Detection of some intestinal protozoa in commercial fresh juices.
Mossallam S. F.
Author Affiliation: Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology 40 : 135-149
Abstract : Fresh fruit juices are popular, but not always safe. For assessing the likelihood of infection with newly emerging intestinal protozoa, commercial fresh orange, lemon, sugar cane, strawberry, and mango juices were screened by wet mounts, Weber's modified trichrome and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stains. Protozoa viability was done by fluorescein-diacetate/propidium-iodide staining, and infectivity was performed in Swiss albino mice. Results showed that 35.43% were contaminated with one or more of Cryptosporidium, Microspora, and Cyclospora, as well as Giardia spp. Strawberry was the most contaminated juice (54.28%), while orange was the least (22.86%). Cryptosporidium was the highest contaminant (61.29%), and Cyclospora was the least (14.52%). Microspora spp. were the most robust contaminants which retained their viability and infectivity in juices in which they were detected. Moderately acidic strawberry and mango juices and alkaline sugar cane juice pose a possible threat, due to harbouring the highest levels of viable and infectious protozoa. Regarding highly acidic juices, viability and infectivity decreased in lemon, yet this was not still risk free. Orange juice was comparatively safe, as viability dramatically declined, while infectivity was completely abolished. Hence consumers, especially high risk groups, are placed at risk of contracting intestinal protozoa infections, especially through moderately acidic and alkaline juices.