Microbiological Quality Assessment of Spinach (Amaranthus hybridus) and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Harvested from the Kwakwachi Area of Kano State

This study aimed at assessing the microbiological quality of irrigation water, Spinach and lettuce from Kwakwachi area of Kano State. The results of the microbiological counts of irrigation water, spinach and lettuce from Kwakwachi recorded a least Clostridium sp.counts of 8.93±1.26a, 14.79±1.31b, 18.50±2.47brespectively. Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., and Aspergillus sp.were found to occur at 16% prevalence rate in all the samples. The COD, BOD and THS (total hardness) were found to be 55.02±4.40, 29.40±13.04b and 25.28±10.69mg/l respectively. The chromium concentration of 0.45±0.04a was higher than cadmium, lead and iron in the study area. The study stresses the need for adequate treatment of effluents before discharge and proper handling and washing of vegetables before consumption.