Avaliou-se a qualidade microbiológica de 15 amostras de
hortaliças/tubérculos e de 15 amostras de frutas
minimamente processadas, comercializadas em Fortaleza
(CE). Foram realizadas análises de coliformes fecais e
totais, pesquisa de Salmonella sp., contagem total de
bolores e leveduras, contagem de Staphylococcus
coagulase positiva e contagem total de psicrotróficos.
Detectou-se a presença de Salmonella em 66,6% das
amostras de hortaliças/tubérculos e em 26% das de frutas.
Foi verificado que 13,3% das amostras de hortaliças/
tubérculos apresentaram contagem de coliformes fecais
acima do limite estabelecido pela legislação brasileira.
Contagens elevadas de coliformes totais, de bolores e
leveduras e de psicrotróficos também foram encontradas
em ambos os produtos, indicando condições inadequadas
de higiene durante o processamento, comprometendo seu
armazenamento e sua qualidade microbiológica.
MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS MINIMALLY PROCESSED MARKETED IN FORTALEZA (CE)
Abstract
The microbiological quality of 15 vegetables and 15 fruits minimally processed samples
marketed in Fortaleza - CE (Brazil) was evaluated. The following analyses were
carried out: total and fecal coliforms, Salmonella sp., total yeasts and moulds count,
coagulase positive Staphylococcus count and total psychrotrophics count. Salmonella
was detected in 66.6% of vegetable samples and 26% of fruit samples. Fecal coliforms
count higher than legislation limit, it was verified in 13.3% of vegetable samples. High
counts of total coliforms, yeasts and moulds and psychrotrophics were also found on
both products, showing inadequate hygiene conditions during manufacturing, affecting
storage and microbiological quality of minimally processed fruits and vegetables
