Salmonella spp. Implication in Products of Wastewater Irrigation

This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in lettuce (Lactucasativa), manured soil and wastewater. An initial analysis was carried out for indicator organisms such as E. coli and Total coliforms to be able to ascertain their presence prior to assessment of pathogenic microorganism. The study was carried out in Kumasi the second largest city in Ghana. A total of 111 samples were aseptically collected and analysed for Salmonella spp. using standard microbiological laboratory protocols. Out of 111 samples, 6(5.4%), 11(9.9%) and 4(3.6%) showed positive for lettuce, manured soil and irrigation water respectively. When one way ANNOVA was used to analysed the data the mean positive values showed no significant difference among the 3 groups of samples analysed (P=0.17). The study revealed that, wastewater which farmers rely on for unrestricted irrigation all year round, lettuce which is consumed raw and manured soil from irrigation fields are all contaminated with Salmonella spp.