PREVELANCE OF SHIGELLA SPECIES IN STREET-VENDED FRESH PRODUCE FROM LAGOS AND OGUN STATE

Abstract

Fresh fruits and vegetables are on an increase demand because of their health benefits but its associated hazards are not taken into consideration. The incidence of food borne outbreaks involving fresh produce is of worldwide concern. Consumer demand would be for bacteriological safe fresh fruits and vegetables, yet cases have proven that consuming these fresh fruits and vegetables is not always safe. A survey of 63 samples of fresh fruits and vegetables were screened for the presence of Shigella species consisting of the following: Cucumber (Cucumis satavum), Carrot (Daucus carota), Pawpaw (Carica papaya), Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and Pineapple (Ananas cosmosus) bought from Magboro or Ibafo markets in Ogun State and Jakande market, Magodo market and Yaba market in Lagos state. Ibafo lettuce (SIL) had the highest total viable count of 7.8 log10 cfu/g. Shigella species were identified in 21 samples (33%) of the fresh produce. Lettuce, cabbage, and carrot had the highest number of Shigella, revealing that the fresh produce had been highly polluted by pathogenic microbes. The largest incidence of Shigella species was found positive in lettuce, followed by carrots, and cabbage. Molecular confirmation by PCR of the shigella species carried out using 16S rDNA and ipaH gene. Most fruits and vegetables investigated in this study were heavily contaminated with shigella species and could be linked to improper hygiene by the food handlers. Adequate awareness should be provided to the general public in terms of safety and hygiene of fresh produce from this locations.