Parasites Recovered from Dry and Vendor-washed Tiger Nuts Sold in Some Local Markets in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tiger nuts, Cyperus esculentus, are highly valued for their nutritional and medicinal value and perceived antioxidant properties; however, unhygienic handling during preparation and consumption is of public health importance. Aims: This study aimed to determine the parasitic contamination of tiger nuts sold in some communities of Anambra State. Methods: About 1.2 kg each of dry and vendor-washed tiger nuts were purchased from different vendors in five markets across five communities in the study area. The tiger nuts were divided into 100 g portions, soaked in containers containing 100 mL of normal saline for 3 hours, and the sediments were examined microscopically. The associations between parasite contamination, the state of the nuts and market sources were determined. Results: The parasites identified were larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis, hookworm ova, cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and trophozoites of Giardia lamblia, with an overall prevalence of 80.4%. Strongyloides larvae were the most prevalent parasite stage (60.5%). Dry nuts purchased from Amansea market had the highest parasite prevalence (95.9%), while vendor-washed nuts purchased from Nnewi market had the highest number of parasitic infections (39.1%). There was a statistically significant association between dry and vendor-washed tiger nuts sold in the different community markets and parasite prevalence (p < 0.05). More parasites were recorded in dry nuts (80.4%), and this difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study identified contamination of tiger nuts sold in some markets in the state with parasites of public health importance. With the increasing demand for tiger nuts and their products, public education, monitoring of local vendors and hygienic washing of the nuts may help prevent certain food-borne infectious diseases, especially those associated with Cyperus esculentus.