Microbial Contamination of Vegetables Produced at Smallholdings in the Urban and Peri-Urban Area of Meknes City, Morocco

Abstract

The use of wastewater for irrigation is common in urban and peri-urban farms in Meknes city (Morocco). However, this water may contain waterborne pathogens that cause serious infections, including gastroenteritis, typhoid, cholera, and more severe pathologies. The consumption of contaminated vegetables could be a significant public health problem. This study aims to determine the bacterial and parasitic quality of vegetables produced in wastewater-irrigated farms in urban and peri urban areas of Meknes. The results showed a high bacterial load of vegetables. Total coliforms ranged from 1.2.102 CFU/g to 105 CFU/g, The consumption of contaminated vegetables could be a significant public health problem. This study aims to determine the bacterial and parasitic quality of vegetables produced in wastewater-irrigated farms in urban and peri urban areas of Meknes. The results showed a high bacterial load of vegetables. Total coliforms ranged from 1.2.102 CFU/g to 105 CFU/g, and fecal coliforms ranged from 10 CFU/g to 3.18.104 CFU/g. Many bacterial pathogenic species have been isolated, including Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium spp. For parasite contamination, helminths eggs were the most prevalent, followed by protozoan cysts, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia Lamblia. Of all the vegetables examined, lettuce was the most contaminated. Therefore, the handling and consumption of irrigated vegetables can present a high risk of infection among farmers and consumers.