this study were to evaluate the contamination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), produced in Londrina, Paraná (PR), with total coliform, coliform at 45 °C, E. coli, and Salmonella spp.; and to determine the E. coli contamination of irrigation water used at the farms studied. Four farms were evaluated, of which three produced lettuce using a conventional system and one using an organic system. An evaluation of the production practices of the farms was also carried out. A total of 111 samples were analyzed, 71 lettuce samples from the conventional system and 40 samples from the organic system. A total of eight irrigation water samples were collected for analysis. Coliform at 45 °C counts above the limit tolerated by Brazilian legislation were observed in 2.8% (2/71) of conventionally grown lettuce samples, and Salmonella spp. was isolated in 1.4% (1/71) of those samples. In the organic lettuce samples, 12.5% (5/40) had coliform at 45 °C counts above the limit tolerated and Salmonella spp. was not detected. Irrigation water samples from three farms were unsatisfactory, with counts higher than 102MPN of E. coli per 100mL. The results of this study demonstrate that most conventionally grown lettuce samples show good sanitary conditions in production, and that lettuce contamination is not related to contamination found in irrigation water samples. The results also showed that the organic production practices required by Brazilian certification agencies should be applied to ensure that contamination of produced lettuce remains controlled.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 698-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidhi Sharma ◽  
Rahul Kumar ◽  
Ramesh C. Sharma

AbstractWater quality of the sacred River Bhagirathi was evaluated by microbiological and physico-chemical characteristics of water. Monthly water samples were collected from the upper zone (1,158–4,100 m a.s.l.) to lower zone (457–1,158 m a.s.l.) of the river for a period of two years during October, 2013 to September, 2015. The data on microbial density revealed that CFU count was minimum (13,185 CFU. ml−1) in the winter season and maximum (36,410 CFU.ml−1) in the monsoon season, when the degradation of water quality was maximum due to mixing of a large amount of allochthonous materials from the catchment area. No total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) was found in the water samples from Gaumukh (4,100 m) to Gangotri (3,140 m) during the two-year sampling period due to minimum anthropogenic pressure. However, total coliform and fecal coliform were recorded downstream of Gangotri (TC: 980 and FC: 120) and Harshil (TC: 1,100 and FC: 200). Microbial density was recorded to be high in the lower stretch: Uttarkashi (TC: 2,850 and FC: 860) Tehri (TC: 5,000 and FC: 4,200), and Deoprayag (TC: 3,800 and FC: 2,700). A total of 14 bacterial, four actinomycetes, and 11 fungal species were found in the Bhagirathi River.


Author(s):  
Ibraheem Ismail Shabbaje Ibraheem Ismail Shabbaje

This research was conducted to follow up the microbial contamination samples of some seasoning salad samples collected twice monthly for three months from twelve locations representing six districts in Jeddah. It was found that the counts of microbial groups (total viable bacteria, total coliform, fecal coliform, Salmonella and Staphylococcus) in the sample taken at rush hours were higher than those collected at calm time of selling. Also the highest means of all studied microbial groups were found in the samples taken from traditional locations at calm time of selling. The highest mean of total viable bacterial count (169600 cfu/gm) was found in the samples of Mashrafa District in the first sampling month. Whereas, the highest means of total coliform group (80866 cfu/gm) and fecal coliform group (28633 cfu/gm) were found in the samples taken from traditional locations in Guesa at the first sampling month and in Al-Rwaubi district at the second sampling month, respectively. On the other hand, Samples' means of from traditional locations taken from Al-Rehab district at the third month of sampling (35500 cfu/gm) and from the same district at the second sampling month (25000 cfu/gm) represented Salmonella and staphylococcus groups, respectively. It is recommended to take care about purchasing of ready to eat food and the direct eating or cold preservation until using to avoid food infection or poisoning.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENNETH C. SHENGE ◽  
CLEMENT M. Z. WHONG ◽  
LYDIA L. YAKUBU ◽  
RAPHAEL A. OMOLEHIN ◽  
J. MARK ERBAUGH ◽  
...  

Although recent reports indicated that produce contamination with foodborne pathogens is widespread in Nigeria, the sources and magnitude of microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms and in markets have not been thoroughly identified. To ascertain possible pathways of contamination, the frequency and magnitude of coliform and Escherichia coli contamination of tomatoes produced in northwest Nigeria was assessed on farms and in markets. Eight hundred twenty-six tomato fruit samples and 36 irrigation water samples were collected and assessed for fecal indicator organisms. In addition, the awareness and use of food safety practices by tomato farmers and marketers were determined. Median concentration of coliforms on all field- and market-sourced tomato fruit samples, as well as in irrigation water sources, in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states exceeded 1,000 most probable number (MPN) per g. Median E. coli counts from 73 (17%) of 420 field samples and 231 (57%) of 406 market tomato fruit samples exceeded 100 MPN/g. Median E. coli concentrations on tomato fruits were higher (P < 0.01) in the rainy season (2.45 Log MPN/g), when irrigation was not practiced than in the dry (1.10 Log MPN/g) and early dry (0.92 Log MPN/g) seasons. Eighteen (50%) of 36 irrigation water samples had E. coli counts higher than 126 MPN/100 ml. Median E. coli contamination on market tomato fruit samples (2.66 Log MPN/g) were higher (P < 0.001) than those from tomatoes collected on farms (0.92 Log MPN/g). Farmers and marketers were generally unaware of the relationship between food safety practices and microbial contamination on fresh produce. Good agricultural practices pertaining to food safety on farms and in local markets were seldom used. Adoption of food safety practices on-farm, during transport, and during marketing could improve the microbial quality of tomatoes available to the public in this region of the world.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Nafarnda ◽  
I. E. Ajayi ◽  
J. C. Shawulu ◽  
M. S. Kawe ◽  
G. K. Omeiza ◽  
...  

Bacteriological characteristics of abattoir effluents (wastewater), abattoir water source, and water bodies receiving abattoir wastewater were investigated in Abuja, Nigeria using the multiple-tube fermentation technique. Source of water to the abattoirs and the usage of water bodies receiving abattoir effluents were determined using questionnaires. Bacterial counts ranged from 4.8 × 106 to 5.8 × 105 /100 mL of total coliform (TC), 8.2 × 104 to 3.2 × 104/100 mL of Fecal coliform (FC), 5.2 × 104 to 2.0 × 104/100 mL of Fecal streptococcus and 1.2 × 104 to 2.0 × 103/100 mL of Escherichia coli for abattoir effluents 6.6 × 105 to 6.0 × 105/100 mL of TC, 6.2 × 104 to 1.8 × 104/100 mL of FC, 1.8 × 104 to 6.0 × 103/100 mL of F. streptococcus, and 4.8 × 103 to 6.6 × 102/100 mL of E. coli for water bodies receiving abattoir effluents 100 m downstream. TC bacteria counts for abattoir effluents exceeded recommended limit for discharge into surface water in Nigeria. No significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between bacterial counts of abattoir effluents and receiving water bodies 100 m downstream: an indication of contamination of receiving water bodies by abattoir effluents and possible public and environmental health hazards.


Author(s):  
Xiaohong Wei ◽  
Shuiping Hou ◽  
Xinhong Pan ◽  
Conghui Xu ◽  
Juntao Li ◽  
...  

This study quantified the association of rodent fruit damage and the microbiological quality of irrigation water on the risk of microbiological contamination of strawberries collected from 18 U-pick farms across five different districts in the Guangzhou metropolitan region of southern China. Fifty-four composite strawberries samples, with or without evidence of rodent or avian foraging damage (i.e., bitten), along with 16 irrigation water samples, were collected during the spring of 2014 and winter of 2015 from our cohort of 18 farms. Composite strawberry samples and irrigation water were analyzed for total coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, E. coli O157, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Total coliforms and E. coli were detected in 100% and ~90% of irrigation water samples, respectively. In contrast, Cryptosporidium was detected in only two water samples, while Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Giardia were not detected in any water samples. Strawberries with signs of being bitten by wildlife had significantly higher concentrations of total coliforms and E. coli, compared to strawberries with no physical evidence of rodent damage (p < 0.001). Similarly, Cryptosporidium was detected in 7/18 (39%) of bitten, 4/18 (22%) of edge, and 5/18 (28%) of central strawberry samples, respectively. Concentration of E. coli on strawberries (p < 0.001), air temperature (p = 0.025), and presence of Cryptosporidium in irrigation water (p < 0.001) were all associated with the risk of Cryptosporidium contamination on strawberries. Salmonella and Giardia were detected in <4% strawberry samples and E. coli O157 was not detected in any samples. These results indicate the potential food safety and public health risks of consuming unwashed strawberries from U-pick farms, and the need for improved rodent biosecurity of U-pick strawberry fields and enhanced microbiological quality of irrigation water used at these facilities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-119
Author(s):  
Lela Uyara ◽  
Pieter Kunu ◽  
Silwanus M Talakua

The study aims to determine the quality of clean water in the villages of Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu and Halong by comparing the result of water quality analysis with water quality standard. Water quality analysis includes Physiscal, Chemical, and Microbiological parameters. This research uses descriptive method, this method describes systematics, accurate about facts and characteristic of the quality of clean water of each research location. The results showed that the source of clean water in the village of Batumerah did not meet the standard of clean water quality standards indicated by the number of E. coli and the high total coliform.  Keywords: standard quality of clean water, water quality, Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu and Halong villages   ABSTRAK Penelitian yang bertujuan untuk menetapkan kualitas air bersih di Desa Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu dan Halong, dengan membandingkan hasil analisis kualitas air dengan standar baku mutu air bersih. Analisis kualitas air meliputi parameter fisika, kimia dan mikrobiologi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif; metode ini menggambarkan sicara sistematis, akurat, fakta dan karakteristik mengenai kualitas air bersih di masing-masing lokasi penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sumber air bersih di Desa Batumerah tidak memenuhi standar baku mutu air bersih yang ditunjukkan oleh jumlah E. coli dan total Koliform yang tinggi. Kata Kunci: baku mutu air bersih, Desa Wainitu, Batumerah, Amahusu dan Halong, kualitas air


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 239-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Emparanza-Knörr ◽  
Francisco Torrella

The Salmonella presence and the microbiological quality indicators, total and fecal coliforms and coliphages of E. coli C, have been studied in a overloaded wastewater lagoon system treating urban wastewatrers of the village of Guardamar del Segura (Alicante, Spain). Classical microbiological technology to detect salmonellae was used, including pre-enrichment, enrichment, selective media plating and biochemical and serological confirmation. Water was physicochemically characterized according to COD, SS, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen. The selective migration step through Rappaport-Vassiliadis semisolid agar medium was essential for the consistent detection of Salmonella in the different lagoon effluents. Total and fecal coliform levels of up to 105-106 MPN/100 ml were detected in the final effluent. High coliphage concentrations of 103-104 pfu/ml were also found in the effluent waters. Salmonella was always detected in 100 ml samples and eventually reached an order of value of 103 MPN/100 ml. Total coliform reduction was higher in the anaerobic ponds whereas fecal coliforms were more efficiently eliminated in the facultative (mostly “anoxic”) lagoons. Coliphage reduction was higher in the facultative lagoons when compared to the anaerobic ponds. On many occasions, no reduction or eventual increment of the concentration of salmonellae was detected in the effluents from the anaerobic ponds compared to concentrations of the patohogen in the influent raw wasterwaters. The possibility exists for a capacity of Salmonella to multiply in the anoxic phase of the wastewater treatment, but the presence of microorganisms in raw sewage waters which could maskSalmonella detection with the enrichment methodology employed cannot be ruled out.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Kyayesimira ◽  
Wangalwa Rapheal ◽  
Grace Kagoro Rugunda ◽  
Lejju Julius Bunny ◽  
Morgan Andama ◽  
...  

Abstract Background If hygiene practices along the beef processing nodes at small and medium enterprise (SME) slaughter houses and butcheries are not observed, they may pose a health risk due to microbial contamination. In SME slaughterhouses and butcheries, the risk may be higher due to transmission of foodborne pathogens. This study determined the hygienic practices and microbial quality risk among meat handlers (MH) in SME slaughterhouses and butcheries. Methods Assessment of microbiological quality of beef was carried out at slaughter houses and butcher shops in the districts of Western, Central and Eastern regions of Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2017 to January 2018 using observation checklists to record unhygienic practices among the various actors. Microbial load at slaughter and butchery was determined from a total of 317 swab samples collected from carcass, tools, protective clothing and hands of meat handlers. The microbiological quality of beef was evaluated using standard microbiological methods. The samples were inoculated into differential and selective media. Results Butcheries had the highest microbial load on beef carcass ranging from 4.76 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 7.90 log 10 cfu/cm 2 Total Viable Counts (TVC) while Total Coliform Counts (TCC) ranged from 1.42 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 3.05 log 10 cfu/cm 2 , E. coli ranged from 0.68 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 1.06 log 10 cfu/cm 2 and Staphylococcus aureus ranged from 3.25 log 10 cfu/cm 2 to 4.84 log 10 cfu/cm 2 . Salmonella was absent in all the samples analysed. Results of overall microbial quality of beef in Uganda indicated that only TCC (1.60±0.26 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) of the beef carcass samples at slaughter houses was not significantly above the safe level (p = 0.693). Overall microbial load (TVC, TCC, E. coli and S. aureus ) at butcheries were significantly (p < 0.05) above the safe level. Butcheries of Mbale district had the highest percentage (70%) of beef carcass samples above the TCC safe levels whereas butcheries of Mbarara district had the highest percentage (40%) of beef carcass samples above the E. coli safe levels. TVC from hands and clothes at butchery across the three study districts varied significantly (p=0.007) with the highest counts (7.23 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) recorded from personnel clothes and lowest (5.46 log 10 cfu/cm 2 ) recorded from hands. On the other hand, swab samples picked from chopping board and working table at the butchery did not show significant variation in TVC, TCC, E. coli and S. aureus microbial loads across the three study districts. Conclusion Hygienic handling of carcasses after slaughter is critical in preventing contamination and ensuring meat safety in informal meat trading sectors in Uganda. Handling practices of beef at Ugandan slaughterhouses and butcheries are not hygienic hence not up to standard and they contribute to microbial contamination of beef posing a risk to consumers. The distribution stage is the most critical period, during which the quality of meat can easily be compromised.


Author(s):  
Nesrin Kaval ◽  
Nilgün Öncül ◽  
Zeliha Yıldırım

In this study, the microbiological quality of traditionally produced Bez Sucuk in Tokat and its vicinity was investigated. For this purpose, 30 Bez Sucuk samples obtained from butchers, producers of Bez Sucuk, were analyzed for total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts-moulds, total coliform, fecal coliform, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Cl. perfringens. Also, the presence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were investigated in all samples. pH and water activity of the samples were determined. As the result of the analysis, the counts of the microbiological parameters investigated were found as follows: total mesophilic aerobic bacteria 3.5×106-4.23×109 CFU/g, lactic acid bacteria 5.55×105-2.45×109 CFU/g, yeasts and moulds 2.50×103-6.90×109 CFU/g, total coliform


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document