Antimicrobial Resistant Profile And ESBL Production in Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Fresh Vegetables Sold in Markets in Benghazi City, Libya

Authors

  • Asrra A Ali University of Benghazi
  • Hana hamed University of Benghazi
  • Eman mousa University of Benghazi
  • Noha Aquila University of Benghazi
  • Randa Adel University of Benghazi
  • Ghada Saleh University of Benghazi
  • Estbrak Ahmed University of Benghazi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37376/ljphp.v3i1.7769

Keywords:

Food safety, Gram negative bacteria, ESBL, Enterobacteriaceae, vegetables, Antibiotic-resistant

Abstract

Fresh vegetables are widely consumed because of their high nutritional value, however, they may serve as vehicles for the transmission of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to isolate and identify members of the Enterobacteriaceae from fresh vegetables sold in markets in Benghazi, Libya, and to determine their antimicrobial resistance profiles as well as the presence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates. A total of 31 raw vegetable samples  were collected from six different markets in  April 2025. Samples were processed conventionally, with antimicrobial susceptibility determined via CLSI-compliant Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion on Mueller-Hinton agar. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production was performed using the synergy test with a β-lactam antibiotics. Microbial growth was detected in 26 out of 31 samples (83.9%). The most predominant are E.coli (22.58%), followed by  Shigella spp. (19.35%), Proteus spp.,  Klebsiella spp. (16.13%), Salmonella spp. (12.90%), Enterobacter spp. (6.45%), and Serratia spp. (6.45%) each. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high sensitivity to imipenem, amikacin, and meropenem (100%), followed by gentamicin (96.8%) and ciprofloxacin (93.5%). In contrast, high resistance was observed to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (87%), while moderate resistance was detected to ampicillin (38.7%) and cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (32.3%). ESBL production was confirmed in 6 isolates (19.3%).This study found that commonly consumed vegetables are contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The notable presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria on vegetables requires immediate, effective contamination control strategies from local health authorities.

Author Biographies

Asrra A Ali, University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Hana hamed, University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Eman mousa, University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Noha Aquila, University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Randa Adel , University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Ghada Saleh , University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

Estbrak Ahmed, University of Benghazi

Department of  Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of Benghazi, Libya

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Published

2026-06-14

How to Cite

A Ali, A. ., hamed, H. ., mousa, E. ., Aquila, N. ., Adel , R. ., Saleh , G. ., & Ahmed, E. . (2026). Antimicrobial Resistant Profile And ESBL Production in Enterobacteriaceae Isolated from Fresh Vegetables Sold in Markets in Benghazi City, Libya . Libyan Journal of Public Health Practices, 3(1), 12–18. https://doi.org/10.37376/ljphp.v3i1.7769

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Original article

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Copyright (c) 2026 Asrra A Ali, Hana hamed, Eman mousa, Noha Aquila, Randa Adel , Ghada Saleh , Estbrak Ahmed

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