Detection of Potential Contaminants of Leafy Vegetables Sold at General Santos City Public Market

Vegetables have become an essential part of Filipino diet. However, consuming raw vegetables may become cause of acquiring bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. This study aimed to determine the distribution of potential contaminants detected in raw leafy vegetables sold at General Santos City Public Market. A total of 20 vegetables (iceberg lettuce (L. sativa var. capitata L.) and water spinach (I. aquatica F.)) were collected from the said market. Vegetables obtained from the market showed that 87.5% of the detected contaminants were fungal spores, 11.4% were pollen grains, and 1.1% were infected with soil-transmitted helminth parasite, Strongyloides stercoralis B. Possible factors that lead to contamination of the vegetables may come from infested farm soils and irrigation water, mishandling during transportation and distribution may also contribute to the contamination as well as contaminated containers and market environment. The study recommends a direct sampling of leafy vegetables and farm soils to assess the contaminants determining their points of entry. A study with larger sample size of leafy vegetables is also recommended to gather more accurate data on the occurrence of potential contaminants in the said market.