Prevalence of foodborne parasites in common street food in Manila

• Main Authors: Escutin, Mary Corinne Dolar, Mendoza, Matthew Williamson Yao, Persia, Czarinah Isabelle Ilagan, Villanueva, Angel Nicole Benavides, Tan, Krystlelyn Mae Lao
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Foodborne diseases; Street food > Philippines > Manila; Parasites > Contamination; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_bio/63; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdb_bio/article/1061/viewcontent/2024_Escutin_Etal_Prevalence_of_foodborne_parasites_in_common_street_food_in_Manila_Full_text.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Street food in the Philippines is widely consumed for its affordability and accessibility to local communities. However, most street foods are exposed to contamination and unsanitary practices, which pose potential risks of developing parasites; hence, may become a source of parasitic transmission to humans when consumed. The researchers aimed to determine the prevalence of foodborne parasites in common partially cooked street food in the City of Manila, and to identify which type of street food mostly contains foodborne parasites. Moreover, the study intended to calculate the prevalence of foodborne parasites in partially cooked street food in Manila: barbeque, coagulated chicken blood (betamax), chicken intestine (chicken isaw), and pork intestine (pork isaw). The samples were collected from 15 street food stalls in Manila. The researchers used a sedimentation technique and applied Lugol’s Iodine and Ziehl-Neelsen stains to the samples. The results of the study showed that 6 out of 154 (3.90%) tested positive for the presence of parasites. Ascaris spp. was found in 5 out of 6 positive samples, while Entamoeba spp. in 1 out of 6. Pork intestine (pork isaw) and coagulated chicken blood (betamax) had the most positive samples. These results emphasize the need for proper hygiene practices and proper food handling, sanitation, and storage processes to ensure the safety of its consumers. Keywords: foodborne parasite, partially cooked, street food, food safety, Manila, Ascaris spp., Entamoeba spp.