The epibacterial flora of vegetables belonging to solanaceae, cucuribtaceae and brassicaceae families produced and consumed in al-Mafraq governate, Jordan

Other Title(s)

البيئة البكتيرية الخارجية لخضراوات تنتمي للعائلات الباذنجانية، القرعية، و الكرنبية المزروعة و المستهلكة في محافظة المفرق، الأردن

Dissertant

Salamah, Wafa al-Tayyib

Thesis advisor

Irshid, Fawzi
Jacub, Jacub H.

Comitee Members

al-Tarawinah, Khalid Ahmad
Husayn, Imad Ibrahim
Abu Zaitwn, Ahmad

University

Al albayt University

Faculty

Faculty of Sciences

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

University Country

Jordan

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2012

English Abstract

Vegetables are commonly produced in a natural environment.

Thus, vegetables can become contaminated with various kinds of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses.

Some of these microorganisms have the capability to cause various human illnesses.

Outbreaks of human diseases associated with the consumption of raw vegetables have been reported in both developing and developed countries.

Different vegetables can be contaminated at various locations, including the farm and supermarkets.

Therefore, the goal of this current study is to investigate the abundance and identity of epibacterial flora found on the surface vegetables belonging to Solanaceae, Cucuribtaceae and Brassicaceae families produced and consumed in Al-Mafraq Governate.

A total of 63 samples were collected from three different families )Solanaceae, Cucuribtaceae and Brassicaceae) from three different locations : farms, central vegetable supermarket, and vegetable's street seller.

Concentrations of bacteria per cm2 surface area for each individual sample were then estimated in the lab. Qualitative analysis of bacterial isolates was also carried out using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach.

Our data revealed that the average values of bacteria found on the surface of vegetables from vegetable’s street seller were found to be the highest when compared to those obtained from farms and central vegetable supermarket.

Average numbers of epibacterial flora on the surface of Brassicaceae family (cauliflower and cabbage (were lower than that recorded for Solanaceae, and Cucuribtaceae.

In addition, the average numbers of epibacterial flora on the surface of squash samples collected from farm, central vegetable supermarket, vegetable's street sellers were found to be six or ten times higher than that found on the surface of cucumber in all three locations.

Furthermore, our current study reveal that there are at least thirteen different epibacterial flora species that are found on the surface of these commonly consumed vegetable families at Al-Mfraq district.

These species are E.

coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Shigella sp, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shigella sonnei, Actinomyces naeslundii, Salmonella enterica, Brevibacterium (Gp B), Corynebacterium jeikeium, Enterobacter hormaechei, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Pseudomonas sp.

And Bacillus subtilis.

Some of these species can be pathogenic or potentially pathogenic to human.

In conclusion, pathogenic bacteria capable of causing human disease were found on the surfaces of these commonly consumed vegetables at Al-Mfraq.

These vegetables can be eaten as raw vegetables or minimally processed.

Therefore, consumers should be aware of these pathogenic microorganisms.

To ensure vegetables safety and quality, vegetable producers should properly handle these vegetables.

In addition, consumers must wash these vegetables thoroughly with clean hot water to remove possible dangerous microbial contamination and pesticides before peeling or cutting and eating them.

Main Subjects

Biology

Topics

• Microbiology
• Vegetables
• Food
• Jordan
• Mafraq

No. of Pages

70

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-315072