Abstract

RODRIGUEZ Q, Marisol et al. Evaluation of microbiological contamination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the food chain, province of Quillacollo, Cochabamba, Bolivia 2015. Gac Med Bol [online]. 2015, vol.38, n.2, pp.31-36. ISSN 1012-2966.

Infectious diseases transmitted by food, are considered a public health issue, several studies shown the high microbiological contamination of the letucce in particular (Lactuca sativa).The aim of this study was to evalúate the contamination of letucce at Quillacollo Province of Cochabamba- Bolivia.The samples were taken between april and may, with the same number of samples at production plots (Combuyo location),and atselling places of vegetables and food (markets) such as "9 de diciembre" market and "Central Quillacollo" market. The samples were processed at LABIMED laboratories (microbiology, and Tropical Medicine Post grade of medicine Faculty of San Simón University). Results shows contamination of lettuce with Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterias, and total coliforms and fecal coliforms, in higher concentration than standard allowed, at any point of chain food that has been evalúate; Sallmonella sp was identify at selling points with 83% of the samples and only at the month of may (n=10 of 12 samples examined) also Entamoeba coli cysts and Strongyloides sp worms; the contamination was associate with bird fertilizer at crops and at inapropiate food management of the lettuce. Therefore we can conclude that lettuce's contamination is present at the three evaluated points of its chain, production selling points until consume, wich must be considered as a public health risk.

Keywords : lettuce; microbiological contamination; food chain.

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