PERFIL PARASITOLÓGICO DO CHEIRO VERDE COMERCIALIZADO EM FEIRAS LIVRES DE IMPERATRIZ-MA

This paper aimed to investigate the existence of parasites in parsley, composed of chives ( Allium sp.) and coriander ( Coriandrum sativum ), sold in street markets in Imperatriz-Ma. For this purpose, we used the HPJ method or Lutz method which consists in spontaneous sedimentation of dispersed particles in liquid and visualization of the pellet under an optical microscope. The results showed contamination of almost all the samples. Though there is presence of Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Iodamoeba bustchilli, Endolimax nana, Acanthamoeba sp. , Blastocystis hominis, Balantidium coli, Hymenolepis sp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichostrongylus sp., Toxocara, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides sp., hookworms and coccidia as well as parasitic organisms which do not, however, indicate contamination by organic matter. Thus it was concluded that the parsley sold in free markets in Imperatriz are in poor hygienic and sanitary conditions, making it unsuitable for fresh consumption. Keywords: Coriander; chives; parasites; contamination.