Intestinal protozoan infection is a common zoonotic parasitic disease worldwide. Contaminated
fresh vegetables and fruits are important sources of parasitic infections. This study identified the
parasites infesting raw green vegetables and fruits and effect of some washing solutions to eliminate
them.
A total of 398/1000 samples of green vegetables and fruits collected from October 2020 to September
2021 were infested with intestinal protozoa. Contaminated parasites were diagnosed microscopic
by stained smears and flotation of each materials sample separately. Lemon juice 10%,
sodium salt solution 1.5% and vinegar 0.5% were used to control parasitic stages as com-pared to
tap water & potassium permanganate solution 150ppm as standard ones.
The commonest parasites were Entamoeba histolytica (19.2%) followed by Cryptosporidium
parvum (18%). The most contaminated vegetables were watercress (64/113) followed by lettuce
(56/99), with a significant seasonal variation in all parasites prevalence and incidence on plants.
Vinegar 5%, lemon 10% & salt 1.5% gave highly significant lethal effect on all parasites as compared
to water (P= 0.0001). Besides, potassium permanganate, lemon juice gave a significant lethal
effect on C. parvum, but the sodium salt solution was only significant on E. histolytica, G.
lamblia and Blastocystis hominis.