BACTERIOLOGICAL AND PARASITOLOGICAL QUALITY OF READY-TO-EAT RAW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES (4TH RANGE PRODUCTS) SOLD IN THE STREETS OF BAFOUSSAM CITY, WEST CAMEROON
NTANGMO TSAFACK HONORINE
*
Biology and Ecology and Applied Research Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
JOKO TAMOUFÉ STÈVE
Biology and Ecology and Applied Research Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
KENFACK SIMÉON
African Water Association, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, P.O. Box 1174 Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
MELI TCHOFFO AUBERLIN
Biology and Ecology and Applied Research Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
AZEUFACK JOSÉLINE
Biology and Ecology and Applied Research Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 67 Dschang, Cameroon.
WAMBA FRANCK
Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 222 Dschang, Cameroon.
TEMGOUA EMILE
Soil Analysis and Environmental Chemistry Research Unit, Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon, P.O. Box 222 Dschang, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Water-borne diseases are endemic in the city of Bafoussam, and there is a question as to whether fourth range products might play a role. The objective of this study was to determine the health risk associated with the consumption of these products by determining their bacteriological and parasito logical quality. Ninety samples were collected in the town of Bafoussam and subjected to bacteriological and parasitological analyses using standard methods. Salmonella spp. were detected on these foods with loads exceeding the EU standard by 1 to 13804 times, Escherichia. coli by 1 to 79433 times, faecal coliforms by 1 to 1698 times, Shigella spp. by 1 to 1698 times and faecal streptococci by 1 to 338 times. Protozoa cysts were detected on these foods; aubergines were the most contaminated (80%), followed respectively by carrots (50%), tiger nuts (70%), coconuts (50%), watermelons (30%), pineapples (20%), oranges (40%) and papayas (20%). No parasitic elements were found on apples. The consumption of these foods constitutes a real parsitological and bacteriological risk for consumers. The consumption of these foods constitutes a real health risk for consumers. In order to protect consumers, the public authorities should raise awareness among producers, sellers and consumers of these products.
Keywords: Bacteriological quality, parasitological quality, ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables, health risk, Bafoussam