Title of article :
Microbiological Safety of Leafy Vegetables Produced at Houeyiho and Sèmè-Kpodji Vegetable Farms in Southern Benin: Risk Factors for Campylobacter spp.
Author/Authors :
Daton Kougblénou, Sylvain Laboratory of Food Microbiology - Ministry of Health - 01 P.O. Box 418 - Cotonou, Benin , Jerrold Agbankpé, Alidéhou Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances - Research Laboratory in Applied Biology - Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi - University of Abomey-Calavi - 01 P.O. Box 2009 - Cotonou, Benin , Gbèssohélé Béhanzin, Justin Laboratory of Molecular Physiopathology and Toxicology - Faculty of Science and Technology - University of Abomey-Calavi - 01 P.O. Box 4521 - Cotonou, Benin , Victorien Dougnon, Tamègnon Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances - Research Laboratory in Applied Biology - Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi - University of Abomey-Calavi - 01 P.O. Box 2009 - Cotonou, Benin , Victonie Aniambossou, Alidah Research Unit in Applied Microbiology and Pharmacology of Natural Substances - Research Laboratory in Applied Biology - Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi - University of Abomey-Calavi - 01 P.O. Box 2009 - Cotonou, Benin , Baba-Moussa, Lamine Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology - Faculty of Science and Technology - University of Abomey-Calavi - 05 P.O. Box 1604 - Cotonou, Benin , Sourou Bankolé, Honoré Laboratory of Food Microbiology - Ministry of Health - 01 P.O. Box 418 - Cotonou, Benin
Abstract :
Foodborne infections, mainly those attributable to Campylobacter, are one of the most common causes of intestinal diseases, of
bacterial origin in humans. Although the vehicle of transmission is not always identifed, the most common vehicles are poultry,
poultry products, and contaminated water. In Southern Benin, an excessive use of poultry manure as fertilizer in vegetable farms
was noted. Tis survey aimed to determine the prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter spp., especially Campylobacter
jejuni and Campylobacter coli, in selected environmental samples (poultry manure, and irrigation water) and freshly harvested
leafy vegetables in two (Houeyiho and Sèmè-Kpodji) vegetable farms in southern Benin. To achieve this objective, we analyzed 280
samples, including 224 samples of leafy vegetables (Solanum macrocarpon and Lactuca sativa capita), 28 samples of irrigation water,
and 28 samples of poultry manure. Te analysis of the samples taken was carried out according to the modifed NF EN ISO 10272-1
standard. Of the 280 samples analyzed in this survey, 63 were positive for Campylobacter contamination. For leafy vegetable samples
analyzed in this survey, the contamination rate was of 15.63%. 60.71% of poultry manure samples analyzed were contaminated with
Campylobacter spp. and 39.29% of irrigation water samples were contaminated. Te statistical analysis of these results showed that
there is a correlation between the contamination of leafy vegetables, poultry manure, and irrigations (� < 0.01). Campylobacter
jejuni (53.97%) was more involved in contaminations than Campylobacter coli (36.57%). Tis study has shown that there is a real
risk of food poisoning by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli among consumers of leafy vegetables in southern Benin. Te
origin of contamination of these leafy vegetables is poultry manure used as fertilizer in vegetable gardens and irrigation water used.
Keywords :
Microbiological Safety , Leafy Vegetables , Houeyiho , Sèmè-Kpodji Vegetable Farms , Southern Benin , Campylobacter spp.
Journal title :
International Journal of Food Science
