African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Microbiological quality of fresh lettuce sold at Lilongwe market, Malawi: Does purchasing time matter?

Kitty Cathy Mngoli
  • Kitty Cathy Mngoli
  • Department of Food Science and Technology, Bunda College Campus, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
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Tinna Austen Ng’ong’ola-Manani*
  • Tinna Austen Ng’ong’ola-Manani*
  • Department of Food Science and Technology, Bunda College Campus, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
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  •  Accepted: 23 January 2014
  •  Published: 05 February 2014

Abstract

Fifteen (15) samples of fresh lettuce were bought from Lilongwe city market, Malawi in the morning, afternoon and evening and were examined for microbiological quality. Counts ranged from 1.2×105 to 6.9×105 cfu/g for total Enterobacteriaceae and 1.5×104 to 1.1×106 mpn/g for total coliforms. Higher total Enterobacteriaceae and total coliform counts in the afternoon samples and presence of fecal coliforms in all evening samples suggested that comparatively safer lettuce was sold in the morning. Poor handling practices at the market and temperature abuse could be responsible for contamination and microbial proliferation during retail of the lettuce.

Key words: Lettuce, Lilongwe, market, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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