Katsina Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences VOL. 9 No.

1 March, 2020 (ISSN: 2141-0755)

PARASITIC CONTAMINATION OF SOME COMMON FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

SOLD IN OPEN MARKETS WITHIN KATSINA METROPOLIS, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA
*Yusuf Z,H and Mashi R.L.
Biology Department, Federal College of Education, Katsina State Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: deeneecrc@gmail.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
A study aimed at determining parasitic contamination of some common fresh fruits and vegetables sold in open
markets within Katsina metropolis, Katsina State between January and February, 2020. A total of 96 samples of
fruits and vegetables were examined by sedimentation method after washing using normal saline. Overall
prevalence of parasitic contamination was 43.75 %.Taenia spp with prevalence of (18.75%) and A. lumbricoides
(18.75%) were the most frequently detected parasites while the least is E. histolytica with (6.25%) and the Chi
square shows that the Prevalence of contamination had significant association with parasite type (p = 0.0000).
The vegetables were found to be more contaminated than the fruits since fruits and vegetables are found to be
potential sources of transmission for intestinal parasites in the study area, consumers should always avoid
acquiring parasitic infection from contaminated fruits and vegetables through proper cleaning and cooking.
There is the need for relevant authorities to inform the consumers on the potential health risks associated with
consumption of contaminated raw fruits and vegetables.
Keywords: Parasite, Contamination, Fruits, Vegetables, Markets
__________________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION
Intestinal parasitic infections are widely
distributed throughout the world,
endangering public health. Infections with
medically important parasites (intestinal
helminths and protozoa) are closely linked
with conditions of poverty, unsafe water,
crowded living conditions, lack of sanitation
and hygiene (Okyayet al., 2004). The
consumption of fruits and vegetables helps in
protecting human body from a number of
diseases by providing nutrients, vitamins,
minerals, protein, and fibers. It could also
have a positive impact on body-weight
regulation and related conditions, including
diabetes and hypertension. However, fruits
and vegetables, especially, those that are
consumed raw and or not properly washed,
have been the major way for the transmission
of human pathogens (Abougrain et al., 2010).
Despite the fact that consumption of fruits and
vegetables is common in Katsina metropolis
there are no much studies conducted to assess
the level of contamination of fruits and
vegetables of medical and zoonotic
importance within Katsina metropolis.
Therefore, this study was designed to
determine the prevalence of parasites in some
selected fruits and vegetables and associated
factors in Katsina metropolis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
This study was carried out within Katsina
metropolis, Katsina state, North western region
of Nigeria from January to February, 2019. The
state is served by the main highway between
Kano and Maradi(Niger Republic). The state is
located latitude and longitude (Coordinates) of
12°15′N 7°30′E (Google Map)
SamplesCollection and Analysis
Two markets; Kofar Marusa Market and Central
Market at Sabuwar Tasha where vegetables and
fruits are usually sold were selected for this
research. Atleast twelve samples (12) each of
fruits and vegetables were collected which are:
Orange, Banana, Cabbage, Lettuce, Garden egg,
spinach, Carrot, Onion. In this research
available fruits and vegetables were purchased
from shed sellers for a period of 2 weeks,
between January and February 2019. A total of
96 fruits and vegetable samples were collected
from the two open markets within Katsina
metropolis during the study period. A portion
(200 g) of each fruit and vegetable were
washed separately in 500 ml of normal saline
for detaching the parasitic stages (ova, larvae,

©Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina Nigeria. All Rights Reserved…………………Page 55

 Katsina Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences VOL. 9 No. 1 March, 2020 (ISSN: 2141-0755)
cysts, and oocysts) of the helminths and
protozoan parasites commonly assumed to be
associated with vegetable contamination. After
sedimentation of the washed solution, 15 ml of
the sediments were then transferred to a
centrifuge tube. The tube was centrifuged at
3000 rpm for five minutes (Idahosa, 2011).
After centrifugation, the supernatant was
decanted carefully without shaking. Finally,
the sediments were examined under a light
microscope using ×10 and ×40 objectives.
Identification of parasites was done using the
Manual of General Veterinary Parasitology
(Chaudhri and Gupta 2005).
DataAnalysis
2 shown in Table 1 below.
Chi-square (X ) test was used to determine
whether any relationship exists between the
Table 1. Prevalence of parasitic contamination according to parasite type
No. of samples
Parasite examied
E. histolytica 96
Taeniasp.
A.lumbricoies 96
Plate 1: Taenia spp.
Plate 2: A. lumbricoides
©Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina Nigeria. All Rights Reserved…………………Page 56
presence of the parasite species and the
different fruit types. Significance was
considered at p< 0.05. (Damen et al., 2007).
RESULTS
The results revealed that some samples were
found to be positive for parasites, cysts and
eggs during the study. Parasites found included
E.histolytica, Taenia spp, A.lumbricoides out of
eighteen samples collected. The results from the
study showed highest parasitic contamination
of fruits and vegetables are Taenia spp with
prevalence of (18.75%) and A. lumbricoides
(18.75%) while the least is E. Histolytica with
(6.25%) and the X2 test shows that the
Prevalence of contamination had significant
association with parasite type (p = 0.0000) as
No. positive Prevalence% p-value
6 6.25 0.000*
18 18.75
18 18.75
Plate3:E.histolytica
Results of parasitic contamination by
type of fruits and vegetables showed
Cabbage and Onion (vegetables) having
the highest parasitic contamination with
(100%) prevalence rate while Spinach,
Banana and carrot have 50% each.
Orange, Garden egg and lettuce (fruits)
had a (0%) prevalence out of the samples
examined. Significant association was
shown between prevalence and
fruits/vegetable type (p = 0.0000) as
presented in Table2.
 Katsina Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences VOL. 9 No. 1 March, 2020 (ISSN: 2141-0755)

Table 2. Prevalence of parasitic contamination according to fruit and vegetable types

Vegetables Number Number Prevalence

of sample
and fruits examined positive

Orange 12 0 0 p-
Spinach 12 6 50 value
Cabbage 12 12 100 0.000*

Carrot 12 6 50
Onion 12 12 100
Garden egg 12 0 0
Banana 12 6 50
Lettuce 12 0 0

DISCUSSION found of Taenia spp and A.lumbricoides may be

Human pathogenic species is one of the major
causes of diseases to human being and causes a
great contamination to the environment. This
work investigated the contamination of fruits
and vegetables with human pathogenic species
of parasite as recorded in this study revealed 6
out of the samples to be contaminated out of the
eighttotal samples of fruits and vegetables
examined. This result is similar to the findings
of Dauda et al., (2011) and Umeche, (2016) in
which they reported 41.0% and 4.2.61% cases of
parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables in
Kaduna and Calabar, Nigeria respectively. It is
also found higher than the reports of Auta et al.,
(2018); who screened fruits sold in Zamfara,
Nigeria for parasites. The works of Tukur et al.,
(2013) and Auta et al.,(2017) were also lower,
where they recorded 13.5% and 14% positive
cases of parasites on fruits and vegetables sold
in Dutsinma local Government, Katsina state.
The variations in prevalence of contamination
with other reports corroborates the point that
prevalence of specific parasites in food supplies
varies between countries and regions and
shows that the patterns of quality could be
improved for fruits and vegetables sold in
places where contamination is still high Al-Shaa
and Mwafy, (2016)..The highest prevalence
as a result of the viability of their eggs in the
soil for months and being the commonest
parasite in the tropic [Tukur et al., (2013) and
Umechi, (2012)]. The findings of this research
also were also similar with the works of García-
Gómez et al., (2017);
However, Auta et al.,(2017) and Anuar and
Ramanchandra, (2018) in which they were
reported that E. coli and A. lumbricoides werw
the most prevalent parasites observed on fruits
and vegetables (80.6% and 65.8%) in
Kafanchan, Dutsinma, north western Nigeria
respectively, and also, it is in line with the work
of Umoh et al.,( 2012) who reported 43% for
Taenia spp. He also reported that people
consuming vegetables irrigated with raw waste
water are exposed to the risk of infection with
Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia.
Ascariasis and other infectious diseases are
among the commonest parasitic infections
associated with raw fruits and vegetables,
which causes considerable morbidity in
pregnant women, children and adults. The
detection of these parasites cysts, ova/ larvae
on fruits and vegetables in the three studied
markets, has a significant public health
implication. Some of the vegetables and fruits
are processed and eaten uncooked, which could

©Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina Nigeria. All Rights Reserved…………………Page 57

 Katsina Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences VOL. 9 No. 1 March, 2020 (ISSN: 2141-0755)
lead to infection and disease especially when
served to the public (Autaet al., 2017). The
highest prevalence of parasitic contamination
on Cabbage compared to the fruits is similar to
what Damenet al., (2007) reported. This might
be due to the fact that cabbage, carrot, and
Onion have uneven surfaces which make the
parasitic stages attach more easily to the
surface of these vegetables. The smooth
surface of garden egg, tomato, and orange
might reduce the rate of parasitic attachment
hence had lower contamination rate (El Said,
2012).Umohet al., 2012 reported that this may
be due to the rough surface and leaf folds of this
vegetable which may retain dirt that cannot be
easily washed off. The variation of this result
and findings of previous researches could be
due other certain factors depicted in the
literature review of this work.
CONCLUSION
The finding of this research showed that most
fruits and vegetables sold within the metropolis
were contaminated with parasitic cysts/eggs.
Vegetables, due to their rough/folded leaves are
more contaminated with parasite cysts, eggs
and larvae than fruits. Taenia spp, Ascaris
lumbricoides and E. histolytica are the most
prevalent parasites that contaminated the fruits
and vegetables sold in Katsinamarkets based on
these findings.
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