Hygienic Quality of Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus L.) Produced in Urban Market Gardens of N'Djamena, Chad

Abstract

In N'Djamena, amaranth, a leafy vegetable, plays a vital role in providing a healthy, balanced, and sustainable diet for city dwellers. It also generates income for producers located within the city. However, due to certain constraints, its production is subject to increasing pressures on land and public health. The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of microbial contamination of amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus L.) from urban market gardens in N'Djamena.  The study was conducted between April and June 2025. The samples consisted of 30 amaranth specimens. The microbiological quality of the samples was assessed by counting the Colony Generating Units (CGUs) of total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp Microbiological analyses revealed contamination rates of 70% for coliforms, 63.33% for E. coli, 13.33% for Staphylococcus aureus, and 23.33% for Salmonella spp. These results reflect the sanitary conditions of the environment in which amaranth is produced, as well as the hygiene practices of producers and certain agricultural practices. Despite its nutritional importance, amaranth poses significant health risks that must be prevented and controlled to ensure its safety and prevent foodborne illnesses. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the production environment and train producers on basic hygiene rules and good agricultural practices.