Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of different parasitic forms in samples of Lactuca sativa, Brassica oleracea, Coriandrum sativum, Petroselinum crispum, Allium schoenoprasum, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum pilosum, Cichorium ethyl and Mentha spicata from the Ver-o-Peso market. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study. Fifty samples of each vegetable were collected, being processed by spontaneous sedimentation and centrifugation methods, followed by analysis and identification of parasites. Results: All samples were contaminated by parasites. The Lactuca sativa vegetable showed the highest frequency among helminths (82.24%), eggs of Ancylostoma sp and Ascaris sp., stood out in both methods, however, in protozoan (60.05%), Balantidium sp (cysts) was predominant in the method of Hoffman and, in Ritchie's, it was the cysts of Entamoeba sp and Nematodos Larvae. Comparing the detection between methods, there was no significant difference, however, it emphasizes the importance of the two concomitant methodologies for the detection of parasites. Conclusion: The presence of parasites in vegetables means a risk in their transmission, in addition to creating an alert regarding the probable underreporting of intestinal parasites. Awareness of the correct hygiene of food is fundamental for reducing parasitics, and should be accompanied by the effective performance of health surveillance in free fairs.