Assessment of Bacteriological Contamination and Pesticide Residues on Selected Vegetables Produced at the Anloga District in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Abstract

Globally, countries are promoting food security, improved nutrition and food safety to meet the Sustainable Development Goal II (SDG 2). The current research sought to assess the bacteriological contamination and pesticide residues on selected vegetables produced in the Anloga District in the Volta Region of Ghana. Seventy-five vegetable samples (cabbage, lettuce and spring onion) were collected from five farm lands in five communities. These samples were examined for the occurrence and loads of Salmonella species, Vibrio species and total coliform, as well as the occurrence and levels of pesticide residues. The bacteriological analyses were based on ISO 6579-1:2017, ISO 21872-1:2017 and ISO 4832:2006. Furthermore, a gas chromatography instrument was used to analyse pesticide residue. The results of the current study showed the presence of only total coliform. Both Salmonella species and Vibrio species were not detected. The load of total coliform bacteria recorded for cabbage, lettuce and spring onion ranged from 2.0×10³ to TNTC, 2.0×10⁵ to 2.0×10⁶ and 4.0×10⁵ to TNTC, respectively. In addition, the results of the current study showed that none of the three vegetables had detectable amounts of any of the thirty-six active ingredients of chemical pesticides explored in the current study. These results suggest that the vegetables produced from the Anloga District of the Volta Region of Ghana may be unfit for human consumption due to contamination by coliform. The results of this study will be a useful tool for future researchers who may undertake studies of a similar nature. This calls for quick action to guarantee that vegetables grown in the Anloga District area are bacteriologically safe for human consumption.