Parasitic contamination of leafy vegetables: a function of the leaf area index (lai)

Abstract

A survey was undertaken to determine the degree of contamination of some stable vegetables and their surrounding soils by parasites in Uyo, Nigeria. Out of the 780 leaves from six vegetables and 50 soil samples screened, 498 (63.9%) of vegetables and 36 (72%) of the soil samples were positive for parasite ova, larvae or cyst respectively. The prevalence of the parasites encountered from the vegetables and soil samples were Ascaris lumbricoides (76.3% vs 100%) Hookworm (63.9% vs 66.7%), Trichuris trichiura (53.8% vs 58.3%). Strongyloides stercoralis (14.1% vs 19.44%), Gardia lamblia (5.6% vs 25.0%), Entamoeba histolytica (2.0%). The results obtained indicate that Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a contributory factor to high prevalence of contamination irrespective of exposed surface area, the vegetables with smaller leaf are index value are more contaminated than vegetables with higher LAI value.

Keywords: Vegetables, Parasites, Soil, Contamination.


(Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences: 2002 9(1): 25-30)