Investigating the Effect of Four Different Washing and Disinfection Methods on Parasitic Contamination of Vegetables

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

2 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

3 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran

10.34172/jhad.1175

Abstract

Background: Raw vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, but when consumed without proper washing, they can serve as carriers of parasitic infection. An experimental study was conducted in Bushehr to investigate the parasitic contamination of raw vegetables and the effect of four different washing methods on their contamination.
Methods: A total of 299 fresh vegetable samples from 10 types of leafy and salad vegetables, including parsley (30), leeks (30), mint (30), basil (30), cress (30), radishes (29), purslane (30), lettuce (30), green bell peppers (30), and edible mushrooms (30), were purchased from 23 vegetable and fruit wholesale or retail stores located in different geographical areas of Bushehr city during three different seasons (2017–2018). The samples were divided into two groups: one was left unwashed (method 1), and the other was washed using a traditional washing method (method 2). Microscopic examination for the presence of parasites was performed on a direct wet mount. Then, positive samples were further subjected to a 3-Step washing method (water, detergent, water—method 3) and a 4-Step standard washing method (water, detergent, disinfectant, water—method 4), respectively. Parasitic contamination was investigated in the samples washed using all methods.
Results: Of the 299 examined samples, parasites were observed in 8.4% of the unwashed samples and 3% of the traditional washing method samples, and not in samples after washing with methods 3 and 4. A significant relationship was found between parasitic contamination and washing methods. All types of vegetables tested had at least one parasitic contamination. The highest rate of parasitic contamination was found in cress (20%), and the lowest contamination was found in leeks (3.3%). The highest rates of seasonal parasitic contamination were found in autumn (12.8%).
Conclusion: Parasitological contamination in unwashed and traditionally washed raw vegetables may pose health risks to consumers. Public education on proper vegetable washing methods is recommended to raise community awareness about the health risks associated with consuming unwashed or inadequately washed contaminated raw vegetables.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Abougrain AK, Nahaisi MH, Madi NS, Saied MM, Ghenghesh KS. Parasitological contamination in salad vegetables in Tripoli-Libya. Food Control. 2010;21(5):760-2. doi: 1016/j.foodcont.2009.11.005.
  2. El-Said D. Detection of parasites in commonly consumed raw vegetables. Alex J Med. 2012;48(4):345-52. doi: 1016/j.ajme.2012.05.005.
  3. Mohamed MA, Siddig EE, Elaagip AH, Edris AM, Nasr AA. Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold at central markets in Khartoum state, Sudan. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2016;15:17. doi: 1186/s12941-016-0133-5.
  4. Almasi A, Dargahi A, Sadeghi E, Safaipour N. Different disinfectants efficiency of fruits and vegetables available in market of Kermanshah. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2013;15(12):45.
  5. Erdoğrul O, Şener H. The contamination of various fruit and vegetable with Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris eggs, Entamoeba histolyca cysts and Giardia Food Control. 2005;16(6):557-60. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2004.06.016.
  6. Robertson LJ, Troell K, Woolsey ID, Kapel CM. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms as transmission vehicles for Echinococcus multilocularis in Europe: inferences and concerns from sample analysis data from Poland. Parasitol Res. 2016;115(6):2485-8. doi: 1007/s00436-016-5015-4.
  7. Yarahmadi M, Yunesian M, Pourmand M, Shahsavani A, Mubedi I, Nomanpour B, et al. Evaluating the efficiency of lettuce disinfection according to the official protocol in Iran. Iran J Public Health. 2012;41(3):95-103.
  8. Adamu NB, Adamu JY, Mohammed D. Prevalence of helminth parasites found on vegetables sold in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. Food Control. 2012;25(1):23-6. doi: 1016/j.foodcont.2011.10.016.
  9. Gupta N, Khan DK, Santra SC. Prevalence of intestinal helminth eggs on vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated areas of Titagarh, West Bengal, India. Food Control. 2009;20(10):942-5. doi: 1016/j.foodcont.2009.02.003.
  10. Fallah AA, Pirali-Kheirabadi K, Shirvani F, Saei-Dehkordi SS. Prevalence of parasitic contamination in vegetables used for raw consumption in Shahrekord, Iran: Influence of season and washing procedure. Food Control. 2012;25(2):617-20. doi: 1016/j.foodcont.2011.12.004.
  11. Azadbakht M, Ziaee H, Yousefi Z, Shabankhani B, Mehralian AA. Evaluation of Chubak aqueous extract in parasite decontamination on vegetables and comparison with commercial detergent in Sari. J Med Plants. 2005;4(15):51-8. [Persian].
  12. Vegetables Sanitizing Protocol. 2019. Available from: http://markazsalamat.behdasht.gov.ir/uploads/salemsazi_sabzijat-new-pic[1].pdf.
  13. Ahmad SO, El Fadaly HA, Zaki MS, Barakat AM. Incidence of zoonotic parasites in Egyptian raw vegetable salads. Life Sci J. 2016;13(2):27-31.
  14. Losio MN, Pavoni E, Bilei S, Bertasi B, Bove D, Capuano F, et al. Microbiological survey of raw and ready-to-eat leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol. 2015;210:88-91. doi: 1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.05.026.
  15. Abdi J, Farhadi M, Aghace S, Sayehmiri K. Parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Sci. 2014;14(3):137-42. doi: 3923/jms.2014.137.142.
  16. Sahebani N, Foladvand MA, Dalimi AH, Rahbar A, Ghafarian H. Intestinal parasites contamination of vegetables in Bushehr port. Iran South Med J. 1999;1(2):59-63. [Persian].
  17. Irrigation of 75 Percent of Agricultural Lands in Bushehr Province Using Traditional Methods-News Code: 1145533. IRIB News Agency; 2016. [Persian].
  18. Jafari M, Sadeghipour A, Azarnivand H, Fakhri F, Kamali N. Effects of unwise agriculture on desertification (case study: Dashti region of Boushehr province). Iran J Nat Resour. 2008;61(1):201-9. [Persian].
  19. Arfaeinia H, Ranjbar Vakil Abadi D, Seifi M, Asadgol Z, Hashemi SE. Study of concentrations and risk assessment of heavy metals resulting from the consumption of agriculture product in different farms of Dayyer city, Bushehr. Iran South Med J. 2016;19(5):839-54. [Persian].
  20. Cheshmazar E, Arfaeinia H, Karimyan K, Sharafi H, Hashemi SE. Dataset for effect comparison of irrigation by wastewater and ground water on amount of heavy metals in soil and vegetables: accumulation, transfer factor and health risk assessment. Data Brief. 2018;18:1702-10. doi: 1016/j.dib.2018.04.108.
  21. Salehi R, Javanpour R. Vegetable crop production in Iran. Chron Horticult. 2008;48(4):15-8.
  22. Amin Shahidi M, Fani F, Firoozian N, Rafaatpour N. An investigation of the contamination of vegetables and the irrigating water with bacteria causing food-borne and water-borne diseases in different areas of the city of Shiraz in the summer 95. J Adv Biomed Sci. 2018;8(1):708-17. [Persian].
  23. Rahdar M, Vazirianzadeh B, Gholami M, Garshasbi S. Detection of intestinal parasite agents on raw consumed vegetables in Ahvaz. Jundishapur Sci Med J. 2012;10(6):657-64. doi: 22118/jsmj.2012.55137. [Persian].
  24. Distribution coverage of appropriate Fish, Vegetable, and Fruit serving 2020. Available from: https://vizit.tums.ac.ir/panel/steps-2020/fa/main.html#/forestLocation.
  25. Health Instruction for Sanitizing Vegetables, Cereal Sprouts, and Salad Products 2016. Available from: https://his.ut.ac.ir/file/download/page/1612086046-.pdf.
  26. Take disinfecting and washing fruits and vegetables more seriously than ever before- News Code: 205847 2020. Available from: https://behdasht.gov.ir/.
  27. Kim HY. Statistical notes for clinical researchers: chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test. Restor Dent Endod. 2017;42(2):152-5. doi: 5395/rde.2017.42.2.152.
  28. Matini M, Shamsi-Ehsan E, Maghsood AH. The parasitic contamination of farm vegetables in Asadabad city, west of Iran, in 2014. Avicenna J Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017;4(1):e32474. doi: 17795/ajcmi-32474.
  29. Nazemi S, Raei M, Amiri M, Chaman R. Parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in Shahroud, Semnan. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2012;14(8):84-6.
  30. Alemu G, Mama M, Misker D, Haftu D. Parasitic contamination of vegetables marketed in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):410. doi: 1186/s12879-019-4020-5.
  31. Damen JG, Banwat EB, Egah DZ, Allanana JA. Parasitic contamination of vegetables in Jos, Nigeria. Ann Afr Med. 2007;6(3):115-8. doi: 4103/1596-3519.55723.
  32. Mukhtar IM, Elfaki TE, Abd Alla AB, Saad MB. Role of vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites in Khartoum central market, Khartoum state, Sudan. Eur Acad Res. 2016;3(11):11825-37.
  33. Punsawad C, Phasuk N, Thongtup K, Nagavirochana S, Viriyavejakul P. Prevalence of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):34. doi: 1186/s12889-018-6358-9.
  34. Markazsalamat M. Guide to the Agricultural Irrigation Control Program with Wastewater/Effluent: Markazsalamat. Ministry of Health; 2019. Available from: https://markazsalamat.behdasht.gov.ir/uploads/358/1400/water/wastewater_guide.pdf.
  35. Mahvi AH, Kia EB. Helminth eggs in raw and treated wastewater in the Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J. 2006;12(1-2):137-43.
  36. Rahimi-Esboei B, Pagheh A, Fakhar M, Pagheh S, Dadimoghadam Y. Parasitic contamination of consumed vegetables in Golestan province, 2012. Med Lab J. 2014;8(3):82-9. [Persian].
  37. Sleman Ali H, Mageed SN, Jahed Khaniki GR, Shariatifar N, Yunesian M, Rezaeian M, et al. Contamination of Cryptosporidium oocysts in raw vegetables produced in Koya city, Iraq. J Food Qual Hazards Control. 2018;5(3):89-93. doi: 10.29252/jfqhc.5.3.89.
  38. El Bakri A, Hussein NM, Ibrahim ZA, Hasan H, AbuOdeh R. Intestinal parasite detection in assorted vegetables in the United Arab Emirates. Oman Med J. 2020;35(3):e128. doi: 5001/omj.2020.46.
  39. Fallah AA, Makhtumi Y, Pirali-Kheirabadi K. Seasonal study of parasitic contamination in fresh salad vegetables marketed in Shahrekord, Iran. Food Control. 2016;60:538-42. doi: 1016/j.foodcont.2015.08.042.
  40. Balarak D, Ebrahimi M, Jafari Modrek M, Bazrafshan E, Mahvi AH, Mahdavi Y. Investigation of parasitic contaminations of vegetables sold in markets in the city of Tabriz in 2014. Glob J Health Sci. 2016;8(10):54811. doi: 5539/gjhs.v8n10p178.
  41. Amorós I, Alonso JL, Cuesta G. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts on salad products irrigated with contaminated water. J Food Prot. 2010;73(6):1138-40. doi: 4315/0362-028x-73.6.1138.
  42. Asadpour M, Malekpour H, Jafari A, Bahrami S. Diversity of parasitic contamination in raw vegetables commonly consumed in Shiraz, southwest of Iran. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2016;6(2):160-2. doi: 1016/s2222-1808(15)61004-0.
  43. Shahnazi M, Jafari-Sabet M. Prevalence of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in villages of Qazvin province, Iran. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2010;7(9):1025-30. doi: 1089/fpd.2009.0477.
  44. Avcioğlu H, Soykan E, Tarakci U. Control of helminth contamination of raw vegetables by washing. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011;11(2):189-91. doi: 1089/vbz.2009.0243.
  45. World Health Organization (WHO). Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections. WHO; 2023. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/soil-transmitted-helminth-infections.
  46. Ashrafi K, Shekari M, Sharifdini M, Mahmoudi MR, Atrkar Roshan Z, Rahmati B, et al. Current status of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors in rural population of Guilan province, northern Iran: trichostrongyliasis is the most prevalent helminthic infection. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench. 2024;17(2):187-97. doi: 22037/ghfbb.v17i2.2893.
Health and Development Journal
Volume 13, Issue 4
December 2024
Pages 171-178

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 31 December 2024
  • Revise Date: 07 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 18 June 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics