Microbial Quality of Sliced Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Sold on Some Streets of Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Olu-Taiwo, Michael; De-Graft, Baakwa Miah; Forson, Audrey

doi:10.1155/2021/6695957

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Enterobacter aerogenes, Providential alcalifactiens, and Klebsiella oxytoca strains occurred on the surfaces of watermelons in direct contact with the soil in both organic and conventional fields. The Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated in this study were similar to those reported in a similar study [ 16 ], where Citrobacter sp. Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Incidence of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains in Organic and Conventional Watermelons Grown in Tennessee

Akaeze

Kilonzo‐Nthenge

Nandwani

et al. 2022

Foods

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The production and consumption of organic fresh produce have constantly increased since the 1990s. Consumers prefer organic produce because it does not contain synthetic chemical residues that are often implicated in health problems. The contamination of fresh produce by pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae strains remains a major challenge, and is responsible for frequent foodborne disease outbreaks. The use of antibiotics has proved an effective treatment, but the increase in occurrences of antibiotic resistance is becoming a health challenge. This study seeks to establish the presence of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacteriaceae on organic and conventional watermelon fruits. Watermelons used for this study were cultivated at the Tennessee State University Certified Organic Farm, Nashville. At harvest, nine fruits were selected from among fruits lying on plastic mulch, and nine from fruits lying on the soil of both organic and conventional plots. These were placed in sterile sample bags for microbial analysis. Spread plating technique, API 20E, and apiweb software were used for microbial isolation and identification. Identified strains were tested for antimicrobial resistance against 12 common antibiotics. Seventeen Enterobacteriaceae strains were isolated and identified. Isolates were susceptible to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol, but were resistant to cefoxitin. Citrobacter freundii showed a 14.3% resistance to Streptomycin. Pantoea spp. and Providencia rettigeri showed 50% and 100% resistance to tetracycline. Findings from this study confirm the presence of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains on organic watermelons in Nashville, TN.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 89%

Incidence of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains in Organic and Conventional Watermelons Grown in Tennessee

Akaeze

Kilonzo‐Nthenge

Nandwani

et al. 2022

Foods

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“…Notably, the total coliform count exceeded the faecal coliform count, indicating that the primary source of contamination was soil rather than faecal matter. Tese fndings align with similar investigations conducted in various regions of Ghana, as well as other developing nations [25,28,29]. Te detection of E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp.…”

Section: Total Coliform Faecal Coliform and Enterococci Counts Insupporting

confidence: 81%

Microbial Quality of Some Fresh-Cut Ready-to-Eat Fruits Sold in Some Markets and Bus Terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Boampong,

Essiaw-Quayson,

Sarpong

et al. 2023

Journal of Food Quality

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The consumption of fruits is an important source of vitamins and micronutrients. Despite their health benefits, fruits have been linked to food-borne infections, particularly when untreated animal excreta are used in their cultivation and not properly washed before consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the parasitological, fungal, and bacteriological quality of some fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits sold in markets and bus terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. A total of 270 fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits, including pineapples, watermelon, pawpaw, sugarcane, and tiger nuts, were sampled from both stationary vendors and hawkers from six different locations in the Kumasi Metropolis. Samples were analysed for the presence of bacteria, fungi, and intestinal parasites using the Microbial Methods in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) of the United States Food and Drugs Administration (2001). The pour plate technique was used to culture and grow bacteria and fungi, while the most probable number (MPN) table was employed for bacteria and fungi count. The total coliform counts ranged from 2.32 to 3.15 log cfu/g; faecal coliform counts ranged from 1.58 to 2.58 log cfu/g; enterococci count ranged from 1.06 to 1.90 log cfu/g; and fungal count ranged from 2.57 to 3.73 log cfu/g. There was a significant difference in the mean faecal coliform and enterococci counts for all fruit samples. Tiger nut had the most bacteria, while watermelon was the most fungi contaminated fruit. Shigella spp. was the commonest bacteria contaminates of fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits sold in Kumasi. Giardia lamblia was the most abundant parasite detected. Fresh-cut ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables sold in markets and bus terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana, are contaminated with bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These findings emphasize the need for public awareness and proper hygiene practices to reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses associated with the consumption of fresh-cut fruits.

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“…Studies conducted in Accra and Kumasi in Ghana (Cornish et al, 1999;Drechsel et al, 2000;Mensah et al, 2001;Keraita et al, 2002) have confirmed that most horticultural produce are contaminated using fresh poultry manure and also with contaminated irrigation water with fecal coliforms that exceed the WHO recommended level of 1 × 103, 100 mL -1 for unrestricted irrigation. Handling, especially during harvesting, slicing and transportation where good sanitary standards (such as washing with potable water) are lacking also results in the contamination of produce (Olu-Taiwo et al, 2021).…”

Section: Microbiological Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the consumption of fruits and vegetables has many benefits, food safety is still of great concern owing to poor pre and postharvest handling. Such poor practices result in the contamination of produce with foodborne hazards, which when consumed result in an escalation of foodborne illness (Olu-Taiwo et al, 2021). According to an FAO/WHO report, out of the 1,400 microbial species responsible for contaminating food, 58% were identified as zoonotic which included Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli O157:H7.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food safety in the horticultural sector in Ghana: challenges, risk factors and interventions

Essilfie,

Lamptey,

Baddoo

et al. 2023

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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The fruit and vegetable industry remains one of Ghana’s most promising agricultural sectors mainly because of heightened awareness of the health benefits associated with their consumption. However, food safety is of ultimate concern due to the association of foodborne hazards resulting in escalation of foodborne illness. This report is a review of key foodborne hazards in Ghana’s horticultural value chain. The study identified the risk factors and hazards that contaminate fruits and vegetables in addition to existing methods for mitigating health risks and reducing pathogen levels in the produce. The study revealed that enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. mainly contaminate produce through fresh manure and contaminated irrigation water used during the production of vegetables. Chemical hazards identified included pesticides (organochlorine pesticides) and heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and lead. Physical hazards identified included twigs, roots, sand, and stones. Washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly with potable water and sanitizing with vinegar and Chlorine solutions were among the common practices stakeholders adopted to reduce microbial levels. Soil remediation was also reported as a common approach for reducing chemical contaminants in agricultural fields. The study, therefore, recommends establishing a traceability system as well as appropriate measures and standards for hygienic practices for fresh fruits and vegetables produced and sold on the local market in Ghana. Value chain actors should be sensitized regularly on measures and interventions that can be employed to significantly reduce the levels of foodborne hazards and associated risks.

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Microbial Quality of Sliced Pawpaw (Carica papaya) and Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Sold on Some Streets of Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Cited by 10 publications

References 18 publications

Incidence of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains in Organic and Conventional Watermelons Grown in Tennessee

Incidence of Drug-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Strains in Organic and Conventional Watermelons Grown in Tennessee

Microbial Quality of Some Fresh-Cut Ready-to-Eat Fruits Sold in Some Markets and Bus Terminals in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Food safety in the horticultural sector in Ghana: challenges, risk factors and interventions

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