Determination of E. coli /coliforms in iceberg lettuce samples obtained from the “27 de febrero” market, august 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Contamination in food has become a public health problem, causing significant pathologies in humans. Different microbiological colonies, such as E. coli and coliforms, are studied. These groups of bacteria can be identified in different types of foods, including iceberg lettuce, due to their production parameters and poor agricultural practices. Objective: To determine the presence of E. coli / coliforms in iceberg lettuce sold in the “27 de Febrero” market in Cuenca.  Methods: A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study in August 2023 was conducted with 30 samples collected to identify E. coli / coliforms in iceberg lettuce. Results: The determination of E. coli/coliforms in the 30 samples of lettuce analyzed from the “27 de Febrero” market in Cuenca indicates a growth of 30% for E. coli, which determines some degree of contamination, and 100% for coliforms that pass the limits established by the Peruvian Sanitary Regulations. Conclusions: The frequency of E. coli/coliforms was determined in samples collected from iceberg lettuce sold by traders at the “27 de Febrero” market in Cuenca from various contamination factors throughout its production, one of them being the quality of the irrigation water in direct contact with this product.