Chemical and microbiological hazards of Khat (Catha edulis) from field to chewing in Ethiopia

Wondafrash Ademe Beyene; Brimer Leon; Dalsgaard  Anders; Belachew Tefera

doi:10.30574/gscbps.2020.11.1.0038

Authors

Wondafrash Ademe Beyene Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Sciences Institute, Jimma University, Ethiopia.
Brimer Leon Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Dalsgaard Anders Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Belachew Tefera Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Sciences Institute, Jimma University, Ethiopia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2020.11.1.0038

Keywords:

Khat production and consumption Flowchart, DDT, Malathion, Microorganisms, CFU

Abstract

Catha edulis of the plant family Celastraceae commonly named as Khat in Ethiopia is a stimulant plant containing amphetamine-like substances. Fresh Khat leaves described to contain some 60 different constituents. Consumers chew leaves and masticate it for hours. Some users make a paste from dried leaf powder, mixing with sugar and water which is easily chewed and swallowed. In some areas, dried leaves are used as a tea, and also crushed and rolled into cigarettes. Less attention has been directed toward possible chemical and microbial contamination and risky pathways. The aims of this study are 1.Identify the actual Khat production-consumption process from farm to use. 2. Detect chemical and microbial contamination risk of consumable Khat leaf in process 3. Assess the microbiological qualities chewable Khat leaf. Descriptive statistics from the main dataset, for Khat consumption, showed that out of 1169, 564 household heads were Khat consumers and out of these consumers, 347 (62.52%) consume daily. Majority of the pilot study participants (retailers and consumers) confirmed that pesticide chemicals are sprayed on Khat bushes and trees, and Khat farmers disclosed the use of Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Malathion on their farm. The mean CFU/gm was 1.69*10^5 which indicate poor hygiene /handling. Our observation showed that the processes from farming, Transporting, collection, distribution (whole-sellers, retailers) to consumption indicate a potential risk for Khat leaf to become contaminated with Chemicals/ microorganisms.

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