RESUMEN
The presence of undesirable heavy metals, pesticide residues, and microbial contaminants in fresh produces is a worldwide public health concern. This study was undertaken to evaluate the residual pesticides (Diazinon, Malathion, Cypermethrin, Dimethoate, Quinalphos, and Chloropyrofos), heavy metal contamination (Pb, Cd, and Cr), and microbiological quality and safety of 4 common raw salad vegetables (RSVs) samples from different local markets in Dhaka. Results showed the presence of heavy metals residues were within the acceptable limits of local and international standards. None of the above-mentioned pesticides were found in tomato and cucumber samples but presence of Dimethoate was noticed in 13 coriander samples (12.94-158.3 µg/kg) and 7 lettuce samples (9.6-74.8 µg/kg) exceeding the maximum permissible limit of EU guideline. The microbiological analysis showed irrespective of RSV types, total aerobic bacteria was present in higher number (4.0-7.0 log CFU/g), whereas 3.36-5.57 log CFU/g coliform count was recorded. In comparison with retail markets, lower level of total aerobic, and coliform bacterial presence was observed in the samples collected from sophisticated shops, but presence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. were evident in more than 60% samples in these shops. However, 50% and 33% samples from wholesale and retail markets respectively were noticed to be contaminated with Staphylococcus spp. Irrespective of RSV types, isolated E. coli were found resistance to 2-5 different antibiotics, where Salmonella spp. isolated from cucumber and coriander leaves showed resistance against 4-8 different antimicrobials. Therefore, the study results demonstrated that, the presence of residual pesticides, multidrug resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. in the RSV samples posing concern when consumed raw. The regulatory bodies are expected to monitor and ensure the overall quality standards are in place and practiced by food producers and marketers responsible for handling and distribution of RSVs.
RESUMEN
It is evident that date fruits provide a wide variety of essential nutrients which impart potential human health benefits. In Bangladesh, the popularity of date and its consumption surge few-fold during Ramadan among Muslims owing to the profound emotion related to religious belief that breaking of dawn-to-dusk fasting with dates is fulfilling a Sunnah. The present study aimed to explore the microbiological quality of the five most popular fresh date samples (Nagal, Dhapas, Boroi, Morium, and Tunisia) purchased from different locations of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Among 25 samples tested, 23 were observed to carry 3.30-5.65 Log CFU/gm aerobic bacteria and 3.30-5.36 Log CFU/gm yeasts and molds population. Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli were not found in any of the samples analyzed in this study. However, except Nagal and Boroi from Mohammadpur and Mirpur, respectively, none of the samples were found safe to consume according to the microbiological grade recommended by Woolworths Quality Assurance Standard (WQAS), 2009, as fresh dates with microbial load can cause food poisoning or even foodborne intoxication. Date samples with less or no processing is responsible for this contamination which can be subsided and eliminated by appropriate handling and hygiene practices during postharvest processing.
