Parasitic contamination of vegetables cultivated in irrigation sites along the Kubanni River In Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The unsanitary state of the environment can expose vegetables to parasite contamination before they are harvested. This will pose a serious health threat to consumers of the vegetables.
Aim: This study aimed at examining the presence of intestinal parasite in irrigated vegetables grown throughout the Kubanni irrigation area.
Methodology: A total of 125 vegetable samples were examined in the laboratory using sedimentation method. The selected vegetables include tomatoes, spinach, onions, lettuce, and cabbage.
Result: The parasites found in this investigation include Entamoeba coli, Hookworm, Toxocara, Fasciola Hepatica, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Strongyloides. It shows that Ascaris lubroicodes is the most prevalent parasite 28 (40%) while Entamoeba coli had the lowest prevalence rate (7%). Cabbage hosts the largest number of intestinal parasites 18 (25%) while tomatoes had the lowest parasitic contaminants 9 (13%).
Conclusion: In order to guarantee that vegetables produced in the study area are free of parasite contamination, safe agricultural methods in addition to enhanced environmental sanitation should be maintained