Abstract:

Fruits and vegetables have numerous health importance but can act as vehicles in the transmission of foodborne diseases of public health importance. This research examined the presence of parasites and microbial organisms on fruits sold at Otuoke community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria using six fruits types, including pineapple (Ananas comosus), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), garden egg (Solanum aethiopicum), guava (Psidium guajava) and orange (Citrus sinensis). The parasites were concentrated by sedimentation and were examined using a light microscope. The result of the study showed the presence of cysts of Cryptosporidium parvum, Entamoeba histolytica, eggs of Fasciola hepatica, Ascaris lumbricoides and larva of Strongyloides stercoralis. Five out of the 6 fruits types examined were infested with at least one type of parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides (33.33%) was the most frequently detected parasite and was found on the pineapple, guava and oranges fruits. Fruit types were not significantly associated with parasitic contamination (p > 0.005). Bacteria isolated from the fruits included Lactobacillus sp., Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Shigella sp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. E. coli was isolated in all the sampled fruits types. The total count was determined by pour plate method using MacConkey agar. Total viable bacteria count (TBC) ranged from 21.9 x 105cfu/ml to 7.27 x 105cfu/ml. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Mucor spp.. and Fusarium spp were the isolated fungi species. A high number of these microorganisms in fruits and vegetables can lead to public health emergencies. Risk reduction can be achieved through personal and food hygiene by the fruit sellers and consumers. Further studies should be conducted to address the effect of seasonal variation on the infestation of the fruits sold in this area.