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Background: There is a growing concern regarding food safety, with the potential presence of parasitic pathogens in raw produce globally. Contaminated fruits and vegetables can be sources of various parasitic infections imposing significant health consequences for general population, particularly, vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, young children, and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to systematically assess and synthesize the available evidence on the magnitude of parasitic contamination in raw fruits and vegetables obtained from local markets in Ethiopia. Methods: Thoroughly search of published and unpublished studies was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane library and Science Direct. PRISMA checklist was strictly followed to select potential studies. Microsoft Excel 2016 sheet template was employed to extract the data. Quality of included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle – Ottawa Scale. STATA software version 14.0 was used to compute the estimated pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity among included studies was assessed using percentage of variance (I2) and P-value. Results: Thirteen studies with a total sample size of 3769 fruits and vegetables were included. The pooled prevalence of parasitic contamination in raw fruits and vegetables with at least one parasite in Ethiopia is 43.38% (95% CI: [36.64, 50.12]). The highest pooled prevalence of contamination with at least one parasite is reported from Oromia region, 51.95% (95% CI: [40.53, 63.37]). The most prevalent parasite is strongyloides stercoralis, followed by Toxocara spp., G. lamblia and A. lumbricoides. The most contaminated vegetables with at least one parasites is spinach followed by cabbage and lettuce. Banana has emerged to be the most frequently contaminated fruit with a contamination prevalence of 38.34% (95% CI: [1.84, 56.83]). Being unwashed fruits and vegetables, placement of the products and literacy status of the sellers are significantly associated with the occurrence of parasitic contamination. Conclusions: The result of this study showed that contamination of raw fruits and vegetables with clinical important parasites is high. Therefore, adequate public awareness on hygienic harvest, storage, placement and consumption shall be created in order to mitigate such a significant public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is a growing concern regarding food safety, with the potential presence of parasitic pathogens in raw produce globally. Contaminated fruits and vegetables can be sources of various parasitic infections imposing significant health consequences for general population, particularly, vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, young children, and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to systematically assess and synthesize the available evidence on the magnitude of parasitic contamination in raw fruits and vegetables obtained from local markets in Ethiopia. Methods Thoroughly search of published and unpublished studies was conducted in the databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane library and Science Direct. PRISMA checklist was strictly followed to select potential studies. Microsoft Excel 2016 sheet template was employed to extract the data. Quality of included studies was assessed by using the Newcastle – Ottawa Scale. STATA software version 14.0 was used to compute the estimated pooled prevalence. Heterogeneity among included studies was assessed using percentage of variance (I2) and P-value. Results Thirteen studies with a total sample size of 3769 fruits and vegetables were included. The pooled prevalence of parasitic contamination in raw fruits and vegetables with at least one parasite in Ethiopia is 43.38% (95% CI: [36.64, 50.12]). The highest pooled prevalence of contamination with at least one parasite is reported from Oromia region, 51.95% (95% CI: [40.53, 63.37]). The most prevalent parasite is strongyloides stercoralis, followed by Toxocara spp., G. lamblia and A. lumbricoides. The most contaminated vegetables with at least one parasites is spinach followed by cabbage and lettuce. Banana has emerged to be the most frequently contaminated fruit with a contamination prevalence of 38.34% (95% CI: [1.84, 56.83]). Being unwashed fruits and vegetables, placement of the products and literacy status of the sellers are significantly associated with the occurrence of parasitic contamination. Conclusions The result of this study showed that contamination of raw fruits and vegetables with clinical important parasites is high. Therefore, adequate public awareness on hygienic harvest, storage, placement and consumption shall be created in order to mitigate such a significant public health concern.

Purpose: To examine the effects of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked vegetables on type 2 diabetes (T2D) progression trajectory. Methods: We included 429,886 participants in the UK Biobank who were free of diabetes and diabetes complications at baseline. Food groups were determined using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Outcomes were T2D incidence, complications, and mortality. Multi-state model was used to analyze the effects of food groups on T2D progression. Results: During a follow-up of 12.6 years, 10,333 incident T2D cases were identified, of whom, 3961 (38.3%) developed T2D complications and 1169 (29.5%) died. We found that impacts of four food groups on T2D progression varied depending on disease stage. For example, compared to participants who ate less than one piece of dried fruit per day, the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for those who ate ≥ 2 pieces of dried fruit per day were 0.82 (0.77, 0.87), 0.88 (0.85, 0.92), and 0.86 (0.78, 0.95) for transitions from diabetes-free state to incident T2D, from diabetes-free state to total death, and from incident T2D to T2D complications, respectively. Higher intake of fresh fruit was significantly associated with lower risk of disease progression from diabetes-free state to all-cause death. Higher intake of raw and cooked vegetables was significantly associated with lower risks of disease progression from diabetes-free state to incident T2D and to total death. Conclusions: These findings indicate that higher intake of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables, and cooked vegetables could be beneficial for primary and secondary prevention of T2D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo analyze Salmonella， Listeria monocytogenes and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in vegetables in Yunnan Province， the antibiotic susceptibilities and whole genome sequencing （WGS） were determined to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genotypes of these isolates.MethodsSalmonella， Listeria monocytogenes and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli of 180 samples of vegetables that can be eaten raw were isolated and identified by National food safety standard Food GB 4789.4—2016， GB 4789.30—2016， GB 4789.6—2016. The susceptibilities of isolates were determined by broth microdilution. The whole genome of isolates was then sequenced. The corresponding genomes were assembled and further analysis was carried out using appropriate bioinformatics pipelines.ResultsTwelve of 180 samples of vegetables that can be eaten raw had isolates of pathogenic bacteria from Lactuca sativa， cilantro and Houttuynia cordata Thunb and so on. A total of 13 isolates were detected， including 7 strains of Salmonella which contain 7 serotypes， 4 strains of multi-drug resistance （drug resistance phenotype and drug resistance genes were well correlated）， 5 strains carrying IncHI and IncF plasmids related to multi-drug resistance， 4 strains of Listeria monocytogenes which contain 1 strain of multi-drug resistance and 2 strains carrying the virulence island LIPI-3. 2 strains of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in which 1 strain of multi-drug resistance.ConclusionMore attention should be paid to vegetables that can be eaten raw with regional characteristics， such as Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Some strains of Listeria monocytogenes can be a potential public health risk due to high harboring rate of virulence genes. It is serious that of multidrug resistance of Salmonella and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from raw vegetables.

ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution of Bacillus cereus （B. cereus） and vomiting toxin gene （ces） in cooked rice samples which simulated contaminated by raw vegetables， and provide basic data for prevention of food poisoning caused by B.cereus.MethodsFifty raw vegetable samples were collected in this study. Simulate method was as contaminated “freshly cooked rice” with 0.85% physiological saline solution from washing raw vegetables， and then place it in a 30 ℃ 70% RH environment for 24 h to prepare a sample of “contaminated rice”. Plate counting， real time PCR and digital PCR were performed for raw vegetable and “contaminated rice” samples. Statistical analysis was performed on the detection rates grouped by different vegetable types for raw vegetable samples and “contaminated rice” contaminated with them.ResultsThe detection ratios of B.cereus， ces gene and Bac16s RNA gene in raw vegetables was 80.00% （40/50）， 0（0/50） and 10.00%（5/50）. The detection ratios of B.cereus， ces gene and Bac16s RNA gene in “contaminated rice” was 94.00% （47/50）， 14.00% （7/50） and 90.00% （45/50）. There was significant difference in the detection ratio of B.cereus between raw vegetables collected from agricultural markets and farmland（χ2=11.063， P=0.000 88 correction）， and the difference in the detection rates of Bac16s RNA gene and ces genes in “contaminated rice” contaminated with the two groups of raw vegetables mentioned above is statistically significant（χ2=3.926， P=0.047 5 correction； χ2=5.444， P=0.019 6 correction）. Seven “contaminated rice” were tested positive for the ces gene using real time PCR， with Ct values ranging from 24.12 to 37.73， and digital PCR results ranging from 6.8 copes/μL-6.2×106 copes/μL.ConclusionCooked rice samples which simulated contaminated by raw vegetables might be has the etiology characteristics that lead to a risk of food poisoning caused by B.cereus.

Produce-associated food-borne outbreaks have been increasingly implicated as the significant proportion of the annual incidence of food-borne illness worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the concentrations of indicator bacteria and the presence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), and to characterize predictors associated with Salmonella contamination of retail produce from fresh markets and supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 503 samples were collected during May 2018 and February 2019, comprised of sweet basil, spring onion, coriander, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, and tomato, with conventional items from fresh open-air markets (n=167), conventional items from supermarkets (n=168), and organic items from supermarkets (n=168). The overall prevalence in these 503 items for fecal coliforms and E. coli was 84.3% and 71.4%, with mean concentrations (±standard deviation) of fecal coliforms and E. coli being (3.0×105±1.3×106) most probable number (MPN)/g and (1.8×105±1.1×105) MPN/g, respectively. The concentrations of fecal coliforms and E. coli were higher in produce sampled from fresh open-air markets than produce from supermarkets; similarly, these bacterial indicators were higher from produce grown under conventional methods than certified organic produce. The prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella was 4.8% and 0.4%, respectively, but no positives were found for E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. The predominant Salmonella serovar was Stanley (30.8%). Based on logistic regression, the odds of Salmonella contamination were significantly (P

The Crucial Role of Raw Green Vegetables in Nourishing Well-being. However, lurking within these natural wonders lies an inconspicuous peril - the potential conduit for intestinal parasites due to potential parasitological contamination. Our ongoing research endeavor is laser-focused on scrutinizing the prevalence of parasitic protozoa and helminths' cysts and eggs within the raw vegetables available in the bustling retail markets of Al-Amarah City and the serene Qal'at Saleh District, both nestled in the heart of Maysan Province, Southern Iraq. During our investigation, we meticulously scrutinized 180 samples representing a diverse array of five vegetable varieties, encompassing radish, leek, cress, celery, and lettuce. Utilizing established and recognized testing protocols, we rigorously conducted our examinations. The results illuminated a concerning reality: among the fresh leafy vegetables surveyed in Al-Amarah City, 17.76% bore the burden of contamination, while in the picturesque Qal'at Saleh District, this figure ascended to a troubling 22.2%. Within these innocent greens lay the insidious presence of helminth eggs and parasitic protozoan cysts, a revelation demanding our attention and action. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia cysts were detected at 8.88% and 1.11% respectively in Al-Amarah City and at 6.66% and 2.22% in Qal'at Saleh District. On the contrary, Eggs of Hymenolepis nana and Fasciola hepatica were detected at 2.22% and 1.11% respectively in Al-Amarah City and at 5.55% and 2.22% in Qal'at Saleh District. Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were detected at 4.44% and 5.55% in Al-Amarah City and Qal'at Saleh District respectively. Lettuce showed the highest contamination percentage in comparison with other sorts of vegetables at 27.77% in Al-Amarah City and 33.33% in Qal'at Saleh District with Noteworthy Disparities Evident at a Significance Threshold of P<0.05: This investigation has reached a decisive verdict, underscoring the latent peril residing within the raw vegetables retailed in Maysan Province's local markets. These innocent greens, it transpires, harbor the potential to serve as conduits for intestinal protozoa and helminths, thereby casting a shadow over the health of those who partake in such produce. The author advocates a compelling case for the imperative involvement of pertinent authorities. In doing so, the endeavor should revolve around mitigating the extent of parasitic pathogen contamination within plants, a mission that hinges on the twin pillars of vendor education and community awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastocystis is a stramenopile protist of controversial pathogenicity. The organism colonizes a broad range of vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. Blastocystis has also been found in the environment both in water and soil. Several routes of transmission have been proposed including human to human, animal to human, and via contaminated food and water. In recent years, the presence of Blastocystis in vegetables has started to be explored. However, most studies have focused on microscopic detection. Moreover, works of this type from Asia are barely available. Hence, the aim of this preliminary study was to examine the occurrence of Blastocystis in raw vegetables sold in markets in northern Thailand. Fresh produce (n = 20) commonly used in Thai cuisine (Lanna) was purchased from two street markets and screened for Blastocystis using qPCR. Blastocystis was detected in 45% of the samples with the dominant subtype being ST3. Produce growing underground, such as galangal, carrot, and beetroot, were positive for the organism suggesting soil or inadequately composted manure as the source of contamination. To our knowledge, our study is the first to perform subtyping of Blastocystis in vegetables. Our results hint toward fresh produce being a, as yet, not widely explored, transmission route of Blastocystis in the studied community. Looking forward, large-scale investigations on the prevalence of this and other organisms under the One Health umbrella should be undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw vegetables are the source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fibers that protect the human body against diseases. On the other hand, these may become sources of parasitic pathogens, which affect human health. This study aimed to assess the presence of helminth species in raw vegetables consumed in Sivas with microscopic and molecular techniques. The study material consisted of 120 vegetable samples (lettuce, parsley, peppermint, rockets, cress, and carrots) obtained from greengrocers, supermarkets, street vendors, and wholesalers. Toxocara spp. eggs, T. leonina eggs, and Rhabditiform larvae were detected in vegetable samples with a prevalence of 5.83%, 3.33%, and 24.17%, respectively. Toxocara spp. eggs were identified as T. canis using polymerase chain reaction. This is the first molecular detection of T. canis eggs in raw vegetables in Turkey. This study revealed that vegetables sold in Sivas are contaminated with helminth eggs or larvae. Therefore, people should take the necessary hygiene precaution, such as washing or sanitizing, before consuming these vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kocatepe Veterinary Journal / Kocatepe Veteriner Dergisi is the property of Afyon Kocatepe University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT Reportedly, Western-type diets may induce the loss of key microbial taxa within the gastrointestinal microbiota, promoting the onset of noncommunicable diseases. It was hypothesized that the consumption of raw vegetables could contribute to the maintenance of the intestinal microbial community structure. In this context, we explored bacteria associated with commercial rocket salads produced through different farming practices: traditional (conventional, organic, and integrated) and vertical farming. Viable counts of mesophilic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were performed on plate count agar (PCA) and de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) agar at pH 5.7, whereas metataxonomics through 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to profile total bacteria associated with rocket salads. We found that rocket salads from vertical farming had much fewer viable bacteria and had a bacterial community structure markedly different from that of rocket salads from traditional farming. Furthermore, although α- and β-diversity analyses did not differentiate rocket samples according to farming techniques, several bacterial taxa distinguished organic and integrated from conventional farming salads, suggesting that farming practices could affect the taxonomic composition of rocket bacterial communities. LAB were isolated from only traditional farming samples and belonged to different species, which were variably distributed among samples and could be partly associated with farming practices. Finally, the INFOGEST protocol for in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal digestion revealed that several taxonomically different rocket-associated bacteria (particularly LAB) could survive gastrointestinal transit. This study suggests that commercial ready-to-eat rocket salads harbor live bacteria that possess the ability to survive gastrointestinal transit, potentially contributing to the taxonomic structure of the human gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE Western-type diets are composed of foods with a reduced amount of naturally occurring microorganisms. It was hypothesized that a microbe-depleted diet can favor the alteration of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem, therefore contributing to the onset of chronic metabolic and immune diseases currently recognized as the most significant causes of death in the developed world. Here, we studied the microorganisms that are associated with commercial ready-to-eat rocket salads produced through different farming practices. We showed that rocket salad (a widely consumed vegetal food frequently eaten raw) may be a source of lactic acid bacteria and other microbes that can survive gastrointestinal transit, potentially increasing the biodiversity of the intestinal microbiota. This deduction may be valid for virtually all vegetal foods that are consumed raw.

To meet consumer requirements for high quality food free of chemical additives, according to the principles of sustainability and respect for the environment, new "green" packaging solutions have been explored. The antibacterial activity of edible bioactive films and coatings, based on biomolecules from processing by-products and biomasses, added with the bacteriocin producer Lactobacillus kefiri MM5, has been determined in vegetables against L. monocytogenes NCTC 10888 (i) "in vitro" by a modified agar diffusion assay and (ii) "on food" during storage of artificially contaminated raw vegetable samples, after application of active films and coatings. Both polysaccharides-based and proteins-based films and coatings showed excellent antilisterial activity, especially at 10 and 20 days. Protein-based films displayed a strong activity against L. monocytogenes in carrots and zucchini samples (p < 0.0001). After 10 days, both polysaccharide-based and protein-based films demonstrated more enhanced activity than coatings towards the pathogen. These edible active packagings containing live probiotics can be used both to preserve the safety of fresh vegetables and to deliver a beneficial probiotic bacterial strain. The edible ingredients used for the formulation of both films and coatings are easily available, at low cost and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the occurrence, antibiograms, and detection of antibiotic resistance genes of Enterobacterales isolated from fresh vegetables commercialized in Riobamba, Ecuador. Escherichia coli isolates were screened to detect diarrheagenic pathotypes via PCR. Agar diffusion assay was performed to determine the phenotypic antibiotic resistance of the Enterobacterales strains. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance against beta-lactams, mobile colistin resistance, carbapenems, quinolones, tetracyclines, and sulphonamides was detected via PCR amplification.

Background and Objectives: Pathogenic diseases resulting from microbial contamination of food have been widely distributed in many parts of the world. Among these, Escherichia coli is one of the most important foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Diarrhea is one of the major causes of children's death in developing countries, with approximately 2 million deaths annually. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes such as Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in Brassica oleracea cultivars in order to provide information on the assessment of diarrheagenic E. coli pathogenesis risk. Materials and Methods: 100 samples of vegetables were collected in Tehran, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. After homogenizing samples, enrichment was done in the EC broth medium. Five colonies of pure culture were used for DNA extraction. Pathotypes were identified by PCR using virulence genes. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli strains was 7%. The EPEC prevalence was 3%, All EPEC isolates were atypical. The ETEC frequency was 3%, And the EAEC prevalence was 1%. Conclusion: These findingsindicated that Brassica oleracea cultivars could be consideredas a source of contamination with diarrhea-causing E. coli strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Objectives: Pathogenic diseases resulting from microbial contamination of food have been widely distributed in many parts of the world. Among these, Escherichia coli is one of the most important foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Diarrhea is one of the major causes of children’s death in developing countries, with approximately 2 million deaths annually. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes such as Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in Brassica oleracea cultivars in order to provide information on the assessment of diarrheagenic E. coli pathogenesis risk. Materials and Methods: 100 samples of vegetables were collected in Tehran, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. After homogenizing samples, enrichment was done in the EC broth medium. Five colonies of pure culture were used for DNA extraction. Pathotypes were identified by PCR using virulence genes. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli strains was 7%. The EPEC prevalence was 3%, All EPEC isolates were atypical. The ETEC frequency was 3%, And the EAEC prevalence was 1%. Conclusion: These findings indicated that Brassica oleracea cultivars could be consideredas a source of contamination with diarrhea-causing E. coli strains.

Dietary patterns high in fibre and green leafy vegetables have shown an inverse association with lower risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus and improved glycaemic control. The study aimed to investigate the effects of increased vegetable intake and conventional diabetes diet on glycaemic control among type 2 diabetic patients. White-collar workers from one telecommunication company with type 2 diabetes were assigned to two treatment groups by cluster randomisation. Individuals with known type 2 diabetes and poor glycaemic control (HbA1c ≥8 g%) were eligible and a total of 84 subjects were recruited. Subjects in the intervention group (n 41) were offered to attend seminars and intensive coaching weekly to encourage them to increase raw vegetable intake. The control group (n 40) followed the conventional diet according to the guidelines of the Indonesian Society of Endocrinology. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma lipids, blood pressure, vegetable intake and anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline and end line of 12 weeks intervention. A regression analysis was conducted using differences in HbA1C between baseline and 12 weeks as the dependent variable. Student's t test was conducted for the changes of biochemical indicators from baseline to end line during the period of 12 weeks intervention. Glycaemic control improved in the intervention group and mean HbA1C, fasting blood glucose and post-prandial blood glucose in the intervention group decreased significantly along with body weight, waist circumference and total cholesterol. The finding suggested that the intervention which emphasised raw vegetable intake contributed to improved glycaemic control among Indonesian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Vegetables eating raw are a leading source of transmission of infective forms of pathogenic internal parasites among human beings. This research was conducted from April to October, 2017 to assess the parasitic contamination of vegetables sold at main vegetable markets in districts Lower Dir and Peshawar, Pakistan. Eight hundred specimens of different vegetables were purchased and soaked in physiological saline solution, shaken with a mechanical shaker for 20 minutes and processed by sedimentation concentration method. Results revealed that only 19.7% (n=158/800) of the vegetables were found to be contaminated with single or multiple parasite species. Ascaris lumbricoides (the large round worm) 12.3% (n=99/800) was the most commonly detected pathogen and Taenia saginata (the beef tapeworm) 1.62% (n=13/800) was the least frequently detected one. Interestingly, significant p value (p>0.05 at 95%CI) between the number of examined and contaminated for all the variables studied including education status of the vendors, markets location, type of vegetables, means of display, washed before display, washing source of water and market type. The findings of this study evidenced that consumption of raw vegetables possesses great risk of getting parasitic infections in Lower Dir and Peshawar districts, Pakistan. Instructing the sellers and the public about parasitic disease transfer and their hygiene can reduce the infection rate of parasites of human origin.

Abstract Background Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are major public health problems in poor and developing countries that require fecal contamination of the environment for transmission. The consumption of raw vegetables without proper washing is one of the main routes of intestinal parasite acquisition. Therefore, this study was designed to detect the prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in commonly consumed raw vegetables sold in three central open-air markets in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. Methods A total of 265 fresh vegetable samples consisting of peppermint, lettuce, coriander, leek, gotu kola, celery, Chinese cabbage, culantro, Thai basil, and Chinese morning glory were purchased from three central open-air markets in the Mueang, Thasala and Sichon districts from December 2016 to March 2017. Each sample was washed with physiological saline, shaken for 15 min, and then allowed to sediment. Finally, sedimentation was performed via the sedimentation concentration technique and examined using light microscopy for the detection of pathogenic parasites. Results The overall prevalence of parasitic contamination was 35.1% (93/265). The most predominant parasite was hookworms (42.9%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (10.6%), Trichuris trichiura (2.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.6%), and Toxocara spp. (2.6%). The highest level of contamination was found in celery, with a prevalence rate of 63.3% (19/30), while the lowest contamination level was found in Chinese morning glory, with a prevalence rate of 2.0% (2/30). The prevalence of intestinal parasite contamination in Mueang district (51.5%) was significantly higher than that in Thasala district (17.9%) and Sichon district (30.6%) (P

To meet consumer requirements for high quality food free of chemical additives, according to the principles of sustainability and respect for the environment, new “green” packaging solutions have been explored. The antibacterial activity of edible bioactive films and coatings, based on biomolecules from processing by-products and biomasses, added with the bacteriocin producer Lactobacillus kefiri MM5, has been determined in vegetables against L. monocytogenes NCTC 10888 (i) “in vitro” by a modified agar diffusion assay and (ii) “on food” during storage of artificially contaminated raw vegetable samples, after application of active films and coatings. Both polysaccharides-based and proteins-based films and coatings showed excellent antilisterial activity, especially at 10 and 20 days. Protein-based films displayed a strong activity against L. monocytogenes in carrots and zucchini samples (p < 0.0001). After 10 days, both polysaccharide-based and protein-based films demonstrated more enhanced activity than coatings towards the pathogen. These edible active packagings containing live probiotics can be used both to preserve the safety of fresh vegetables and to deliver a beneficial probiotic bacterial strain. The edible ingredients used for the formulation of both films and coatings are easily available, at low cost and environmental impact.

Abstract Infection caused by geo-helminth parasites are called geohelminthiasis are one of the global health problems. Vegetables eaten raw is the principal source of transmission of geo-helminth parasites. Pakistani people believe that eating raw vegetables are a significant source to get important vitamins and minerals. Based on the high incidence of pathogenic parasites and cultivating different vegetable types in the study areas, we conducted this study to evaluate the geo-helminth contamination of raw vegetables in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This is a descriptive study comprised, 1942 samples of 25 various types of vegetables. The samples were examined in physiological saline solution using sedimentation and centrifugation methods. The findings were analyzed by Graph-Pad version 5. P value less than 0.05 (95% CI) was considered significant. Results showed that 16.5% (n=322) of all vegetables were contaminated with one or more type of geo-helminth parasites. Garlic was the highest (35%) and cauliflower the lowest (4%) contaminated samples respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most common geo-helminth found followed by hook worm species while Trichuris trichura was the least in all the vegetable samples. Leafy vegetables were highly contaminated 25.3% than vegetables with root parts 21.2% and fruity 9.09%. More than half of the contaminated vegetables were contaminated with single species of geo-helminth (P0.05) species of geo-helminth parasites. Education level of vendors and means of display were not significantly associated while types of vegetable used were significantly associated with the prevalence of parasites. The findings of this study provide evidence that consumption of raw vegetable has a high risk of acquiring geo-helminth infections. The authors believe that preventing the human to enter to the vegetable farmland for defecation, avoiding the irrigation of agricultural fields via night soil, and educating the people on proper washing and cooking of vegetables may be useful in reducing parasitic infections.

The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance has drawn the public’s attention worldwide. The presence of ESBL E. coli in fresh produce and other food represents a growing problem involving food safety and has become a global food safety issue. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli in raw vegetables (lettuce and bean sprouts) from hypermarkets and wet markets and to establish the antibiogram of the isolates. In this study, a total of 180 samples (95 samples of lettuce and 85 samples of bean sprouts) were collected from hypermarkets and wet markets. The most-probable-number analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPN–PCR) was used to detect and quantify the ESBL-producing E. coli in raw vegetable samples. The prevalence rates of ESBL-producing E. coli in lettuce and bean sprouts were 62.11% (59/95) and 63.53% (54/85), respectively, with a microbial load range of 1100 MPN/g. A total of 15 isolates of ESBL-producing E. coli recovered from the samples were tested with an antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) with different antibiotic classes. All isolates were found to be susceptible to cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, and meropenem. A total of nine ESBL-producing E. coli strains showed multidrug resistance. In conclusion, the high prevalence rate of ESBL-producing E. coli in raw vegetables showed that raw vegetables could act as a potential vehicle to transmit ESBL-producing E. coli to the human population.

Raw vegetables were highly exposed to microbial contamination by handling at harvest or during postharvest processing. Nowadays, emerging issues threatening public health are bacterial resistance to antibiotics due to the excessive usage and misuse of antibiotics in agriculture. In this study, antibiotic susceptibility profiles of 23 Escherichia coli strains were tested by the standard disk diffusion method. Sixteen antimicrobial agents namely amikacin, amoxycillin/cluvanic acid, ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, ciproflaxacin, ceftazidime, cephalotin, cefoperazone, gentamicin, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, tetracycline and trimethoprim were included in this study. In this study, 78.3% of the E. coli isolates were found to be resistant to cephalotin and it was the highest compared with the other antibiotics. It was found that 87% of isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic. E. coli showed high resistance to ampicillin (52.2%) and tetracycline (52.2%). In contrast, ceftriaxone and ceftazidime were found to be (100%) effective in restraining the growth of E. coli isolates. The highest multiple antibiotic resistance index (MAR) index was 0.48. Multiple resistance was observed in 47.8% of isolates with resistance to three to seven antibiotics. In conclusion, ulam could be the potential source of this antibiotic resistance of E. coli, and it may pose health threats to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent decades, due to the scarcity of fresh water resources and high costs of wastewater treatment, cases of irrigation of cultivation of vegetables using raw sewage and polluted effluents or the use of human and animal faeces have been reported. Vegetables are important sources of exposure of human pathogenic pathogens such as fecal coliforms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of three different disinfectant on several kinds of vegetables that would normally be released in Kermanshah. Methods: In this cross sectional study, 180 randomly selected vegetable samples were collected from mobile and fixed stores of vegetables in Kermanshah. Then, to evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants in eliminating microbial samples, three types of disinfectants containing active ingredient Benzalconium chloride, were studied. Heterotrophic plate count (HPC) surface culture method, coliform count (VRBA) Violet Red Bile Agar purplate method and Yeast Glucose Chloramphemicole Agar (YGCA) surface culture method was used in order to count the microbial load. Results: The findings of this study suggest that the overall average performance of all three disinfectants was less than 75% and most disinfection efficiency was observed in two-fold concentrations of proposed by manufacturer. Based on the analysis of the resulting data, disinfectants examined in this study had an average efficiency of 76.13% for the removal of coliforms as an indicator of gram-negative bacteria and 100% for the removal of Streptococcus bacteria as indicators gram positive bacteria. Conclusion: Disinfection can not solely guarantees the maintaining the health of the consumer. We could have declared that recommended disinfection conditions and existing facilities can effectively reduce the microbial load of vegetables. However, preparing vegetables from safe and ensure proper burial are recommended. Moreover, consuming the raw vegetables in sensitive seasons and precarious conditions should be avoided.

The aim of this study was to develop technology to produce a mashed pumpkin yoghurt rich in β‐carotene and to check its physicochemical properties and nutritional values. The structural and mechanical properties of the yoghurt product, as well its basic nutrient content and antioxidant activity, were studied. Yoghurt fortified with pumpkin puree has the potential to normalise the commensal intestinal microbiota and has potential as a dietary health supplement. The experimental yoghurt samples that were produced had physicochemical properties comparable to commercially produced yoghurt: the pumpkin‐supplemented samples contained 4.5% fibre, 8.5 mg/100 g vitamin C and 8.9 mg/100 g β‐carotene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]