Contamination Alert: Microbial and Heavy Metal Levels in Green Vegetables
Peringatan Kontaminasi: Tingkat Mikroba dan Logam Berat pada Sayuran Hijau
-
(1) * Naqaa K. Ali
Department Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
Iraq
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
This study investigated microbial and heavy metal contamination in leeks, a staple green vegetable, focusing on seasonal variations and contamination sources. One hundred leek samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and lead. Findings indicated contamination was higher in district areas compared to city centers, with the highest concentrations of zinc reaching 28.41 ppm during the summer. Results highlight the urgent need for improved contamination prevention measures and increased health awareness to ensure vegetable safety.
Highlights:
- Higher District Contamination: Microbial levels were notably higher in district areas compared to city centers.
- Seasonal Metal Peaks: Zinc concentration spiked during the summer, reflecting seasonal impacts on heavy metal levels.
- Urgent Safety Measures: The results call for urgent improvements in contamination prevention and public health education.
Keywords: Vegetable Safety, Microbial Contamination, Heavy Metals, Seasonal Variation, Public Health Awareness
Downloads
References
J. Wang, M. Ranjbaran, dan M. S. Verma, “Bacteroidales as a Fecal Contamination Indicator in Fresh Produce Industry: A Baseline Measurement,” J. Environ. Manage., vol. 351, hlm. 119641, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119641
B. Li dkk., “Filtration Assisted Pretreatment for Rapid Enrichment and Accurate Detection of Salmonella in Vegetables,” Food Sci. Hum. Wellness, vol. 12, no. 4, hlm. 1167-1173, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2022.10.042
T. O. Jimoh, M. M. Ndamitso, S. H. Abdullahi, dan B. MT, “Determination of Copper, Iron and Lead Levels in Selected Vegetables Obtained from the Three Main Markets, in Minna, North Central Nigeria,” Afr. J. Food Sci., vol. 6, no. 23, hlm. 554-559, 2012.
P. Atitsogbey, E. Kyereh, H. Ofori, P. N. T. Johnson, dan M. Steiner-Asiedu, “Heavy Metal, Microbial and Pesticides Residue Contaminations Are Limiting the Potential Consumption of Green Leafy Vegetables in Ghana: An Overview,” Heliyon, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15466
N. Farid, A. Waheed, dan S. Motwani, “Synthetic and Natural Antimicrobials as a Control Against Foodborne Pathogens: A Review,” Heliyon, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17021
B. M. Taban dan A. K. Halkman, “Do Leafy Green Vegetables and Their Ready-to-Eat [RTE] Salads Carry a Risk of Foodborne Pathogens?,” Anaerobe, vol. 17, no. 6, hlm. 286-287, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2011.04.004
S. A. Mir, M. A. Shah, M. M. Mir, B. N. Dar, R. Greiner, dan S. Roohinejad, “Microbiological Contamination of Ready-to-Eat Vegetable Salads in Developing Countries and Potential Solutions in the Supply Chain to Control Microbial Pathogens,” Food Control, vol. 85, hlm. 235-244, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.10.006
C. D. Iwu dan A. I. Okoh, “Preharvest Transmission Routes of Fresh Produce Associated Bacterial Pathogens with Outbreak Potentials: A Review,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health, vol. 16, no. 22, hlm. 4407, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224407
N. B. Douti, E. E. Y. Amuah, S. K. Abanyie, dan P. Amanin-Ennin, “Irrigation Water Quality and Its Impact on the Physicochemical and Microbiological Contamination of Vegetable Produced from Market Gardening: A Case of the Vea Irrigation Dam, UER, Ghana,” J. Water Health, vol. 19, no. 2, hlm. 203, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2021.274
J. B. Gurtler dan K. E. Gibson, “Irrigation Water and Contamination of Fresh Produce with Bacterial Foodborne Pathogens,” Curr. Opin. Food Sci., 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100889
B. Sun, Y. Luo, D. Yang, J. Yang, Y. Zhao, dan J. Zhang, “Coordinative Management of Soil Resources and Agricultural Farmland Environment for Food Security and Sustainable Development in China,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public. Health, vol. 20, no. 4, hlm. 3233, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043233
D. O. Demirezen dan K. Uruc, “Comparative Study of Trace Elements in Certain Fish, Meat, and Meat Products,” Food Chem., vol. 32, hlm. 215-222, 2006.
R. K. Sharma, M. Agrawal, dan F. M. Marshall, “Heavy Metal (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) Contamination of Vegetables in Urban India: A Case Study in Varanasi,” Environ. Pollut., vol. 154, no. 2, hlm. 254-263, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2007.10.010
A. Hussain, M. Priyadarshi, dan S. Dubey, “Experimental Study on Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetables Irrigated with Treated Wastewater,” Appl. Water Sci., vol. 9, hlm. 1-11, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0999-4
K. Abass, J. K. Ganle, dan E. Adaborna, “Coliform Contamination of Peri-Urban Grown Vegetables and Potential Public Health Risks: Evidence from Kumasi, Ghana,” J. Community Health, vol. 41, no. 2, hlm. 392-397, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-015-0109-y
C. H. Kuan dkk., “Comparison of the Microbiological Quality and Safety Between Conventional and Organic Vegetables Sold in Malaysia,” Front. Microbiol., vol. 8, hlm. 1433, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01433
S. C. Barman, R. K. Sahu, S. K. Bhargava, dan C. Chaterjee, “Distribution of Heavy Metals in Wheat, Mustard, and Weed Grown in Field Irrigated with Industrial Effluents,” Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., vol. 64, hlm. 489-496, 2000. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s001280000030
K. Schwaiger, K. Helmke, C. S. Hölzel, dan J. Bauer, “Comparative Analysis of the Bacterial Flora of Vegetables Collected Directly from Farms and from Supermarkets in Germany,” Int. J. Environ. Health Res., vol. 21, no. 3, hlm. 161-172, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2010.515672
S. B. Akinde dkk., “Microbes in Irrigation Water and Fresh Vegetables: Potential Pathogenic Bacteria Assessment and Implications for Food Safety,” Appl. Biosaf., vol. 21, no. 2, hlm. 89-97, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1535676016652231
E. W. Koneman, W. M. Allen, P. C. Janda, P. Schreckenberger, dan J. R. Winn, “Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology.” hlm. 171-230, 1997.
V. Huvarova dkk., “Tracing of Selected Viral, Bacterial, and Parasitic Agents on Vegetables and Herbs Originating from Farms and Markets,” J. Food Sci., vol. 83, no. 12, hlm. 3044-3053, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.14385
R. Abdel-Zahra, S. Abdel-Hamza, S. A.-R. Shatti, dan D. Hassan, “Bacterial Contamination of Meat and Vegetable Cutting Board Used in Restaurants and Houses and the Role of Detergents in Controlling on Contamination,” J. Kerbala Univ., vol. 15, no. 3, 2017.
Z. A. Azzez, A. A. Al-Sallihy, dan K. A. Rasheed, “Effects of Heavy Metals Emission from Al-Dura Power Station on the Soil Surrounding,” Glob. J. Sci. Front. Res., vol. 16, no. 2, 2016.
A. K. A. Al-Hayali, “An Environmental Study of Some Pollutants in the City of Mosul,” M.Sc. thesis, College of Science, University of Mosul, 2001.
F. H. Al-Shammari, “Effect of Lead and Nickel on Growth and Some Physiological Aspects of Sunflower Plants,” J. Educ. Sci., vol. 22, no. 35, hlm. 179-191, 2009.
D. Banerjee, H. Bairagi, dan S. Mukhopadhyay, “Heavy Metal Contamination in Fruits and Vegetables in Two Districts of West Bengal, India,” J Env. Agric Food Chem, vol. 9, no. 9, hlm. 1423-1432, 2010.
A. Torabian dan M. Mahjori, “Effect of Sewage Irrigation on Heavy Metal Uptake by Leafy Vegetables in Southern Tehran,” J Water Soil, vol. 16, no. 2, hlm. 189-195, 2003.
R. K. Sharma, M. Agrawal, dan F. M. Marshall, “Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in Varanasi City, India,” Environ. Monit. Assess., vol. 142, hlm. 269-278, 2008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9924-7
O. S. Durowoju, J. O. Odiyo, dan G. E. Ekosse, “Variations of Heavy Metals from Geothermal Spring to Surrounding Soil and Mangifera Indica–Siloam Village, Limpopo Province,” Sustainability, vol. 8, no. 1, 2016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su8010060
Copyright (c) 2024 Naqaa K. Ali
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
