Comparative Study of Contamination With StaphyLococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli and Coliforms in Strawberries in Kurdistan

Kurdistan is an important province in the production of strawberries in the country. In traditional cultivation due to hand contact and animal fertilizers, soil contamination with pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and other coliforms which can be easily transferred into fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination rate of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and other coliforms in strawberries in Kurdistan.
In a cross-sectional study, 150 samples of strawberries including 90 field crops (Traditional), 30 greenhouses and 30 from ready-made packaging supplied in shops in Sanandaj city were investigated. All the samples were tested according to Iranian standard instruction (No. 1194) for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, (No. 5272) total count, (No.9236) coliform counting , and (No.2946) for E.coli counting.
In this study sixteen samples (10.66 %) were contaminated with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, 30 (20%) with Coliforms, and 21(14%) with E.coli respectively. The ready-made packaging samples were more contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, while farm samples with E.coli.
The results showed that due to use of animal and human fertilizers along with surface water for irrigation the strawberries would be contaminated regardless of type of cultivation. Therefore, proper washing and use of disinfection before consumption are strongly recommended.