Qualidade higiênico-sanitária de alface cultivada em diferentes sistemas de produção e comercializada em São Luís – MA

Abstract

Lettuce stands out as a vegetable of great importance in food and human health. Serious care is usually required because vegetables and fruits can be contaminated with pathogens at any stage of the production chain, from field cultivation to consumption. The objective of this work was to analyze the microbiological quality of the lettuce produced in conventional, hydroponic and organic production systems commercialized in the city of São Luís-MA. The collections were held in fairs, markets and supermarkets. Three samples were analyzed for each production system in the months of october/2018 to may/2019, totaling 72 samples. The presence of total and thermotolerant coliforms, of aerobic mesophiles and of molds and yeasts were evaluated. In the analysis of total and thermotolerant coliforms the multiple tube technique was used, which allows the quantification by most probable number (MPN) of microorganisms. The results obtained were compared with that established by Resolution RDC nº. 12 of January 2, 2001, of the Ministry of Health. For the determination of aerobic mesophiles and molds and yeasts the standard counting method was used in plates with the result expressed in colony forming units per gram (CFU/g). For total coliforms, all samples had the count >1.1x103 NMP/g. For thermotolerant coliforms, 22 samples were considered unfit for human consumption because they exceeded the tolerance limit of NMP of 102 NMP/g. The general variation of aerobic mesophiles and molds and yeasts was, respectively, 7.2x103 to 3.2x106 UFC/g and from 1.0x101 to 5.7x105 UFC/g. Evidencing the need to adopt good hygiene practices to achieve a satisfactory hygienic-sanitary quality