New microbiological methods have been developed and commercialized, but their performance must be guaranteed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the PetrifilmTM and TEMPO® systems compared to the conventional method for counting microorganisms in pasteurized milk. A total of 141 samples of pasteurized milk were analyzed by counting mesophilic aerobic, Coliforms at 35 ºC, Coliforms at 45 ºC, and Escherichia coli microorganisms. High correlation was found between the methods for counting Coliforms at 35 ºC, but low correlation was found for counting mesophilic aerobic, Coliforms at 45 ºC, and Escherichia coli. No significant statistical difference was found among the three methods for counting Coliforms at 35 ºC; however, the mean counts of mesophilic aerobic, Coliforms at 45 ºC, and Escherichia coli showed significant statistical difference. PetrifilmTM and TEMPO® systems had satisfactory results for Coliforms at 35 ºC in pasteurized milk but low performance for mesophilic aerobic, Coliforms at 45 ºC and Escherichia coli.

Micro-organismos estão presentes em toda a cadeia de processamento da carne, desde a matéria-prima até o produto final e compete aos programas de qualidade industrial verificar se existe contaminação na matéria-prima e nos produtos finais para, dessa forma, garantir um produto seguro ao consumidor. Para tanto, faz-se necessário utilizar metodologias alternativas à convencional na rotina diagnóstica dos laboratórios para obtenção de resultados confiáveis e em menor tempo possível. Com objetivo de verificar e comparar a correlação e o tempo de processamento, da metodologia convencional com as metodologias alternativas do sistema PetrifilmTM (3M) e sistema TEMPO® (bioMeriéux), foi realizada contagem de micro-organismos mesófilos, de enterobactérias e de Escherichia coli. As amostras foram coletadas da superfície de carcaças suínas em um abatedouro com Inspeção Federal no Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. A contagem de micro-organismos mesófilos, de enterobactérias e Escherichia coli foi feita por meio de ensaios realizados com os métodos alternativos TEMPO®, Petrifilm™ e o método convencional de contagem de micro-organismos em placas. Após análise estatística, o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (r) demonstrou fortes correlações, acima de 0.70 entre as metodologias utilizadas para a contagem de enterobactérias e micro-organismos mesófilos, porém demonstrou moderada correlação, entre 0.30 a 0.70, para o diagnóstico de Escherichia coli. O uso dos métodos alternativos testados em substituição à metodologia convencional pode ser utilizado para diagnóstico de Escherichia coli, enterobactérias e micro-organismos mesófilos, por haver concordância entre os resultados encontrados, acrescido da rapidez dessas metodologias com benefício direto para a indústria de carne suína.

Micro-organisms are present throughout the meat processing chain, from raw materials until finished product. Industrial quality programs check for contamination in raw materials and final products to ensure the safety of consumer products; for this reason, the use of alternative methods instead of the conventional methods used in routine diagnostic laboratories is necessary to obtain reliable results in the shortest time possible. Samples of pig carcasses were collected in a slaughterhouse with Federal Inspection in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Mesophilic micro-organisms, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli were evaluated and tests performed by alternative methods, TEMPO®, Petrifilm™, and the conventional method of counting micro-organisms in Petri dishes. After statistical analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) showed a strong correlation up to 0.70 between the methodologies used for the enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae and mesophilic micro-organisms, show a moderate correlation between 0.30 to 0.70, for the diagnosis of Escherichia coli. The use of alternative methods to replace the conventional method can be recommended for diagnosis of Escherichiacoli, Enterobacteriaceae and mesophilic micro-organisms, because there was consistency between the results and the speed was increased by the alternative methodologies benefiting the pork industry.

As folhas de Dodonea viscosa foram administradas por via oral a cinco bovinos, dos quais quatro receberam folhas verdes frescas e o quinto, folhas secas. Quatro animais apresentaram sinais clínicos e morreram, enquanto o quinto bovino não adoeceu. A planta verde fresca mostrou-se tóxica a partir de 25g/kg. Todos os animais que morreram, manifestaram sinais clínicos entre 13h30min e 45h após a ingestão das folhas. A evolução clínica foi de aproximadamente 8h30min. Os animais manifestaram apatia, anorexia, leve tenesmo, tremores musculares, dificuldade para permanecer em estação pressionando a cabeça contra obstáculos, decúbito esternal, movimentos de pedalar, coma e morte. A alteração macroscópica mais significativa foi observada no fígado, com acentuação do padrão lobular, áreas vermelho-escuras intercaladas com áreas vermelho-claras, dando um aspecto de fígado noz-moscada. Hemorragias petequiais foram encontradas em serosas de órgãos da cavidade abdominal e torácica bem como no intestino. A principal alteração microscópica observada foi necrose hepatocelular coagulativa centrolobular ou massiva, associada à congestão e hemorragias.

The leaves of Dodonea viscosa were force fed to five bovines. Four received the leaves in fresh green stage and the fifth dried ones. Clinical signs were observed in four of the bovines that died; the fifth did not show signs of poisoning. The fresh green plant was proved to be toxic from a dose of 25g/kg on. Dried leaves fed at the dose of 30 g/kg were also toxic. All the animals that died showed clinical signs from 13h30min to 45h after the ingestion of the plant and and death followed within about 48h. The clinical course lasted for about 8h30min until death. The main symptoms where apathy, anorexia, slight tenesmus, muscle trembling, difficulties to keep consciousness, pressing the head against obstacles, lateral recumbency, paddling movements, coma and death. The most significant macroscopic alterations were observed in the liver, with accentuation of the lobular pattern, dark-red areas interspersed with yellowish areas. Petechiae were found in serosal membranes of the abdominal and thoracic organs as well as the intestines. The main microscopic change was hepatic centrolobular coagulative necrosis, associated with congestion and hemorrhages.