Date of Publication

4-2026

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology major in Medical Biology

Subject Categories

Biology

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Advisor

Jessica Joyce R. De Guia

Defense Panel Chair

Mary Jane C. Flores

Defense Panel Member

Helenar G. Chan
Bridget C. Arellano

Abstract (English)

Vegetables form a significant portion of food consumption among Filipinos, but they can be contaminated with parasites, posing potential public health risks. This study assessed parasitic contamination in romaine lettuce sold in supermarkets and public wet markets in Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, specifically analyzing the samples for parasitic identification, prevalence, and mean intensity. A total of 30 lettuce samples were collected over three consecutive weeks, with 15 samples from supermarkets and 15 from public wet markets. Results showed that 2 of the 30 lettuce samples (6.7%) were contaminated with foodborne parasites, with Ascaris spp. being the only parasite detected. Non-parasitic organisms, including a snail and an earthworm, were observed but excluded from analysis. The prevalence of contamination was identical in both market types, with one positive sample in supermarkets and one in public wet markets, and statistical analysis indicated no significant difference (p = 1.00). The supermarket sample had a mean intensity of 7 Ascaris eggs, while the wet market sample had a mean intensity of 2 eggs; however, meaningful statistical comparison was limited due to the low number of positive samples. Notably, both fertilized and unfertilized Ascaris eggs were observed. Unfertilized eggs were more common in the supermarket sample, suggesting lower infective potential, while all eggs in the wet market sample were fertilized, indicating a higher transmission risk. Overall, although only a few samples were positive, these findings highlight the importance of proper washing and hygiene practices in reducing foodborne parasitic risks.

Keywords: romaine lettuce, parasitic contamination, Ascaris spp., supermarkets, public wet markets, Quezon City, prevalence, mean intensity, fertilized, unfertilized.

Abstract Format

html

Abstract (Filipino)

Ang mga gulay ay bumubuo ng malaking bahagi ng pagkonsumo ng pagkain ng mga Pilipino, ngunit maaari itong makontamina ng mga parasito na nagdudulot ng posibleng panganib sa pampublikong kalusugan. Sinuri ng pag-aaral na ito ang parasitikong kontaminasyon sa letsugas na romaine na ibinebenta sa mga supermarket at pampublikong palengke sa Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, partikular na ang pagkilala sa mga parasito, prevalence, at mean intensity. Kabuuang tatlumpung (30) sample ng letsugas ang nakolekta sa loob ng tatlong magkakasunod na linggo, kung saan labinlimang (15) sample ang mula sa mga supermarket at labinlimang (15) sample naman ang mula sa mga pampublikong palengke. Ipinakita ng resulta na 2 sa 30 mga sample (6.7%) ang positibo sa parasitikong kontaminasyon, at Ascaris spp. lamang ang natukoy na parasito. May mga natukoy ding hindi parasitikong organismo, kabilang ang isang kuhol (snail) at isang bulate (earthworm), ngunit hindi ito isinama sa pagsusuri. Magkapareho ang prevalence ng kontaminasyon sa parehong uri ng pamilihan, na may tig-isang positibong sample sa supermarket at sa pampublikong palengke, at ipinakita ng istatistikal na pagsusuri na walang makabuluhang pagkakaiba (p = 1.00). Ang supermarket sample ay may mean intensity na 7 itlog ng Ascaris spp., habang ang sample mula sa pampublikong palengke ay may mean intensity na 2 itlog; gayunpaman, limitado ang makabuluhang istatistikal na paghahambing dahil sa maliit na bilang ng positibong sample. Natukoy ang parehong fertilized at unfertilized na itlog ng Ascaris. Mas marami ang unfertilized na itlog mula sa supermarket sample, na nagpapahiwatig ng mas mababang kakayahang makahawa, samantalang lahat ng itlog sa pampublikong palengke ay fertilized, na nagpapakita ng mas mataas na panganib ng impeksyon. Sa kabuuan, bagama’t iilan lamang ang positibong sample, mahalaga ang wastong paghuhugas ng mga gulay upang mabawasan ang impeksyong dulot ng mga parasito.

Keywords: letsugas, parasitikong kontaminasyon, Ascaris spp., supermarkets, pampublikong palengke, Quezon City, prevalence, mean intensity, fertilized, unfertilized.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Lettuce; Parasites; Markets--Philippines--Quezon City

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Embargo Period

4-16-2027

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Available for download on Friday, April 16, 2027

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