Table 1 Mean (range) total coliform and fecal coliform load (MPN/g) of sample from various markets
Vegetable type | Tiko | Buea | Limbe | Mean counts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total coliforms | ||||
 Green cabbage | 1536 (240 to > 2400) | 430.2 (93 to 1100) | 1032.9 (93 to > 2400) | 999.7 ± 1046.15 |
 Red cabbage | 618 (210 to > 2400) | 199.5 (75 to 210) | 1023.9 (63 to > 2400) | 613.8 ± 914.84 |
 Lettuce | 618 (150 to > 2400) | 1448.4 (21 to > 2400) | 1448.4 (21 to > 2400) | 1171.6 ± 117.16 |
 Cucumber | 154.2 (21 to 210) | 152 (20 to 240) | 790.0 (93 to > 2400) | 365.7 ± 616.24 |
 Carrot | 1029.3 (21 to > 2400) | 94.8 (21 to 210) | 1041.9 (63 to > 2400) | 722 ± 1081.44 |
 Green pepper | 102.9 (28 to 210) | 103 (4 to 150) | 306.3 (20 to 1100) | 170.73 ± 264.34 |
Fecal coliforms | ||||
 Green cabbage | 87.9 (4 to 210) | 27.7 (20 to 39) | 47.3 (7 to 93) | 54.17 ± 66.55 |
 Red cabbage | 69.3 (9 to 210) | 24.3 (9 to 39) | 22.2 (11 to 28) | 38.6 ± 58.86 |
 Lettuce | 115.5 (9 to 240) | 291.1 (9 to 1100) | 88.5 (21 to 240) | 165.03 ± 270.95 |
 Cucumber | 59.7 (> 3 to 150) | 67.3 (4 to 210) | 273.5 (11 to 1100) | 133.5 ± 272.79 |
 Carrot | 110.1 (9 to 210) | 82.5 (15 to 240) | 554.1 (4 to 1100) | 248.9 ± 397.72 |
 Green pepper | 17.3 (9 to 28) | 73.9 (11 to 210) | 50.6 (4 to 39) | 47.27 ± 62.86 |