Ocorrência de microrganismos indicadores do tempo útil de conservação em rações secas para cães adultos comercializadas a granel no distrito sanitário da Cidade Operária, São Luís – MA

Abstract

The pet food market has grown significantly, driven by the appreciation of pets as family members. This scenario has increased concern about the well-being and quality of food offered to animals. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the occurrence of microorganisms that indicate the useful shelf life of dry food for adult dogs sold in bulk in the health district of Cidade Operária, São Luís 3 MA.For this purpose, 32 samples of dry food from 16 commercial establishments were evaluated. In a laboratory environment, the enumeration of viable mesophilic and facultative aerobic bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts were performed, followed by the identification of filamentous fungi (macroscopic morphology, colonial characteristics and microscopic morphology). High counts of mesophilic bacteria were found in 87.5% (n = 28/32) of the samples, with bacterial populations ranging from 6.0 × 10² to 3.6 × 10⁶ (CFU/g). Regarding the enumeration of filamentous fungi and yeasts, this microbial group was found in 53.12% of the evaluated samples, with populations ranging from 1.5 x 102 to 2.9 x 105 CFU/gram. Six genera of filamentous fungi were identified: Aspergillus sp., Mucor sp., Paecilomyces sp., Penicillium sp., Absidia sp. and Rhizopus sp. The fungal genus that appeared as the greatest contaminant was Aspergillus sp., with the identification of the species A. flavus, A. caesiellus, A. unguis, A. defectus and A. niger. It is concluded that the microbiota present in the evaluated feed samples consisted of viable mesophilic and facultative aerobic bacteria, filamentous fungi and yeasts, in high microbial populations. Regarding filamentous fungi, six genera were isolated and identified, two of which have mycotoxigenic potential, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. For the commercialization of this type of food, more effective control and inspection must be carried out, which include the adequate storage and sale of feed