Pegah Ghiasvandnia - Department of Chemical Engineering, Technical Faculty, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran
Milad Sheydaei - Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology, P.O. Box ۵۱۳۳۵-۱۹۹۶, Tabriz, Iran
Milad Edraki - Polymer Department, Technical Faculty, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

In this study, microbial contamination included the total microbial count and coliform, as well as the content of toxic metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in parsley (petroselinum crispum) prepared from local farms in Kuh Boneh Region (Lahijan City, north of Iran) was investigated. The content of toxic metals was evaluated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and the results showed that content of these metals is lower than the standard level. However, the results of microbial investigation revealed that the samples are contaminated. In fact, the number of colonies was very high and according to the standards, these samples are harmful to health.

Microbial Contamination, Toxic Metals, Parsley