Comparative Assessment of Faecal Bacterial Contamination of Vegetables from the Central and Fresh Food Markets in Foumbot, West-Cameroon
Arielle Marie-Pierre Kammegne
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Honorine Ntangmo Tsafack *
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Franck Robean Wamba
Department of Forestry, Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Teh Exodus Akwa
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Gerard Kaptue Wambo
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Laura Ladouce Yanguem
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Jules Vales Teikeu Teuoussi
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
Joseph Lubala Amani
Research Unit of Biology and Applied Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon and Teaching Unit and Applied Hydrobiology Research, Department of Biology-Chemistry, ISP Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo.
Emile Temgoua
Research Unit of Faculty of Soil Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Department of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The health quality of vegetables sold in Cameroon is still not well known. The objective of this study was to determine the health risk associated with the consumption of vegetables sold in markets in Foumbot, to inform strategies for consumer protection. Hundred samples of vegetables (Carrots, celery, basil, parsley, lettuce, tomato, African eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, chillies), i.e. 50 per market (the central and fresh food markets) were taken and faecal coliforms, E. coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and faecal streptococci were investigated using the plattage technique. The one-way ANOVA test (analysis of variance) was used to compare the mean bacterial contamination levels among samples for all analyses, differences were considered significant for values of P < 0.05. Results showed that the bacterial load in the samples exceeded the standards set by the Health and Information Communication System (SCISCOM. Observed values were: African eggplant (4.48 to 5.90 Log CFU/g), basil (4.77 to 4.84 Log CFU/g), carrots (4.42 to 6.05 Log CFU/g), celery (4.54 to 4.84 Log CFU/g), cucumbers (4.59 to 5.64 Log CFU/g), lettuce (3.73 to 4.72 Log CFU/g), parsley (4.01 to 5.98 Log CFU/g), peppers (2.66 to 5.75 Log CFU/g), chillies (4.31 to 4.92 Log CFU/g) and tomatoes (4.09 to 4.89 Log CFU/g). Overall, only a few vegetable samples had bacterial loads that met the standard set by Scicom (1000 faecal coliforms/g, 100 E. coli/g and 0 CFU/25g of vegetable for Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and faecal streptococci). The presence of these bacterial, which exceed the norm, represents a real risk for consumers and is thought to be responsible for the presence of food-borne illnesses in the commune of Foumbot. Consequently, it is imperative to implement education and awareness strategies on food hygiene among vendors and consumers and, establish food safety management protocols, in collaboration with local health authorities. Protecting consumer health and ensuring food safety must become priorities in local public health policies.
Keywords: Health risk, market garden products, faecal bacteria, foumbot, West-Cameroon