Ayeh-Kumi Patrick F, Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience B, Duedu Kwabena O, Obeng Akua S, Addo-Osafo Kantanka, Mortu Samuel, Asmah Richard H
Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
BMC Res Notes. 2014 Jun 6;7:343. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-7-343.
Cyperus esculentus L, is a minor but important crop in Ghana. They are noted mostly by their aphrodisiac properties among others. The nuts are often eaten raw as an unprocessed snack due to its rich flavour and texture. Though eaten raw, the nuts are sometimes handled unhygienically, posing a public health threat. This study therefore aimed at determining the level and distribution of parasitic and bacterial contaminants associated with the crop as it is sold.
Four types of intestinal parasites were identified, and the most prevalent was Cryptosporidium parvum (30.0%). Nuts contaminated with parasites were found only among street vendors. Bacteriological examination showed three different groups of bacterial isolates with the most prevalent being coliforms (54.2%). Unlike parasites, bacteria isolates were found among samples from both street vendors and market places. Multiple drug resistance was displayed by Proteus vulgaris.
Buying and eating nuts as well as other fruits taken raw from street vendors and market places could pose a significant public health threat. There is a need for efficient monitoring systems for food borne pathogens in Ghana.
香附子在加纳是一种不太常见但很重要的作物。它们因具有壮阳等特性而闻名。其坚果因味道浓郁、口感好，常被作为未加工的零食生食。尽管是生食，但坚果有时处理不卫生，对公众健康构成威胁。因此，本研究旨在确定该作物在销售时相关的寄生虫和细菌污染物的水平及分布情况。
鉴定出四种肠道寄生虫，其中最常见的是微小隐孢子虫（30.0%）。仅在街头小贩售卖的坚果中发现有寄生虫污染。细菌学检查显示有三类不同的细菌分离株，最常见的是大肠菌群（54.2%）。与寄生虫不同，在街头小贩和市场的样本中均发现有细菌分离株。普通变形杆菌表现出多重耐药性。
从街头小贩和市场购买并食用坚果以及其他生食水果可能对公众健康构成重大威胁。加纳需要建立有效的食源性病原体监测系统。
