Abstract The determination of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in bee honey is performed by the spectrophotometric methods Winkler's and White's. The Winkler method reads the absorbances in the visible region of the spectrum, and the White method measures in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible regions of the spectrum. This study aims to compare the spectrophotometric methodologies of White and Winkler to the determination of HMF in bee honey. For the study, it was used a UV-visible spectrophotometer, 10 mm optical path quartz cuvettes, and ten bee honey samples of different flowering. Absorbances at 550 nm were analyzed by the Winkler method; absorbances at 284 nm and 336 nm in the White method; and a comparison of HMF concentration (mg/kg) was carried out between the methods. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in HMF concentration determined by both methods. The main conclusion is that the Winkler method presents higher HMF values than the White method.

Abstract Probiotics can be defined as viable or inviable microbial cell (vegetative/spore or intact/ruptured) that is potentially healthful to the host. Commonly linked to fermented milk, one of the most popular fermented beverage, due to the greater consumer acceptance of dairy products. However, technical aspects such as inappropriate storage conditions and transport facilities can influence the viability of the microorganisms in these products. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical quality of probiotic fermented milk sold in the city of Botucatu/SP during its shelf life, and to determine the effect of different storage temperatures (4 °C and 12 °C), comparing results with the standard limits. For this purpose, four brands of probiotic fermented milk (A, B, C, and D) were analyzed counting lactic acid bacteria and evaluating physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, proteins, lipids, moisture, and ash). As a result, only brand D did not fit the parameters determined by the technical norms of the Brazilian legislation; the variation in storage temperature, did not show significant influence on the results of the tested parameters.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade higiênica sanitária e a presença de microrganismos patogênicos em carnes in natura e linguiças frescais comercializadas na cidade de Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. Foram analisadas 238 amostras de linguiças, carne bovina, suína e de frango de 18 estabelecimentos comerciais (açougues, supermercados e mercearias). As amostras foram submetidas à enumeração de microrganismos indicadores de higiene (aeróbios mesófilos e enterobactérias) e detecção de Salmonella spp. e Listeria monocytogenes. As contagens médias de aeróbios mesófilos e enterobactérias foram 5,09 e 3,54 log UFC/g, respectivamente. Salmonella spp. esteve presente mais frequentemente em amostras de carne bovina (4,91 %), enquanto L. monocytogenes foi mais frequente em linguiças frescais (19,04 %). Das amostras analisadas, 43,70 % não atenderam aos parâmetros microbiológicos estabelecidos pelo Ministério da Saúde. A presença de Salmonella spp. e L. monocytogenes em diferentes amostras e estabelecimentos comerciais demonstra falhas de boas práticas de fabricação na indústria e pontos de venda, além da necessidade de treinar manipuladores de alimentos para reduzir a exposição dos consumidores à riscos.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the sanitary hygienic quality and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in raw meats and fresh sausages marketed in the city of Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. We analyzed 238 samples of fresh sausages, beef, pork, and chicken from 18 commercial establishments (butchers, supermarkets, and groceries). Samples were subjected to enumerate hygiene indicator microorganisms (mesophilic aerobes and enterobacteria) and detection of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The mean counts of mesophilic aerobes and enterobacteria were 5.09 and 3.54 log CFU/g, respectively. Beef samples presented the highest frequency of Salmonella spp. (7.93%) and fresh sausages present the highest frequency of L. monocytogenes (19.04%). Among the analyzed samples, 43.70% did not comply with the microbiological parameters established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The presence of Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes in different samples and commercial establishments demonstrate the failures of good manufacturing practices in industrial environmental and retails points and the need to train food handlers to reduce the exposure of consumers to potential risks.

ABSTRACT Many infants are nurtured with milk supplied by human banks, whose bacteriological and physical-chemical profiles are a major issue. We investigated the bacteriological and physical-chemical characteristics, as well as genotypic and phenotypic and profiles of Staphylococcus species isolated from 240 samples of breast milk from a bank in a teaching hospital. Dornic acidity of milk revealed that 95.4% (229/240) had acceptable limits (< 8.0 oD). Caloric intake showed a wide variation in cream content (4%), fat (4%) and energy values (559.81 Kcal/L). Staphylococcus (105/186 or 56.5%) and Enterobacter (25/186 or 13.4%) were the most prevalent genera, although other microorganisms were identified, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (125/157 or 79.6%), vancomycin (115/157 or 73.2%), and cephalexin (112/157 or 71.3%) were the most effective antimicrobials. High resistance rates of isolates were found to penicillin G (141/157 or 89.8%), ampicillin (135/157 or 86%), and oxacillin (118/157 or 75.2%). Multidrug resistance to ≥ 3 antimicrobials occurred in 66.2% (123/186) of the isolates. Residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances were found in 85% (204/240) of samples. Among the coagulase-positive-CPS and negative-CoNS staphylococci, the mecA gene was detected in 53.3% (8/15) and 75% (30/40), respectively. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 20% (3/15) of CPS, while tsst-1 was detected in 13.34% (2/15). In addition, 13.3% (2/15) of S. aureus were toxin-producers. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 90% (36/40), 5% (2/40) and 15% (6/40) CoNS, respectively. Enterotoxin production was identified in 5% (2/40) of CoNS. The identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria, staphylococci species toxin-producers harboring methicillin-resistance genes, and residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances reinforce the need for a continuous vigilance of milk quality offered to infant consumption by human banks.

A linguiça frescal é um embutido curado que, devido à manipulação durante as etapas de produção, pode se tornar contaminado com S. aureus, patógeno frequentemente relacionado com práticas inadequadas de higiene durante a produção de alimentos. A utilização de nitrito em embutidos tem sua eficácia comprovada contra C. botulinum e, para o S. aureus, estudos indicam que a ação bactericida depende de fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da concentração de nitrito e do pH frente à contaminação por S. aureus e microbiota autóctone em linguiças frescais estocadas em diferente tempos e temperaturas. Linguiças foram produzidas com concentrações de 50, 150 e 200ppm de nitrito e contaminadas com S. aureus. As linguiças foram armazenadas sob refrigeração (7 e 12°C) e a quantificação de S. aureus e psicrotróficos foi realizada nos dias 0, 2, 4, 7 e 10. Os resultados demonstraram que a influência das concentrações de nitrito e temperaturas utilizadas sobre a multiplicação de S. aureus e da microbiota autóctone foi mínima, sendo dependente apenas do período de estocagem. Entretanto, ao final de dez dias, as contagens foram estatisticamente iguais nos grupos analisados, mostrando que as condições de temperatura e concentrações de nitrito utilizadas não exerceram controle efetivo no desenvolvimento destes micro-organismos. Sugere-se que este produto seja armazenado sob temperaturas inferiores a 7°C ou sob congelamento para maior estabilidade microbiológica

Fresh sausages are cured meat products that may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus during the manufacturing procedure, which is frequently related with inadequate handling practices. The use of nitrite in meat products has proven efficacy against Clostridium botulinum, and studies indicate that bactericidal action against S. aureus depends on factors that are intrinsic and extrinsic to the product. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nitrite concentration, and pH on S. aureus and psychrotrophic autochthone microbiota in fresh sausages stored at different times and temperatures. Fresh sausage were produced at nitrite concentrations 50, 150 and 200ppm and contaminated with S. aureus. The sausages were storage at refrigeration (7 and 12°C) and the quantification of S. aureus and psychrotrophic microorganisms was carried out on days 0, 2, 4, 7, and 10. Results showed that nitrite concentrations and the temperatures used had minimal effect on the multiplication of S. aureus and psychrotrophic autochthone microbiota. Final counts depended only on the length of storage: at the end of 10 days, counts were statistically similar in the different groups, showing that temperature and nitrite concentrations used did not control microbial growth effectively. It is suggested that the product should be stored below 7°C or at freezing temperatures for greater microbiological stability

A difusão do uso da tecnologia do resfriamento, como estratégia para manutenção das características microbiológicas e organolépticas do leite, não associada aos cuidados básicos de higiene na obtenção do produto, fez com que os micro-organismos psicrotróficos emergissem como as principais bactérias deteriorantes da indústria láctea. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar como o metabolismo psicrotrófico proteolítico responde a diferentes temperaturas de incubação do leite, delineando um paralelo entre multiplicação de psicrotróficos, quantidade de micro-organismos com capacidade de hidrolisar proteínas e quantidade de GMP (glicomacropeptídeo) liberada. As amostras de leite, coletadas diretamente do tanque de resfriamento, foram submetidas à contagem de micro-organismos psicrotróficos, contagem de micro-organismos proteolíticos e determinação da concentração de GMP, em diferentes tempos (12 h; 24 h; 48 h) e temperaturas (4°C; 8°C; 12°C) de armazenamento. Não houve linearidade entre os parâmetros microbiológicos e o GMP aferido, segundo o binômio tempo/temperatura. A maior concentração de GMP (5,07 µg/mL) foi aferida no binômio 8°C/24 h (T8/M24). Esses dados indicam a necessidade de estudos sobre o metabolismo da microbiota psicrotrófica, de forma a elucidar questões básicas e de profunda relevância sobre seu metabolismo.

The widespread use of cooling technology as a tool for maintaining the microbiological and organoleptic characteristics of milk, Without effective hygienic practices throughout the milk production, caused the psychrotrophic micro-organisms to become major deteriorative bacteria in the dairy industry. The present study aimed to assess how the proteolytic psychrotrophic metabolism responds to different milk storage temperatures, drawing a parallel among psychrotrophic growth, amount of micro-organisms capable of breaking down proteins and amount of GMP (glycomacropeptide) released. Milk samples were collected directly from the cooling tank and subjected to count of psychrotrophs, count of proteolytic micro-organisms and the concentration of GMP at different storage times and temperatures. There was no linearity between the microbiological parameters and the GMP measured, according to the time/temperature binomial. The highest concentration of GMP (5.07 mg/mL) was measured in the binomial 8°C/24h (T8/M24). The data make clear the need for further studies about questions involving the psychrotrophic microbiota in order to clarify extremely important basic questions about their metabolism.