Microbiological quality of minimally processed vegetables commercialized in Brasilia, DF, Brazil

Abstract This study evaluated the microbiological quality of minimally processed vegetables commercialized in the city of Brasilia, DF, Brazil. A total of 32 samples of different vegetables were purchased from 10 supermarkets. In most samples (78.1%) the populations of psychrotrophic bacteria had a high count ranging from 106 to 108 CFU/g. Thermotolerant coliforms were found in all samples, with populations higher than 102 MPN/g in 15 samples (46.9%). After molecular analyses, E. coli was identified in 16 samples (50.0%) and Salmonella spp. in 4 samples (12.5%). S. aureus was found in 14 sampl...