Detection of enteroparasites in salad served in a university restaurant located in the northern region of Paraná state, Brazil

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the parasitic contamination of in natura vegetables, washed vegetables stored in refrigeration and washed and seasoned vegetables exposed to consumption, served in a university restaurant in the northern region of Paraná State. Six samples were analyzed by the method of spontaneous sedimentation, centrifuge-flotation in zinc sulfate and sedimentation by centrifugation (adapted). Among all analysis, 66.67% were contaminated with intestinal parasites, 33.3% with Ascaris sp. eggs, 16.67% with Balantidium coli trophozoite and 16.67% with Iodamoeba butschlii cyst. These results show that the vegetables obtained by the university restaurant have an inadequate hygienic-sanitary quality standard. Thus, there is a need for guidance to producers and food handlers regarding the correct manipulation and hygiene of vegetables, aiming at reducing parasitic diseases transmitted by food.