Assessment of Bacterial Contamination in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Sold in Al-Rass City, Saudi Arabia

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), a widely consumed leafy vegetable, is susceptible to bacterial contamination, posing potential health risks to consumers. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of lettuce sold in Al-Rass City, Saudi Arabia. A total of 10 samples were randomly collected from local markets and analyzed for bacterial contamination. Coliform bacteria were detected in only three samples using the Petrifilm™ method. The total bacterial count, determined through plate count analysis, ranged from 190 CFU/g to an uncountable level. Further identification using the MicroScan system confirmed the presence of Providencia rettgeri and Citrobacter gillenii in two samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that P. rettgeri exhibited resistance to 8 out of 27 tested antibiotics, whereas C. gillenii was sensitive to all 27 antibiotics. These findings highlight the potential microbial risks associated with fresh lettuce and emphasize the importance of proper washing before consumption to minimize health hazards.