Assessment of Chemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Leek in Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq

Abstract

In the current study, leek samples were collected seasonally from October 2021 to July 2022 from three sites; site 1 (Tanjaro aera), site 2 (Kanaswra), and site 3 (Aziz Awa) in Sulaymaniyah city, Iraq. Cl^- rate recorded the maximum mean values in leek, which was 0.05 mg/kg. The Na⁺ level recorded the highest mean value, at 393.00 mg/kg. The K⁺ ratio showed the highest mean value, measuring 3614 mg/kg. SO₄^2- concentration had a mean value of 762.33 mg/kg. PO₄^3- level recorded the maximum mean value at 16.13. Regarding heavy metals in vegetables, the results indicated no contamination in leek, except for Pb, which had a high level in the vegetables. In terms of bacteriology, leek samples exhibited total aerobic bacteria and total coliform counts above the normal range. Based on the biochemical test findings, E. coli and Salmonella species were not detected in leek. Different species were isolated from leek, including Citobacter freundii, Citobacter braakii, Acinetobacter baumannii complex, Enterobacter cloacae complex.

There is a notable correlation between total aerobic bacteria and lead (r = 0.60) in leek. Copper shows a negative correlation with total aerobic bacteria (r = -0.59), while iron also exhibits a negative relationship with total aerobic bacteria (r = -0.60). Total coliform demonstrates a positive relationship with manganese (r = 0.64).