Parasitic contamination in Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) in Laguna de Bay, Angono, Rizal, Philippines

Ipomoea aquatica commonly known as kangkong constitutes a vital component of the Filipino diet due to its affordability and ease of cultivation. This semi-aquatic vegetable can thrive in both soil and water environments, a characteristic that, while advantageous from a cultivation perspective, also renders it susceptible to parasitic contamination. This study investigates the prevalence of parasitic contamination in Ipomoea aquatica grown in the waters of Laguna de Bay, Angono, Rizal, Philippines, which involves identifying parasites up to the genus level and assessing the intensity of contamination through prevalence calculation. Spontaneous sedimentation techniques and staining techniques utilizing Lugol’s iodine and modified Ziehl-Neelsen were employed in the study. Results showed that 60.42% of the positive samples were contaminated with eggs of Fasciola sp., followed by Hymenolepis sp. (18.75%), Diphyllobothrium sp. (6.25%), Ascaris sp. (4.17%), and hookworm (0.21%). Although hookworm eggs were not prevalent, the larval stage was the most prevalent among the positive samples, with a prevalence of 6.25%. The results suggest that human activities and infrastructures as well as faunas living in the area where the vegetables were grown may have a significant impact on the presence and contamination levels of the identified parasites within the area. Furthermore, the study examined the morphology and life cycle of the identified parasites, highlighting their potential role in infectivity. This understanding can facilitate the management of potential diseases associated with these parasites. In addition, this study emphasizes the importance of implementing and following proper sanitation practices before distributing these vegetables to maintain consumer safety.