Journal of

 Background and Aim: Along with the constant increase in world population and consequently, the growing need to provide cellulose, as the most abundant organic substance in nature to produce cellulose products, concerns regarding the possible contamination of these products might cause skin, and genital and urinary infections. The aim of this study is to determine the possible microbial contamination of these products supplied in the city of Tehran.

 Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study on 200 samples of unexpired cellulose products including napkins, nappies, sanitary napkin, and cardboard boxes to carry sweets. Fifty samples were obtained in the city of Tehran during six months from September 2011 to February 2012. Microbial contamination was investigated according to the procedure proposed by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.

 Results: The results obtained indicate that 18 samples (9%) exceeded the level allowed for aerobic bacteria and molds in one gram of specimens. Besides, 16 samples (8%) were contaminated with at least one of the following bacteria: Streptococcus Group D, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A total of 34 samples (17%) could not be consumed. The least and the most contaminated products were sanitary napkins (0.5%) and cardboard boxes to carry sweets (5%), respectively.

 Conclusion: The presence of pathogenic bacteria in cellulose products that could cause skin, and genital and urinary tract infections asks for more control over such sanitary products.

Background and Aim: Vegetables are one of the major components of food basket and consumption of them is on the rise. On the other hand, diseases and outbreaks caused by this group of foodstuffs have increasing trend. This study was performed to investigate the microbial contamination of vegetables used in south of Tehran.

Materials and Methods: Hundred fresh packaged and non packaged vegetable samples composed of 10 kinds, were examined based on the methods presented in Iran national standards. For each sample, enumeration of enterococcus and total microbial count was carried out by the pour plate technique in KF agar and plate count agar, respectively. Escherichia coli detection was also performed using lauryl sulfate broth, EC broth, peptone water and MacConkey agar mediums. Biochemical tests namely urea hydrolysis, motility, sulfide hydrogen (SH2) production, gas production and sugar fermentation were conducted as conformational tests of Escherichia coli.

Results: All (100%) of mixed leafy vegetables, spinaches, peppers, kuku (Persian food) vegetables, wheat sprouts and mung been sprouts had contamination higher than acceptable limits. In the case of green onions, basils, kuku vegetables, mushrooms and broccolis, respectively 40, 60, 30, 90 and 30 % of the samples were in contravention with acceptable limits, in terms of at least one parameter.

Conclusion: Our results show that consumption of vegetables specially those used as raw, need more attention at washing point and need to use hygienic rules of health department and health care centers, at shopping and consumption steps.