The Port Complex of Maranhão (PCM) is the second largest port complex in Brazil, receiving ships with large volumes of ballast water. To evaluate the microbiological quality of its waters, physicochemical parameters (pH and salinity), the number of coliforms (thermotolerants and totals), and the presence of enterobacterias and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains were analyzed. In order to identify the presence of E. coli virulence genes target regions of the stx, elt, est, aggR, CVD432, ipaH and eae nucleotide sequences were studied. The presence of totals and thermotolerants coliforms were positive. Analyzing the salinity parameter, a significant increase in total coliforms was observed during the rainy season. We identified the species Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Citrobacter freundii, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella ozaenae, Morganella morganii, Enterobacter cloacae and Edwardsiella tarda. Out of the 51 E. coli isolated, two were positive for the elt gene and one was positive for the CVD432 sequence, features of enterotoxigenic and enteroaggregative strains, respectively. This study reveals that the PCM is contaminated by enterobacteria and diarrheagenic E.coli thus providing evidence regarding the risk of these bacteria being carried by ships to other countries, and draws attention to the input of fecal bacteria brought by ships in the port waters of Maranhão.

Considerando-se a crescente participação dos vegetais na transmissão de microrganismos, incluindo as Escherichia coli enteropatogênicas multirresistentes às drogas convencionais, a busca por novos compostos com propriedades antimicrobianas a partir de fontes naturais, tais como os óleos essenciais, tem se intensificado nos últimos anos. Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial do manjericão (Ocimum basilicum Linn.) frente a sorogrupos de Escherichia coli enteropatogênicas (EPEC) isolados de alfaces (Lactuca sativa), utilizando-se o Método de Difusão em Disco (MDD). Os resultados evidenciaram que todas as cepas de E. coli EPEC testadas apresentaram sensibilidade à ação do óleo essencial, sugerindo que este possa ser uma fonte de compostos com potencial terapêutico no combate a bactérias patogênicas.

Considering the increase of the involvement of vegetables in the transmission of microorganism including the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli multiresistance to conventional drugs, the search for new antimicrobial compounds from natural sources, such as the essential oils, has been intensified in the last years. This research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil from basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn.) front to sorogroups of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolated in lettuces (Lactuca sativa) using the Diffusion in Disk Method. The results showed that, all the tested strains of E. coli EPEC presented sensitivity to the essential oil's action, suggesting that it can be a source of compounds with therapeutic potential in the fighting to bacteria pathogenic.

Com o presente trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária de lingüiças tipo frescal, em função do potencial risco que estes produtos representam para a saúde pública. Para a condução de tal pesquisa, amostras foram aleatoriamente coletadas no município de Três Corações (n=20) e Lavras (n=20), ambos situados no Estado de Minas Gerais. As análises microbiológicas, conduzidas de acordo com o ICMSF (1982), constaram da enumeração de coliformes totais e termotolerantes (colimetria), quantificação e identificação bioquímica de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e Salmonella spp. Não foi detectada a presença de Salmonella spp. em nenhuma das amostras. Os valores para contaminação por coliformes termotolerantes encontraram-se dentro do intervalo de 10¹ a 10(4) NMP/g. Em 14% das 40 amostras analisadas foi detectado Staphylococcus coagulase positiva acima do limite estabelecido pela legislação vigente. Pelos valores encontrados, as lingüiças analisadas não são produzidas dentro de padrões de higiene satisfatórios, sendo um potencial causador de toxinoses e infecções alimentares aos consumidores.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the microbial quality of sausage in function of the potential involvement of these products in public health questions. Samples were randomly collected in Três Corações (n=20) and Lavras (n=20), both cities of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Microbiological analysis (ICMSF, 1982) were conduced to quantify, isolate and identify coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus positive coagulase and Salmonella spp. Salmonella spp was not found in none of samples. Counts of coliforms were between 10¹ to 10(4) MPN/g. Counts Staphylococcus positive coagulase were above the limit established by food legislation in 14% of the samples. In function of values found in this research sausages analyzed were elaborated under inappropriated conditions of hygiene and may represent risks to consumers.