Avaliação microbiológica de alfaces (Lactuca sativa) em restaurantes self-service no Município de Limeira - SP / Microbiological analysis of lettuces (Lactuca sativa) at self-service restaurants in the city of Limeira – SP

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

Lettuce samples, ready for consumption and without addition of seasoning, were obtained from seven self-service restaurants which serve food per kilogram. The total of 35 samples was collected on alternate days and directly from food counters at those restaurants in the city of Limeira/SP. Samples were analyzed with the objective to find out the microbiological conditions of the raw leafy vegetables served in self-service restaurants. To carry out the analysis, microbiological standards were set considering the research on the following bacteria: total coliforms, coliforms at 45°C, Salmonella ssp, total counting of aerobic mesophiles and Staphylococcus coagulase positive. The results were very heterogeneous due to the great variation on counting for total coliforms, coliforms at 45°C, as well as the high level of the numbers of aerobic mesophiles. The data obtained showed that 31 (88.6%) samples presented high level of total coliforms, varying between 102 NMPg-1 and 105 NMPg-1 and only 4 (11.4%) samples presented reduced level, between <2 and 8.0 x 101 NMPg-1. Considering the coliform bacteria at 45°C, 14 (40%) samples presented fecal contamination and this is at variance with the current legislation of the National Agency of Sanitary Vigilance – ANVISA (BRAZIL, 2001), which establishes limits up to 102 NMPg-1. No samples showed to be positive for Salmonella spp, following the ANVISA (BRAZIL, 2001) standards which establish absence in 25g of product. Staphylococcus coagulase positive was detected in 21 (60%) samples considering counting superior to 103 UFCg-1, which is the maximum limit tolerated by ANVISA (BRAZIL, 2001) for other foods, as for leafy vegetable in natura there are no standards. From this total of 21 samples, 2 (9.5%) showed 104 UFCg-1. The seven self-service restaurants showed high level for total counting of aerobic mesophiles, between 105 and 107 UFCg-1: 6 samples (17.1%) showed counting between 105 and 106 UFCg-1 and 29 (82.8%) presented results above 106 UFCg-1. From these 29 samples, 11 (37.9%) were above 107 UFCg-1. Leafy vegetables samples from the same batch underwent to hygienic procedures using a chlorine solution and a vinegar solution for posterior analysis. The results showed reduction of the bacteria counting between 98% and 99%. The data obtained show that there is inappropriate food handling with absence of or deficiency of sanitation, indicating a training need for the staff and shop owners, so that problems can be corrected to obtain products with appropriate microbiological quality and to assure consumer’s health.

ASSUNTO(S)

higiene de alimentos alface microbiology of foods segurança alimentar food safety microbiologia de alimentos restaurantes hygiene of foods restaurants contamination of foods contaminação de alimentos lettuce

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