Occurrence and analysis of contaminationfactors of parasites found in vegetables in Brazil

Abstract

Intestinal parasites are a concern in less developed countries, worsening health in Brazil and around the world. Based on this, this study aims to analyze the occurrence of parasitic microorganisms found in foods of plant origin, such as vegetables, as they are very present on the table of many families, check which ones occur most and analyze the risk factors responsible for the occurrences and contaminations of people who consume these foods in Brazil. The research was carried out based on a literature review, being of the integrative type, where data was collected through the databases: Google Scholar and Scientific Electronic Library Online, to answer two questions. The first question about the occurrence of parasites in vegetables with publications between the years 2013 and 2023. In the second guiding question, articles were found that discuss the problem and the factors that led to the contamination of vegetables, between the years 2000 and 2023. Both questions followed the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. As a result, a total of 35 articles were selected. The parasite that was most prevalent in the studies was Entamoeba spp. many others are found, such as Ancylostoma spp. and Strongyloides spp. The contamination factors are characterized as the use of untreated water; lack of biological control; poor hygiene of cultivation and commercial areas; inadequate storage and lack of knowledge of safe cultivation practices, which reveals unfavorable conditions in the Brazilian scenario when it comes to the subject and the causes that help it.