RESUMO: Revestimento comestível de alginato de sódio incorporado com própolis marrom (2,5%, 5%, 10% e 15%) foi aplicado em grãos de pimenta-do-reino para melhorar a qualidade microbiológica ao longo de 30 dias. Análise de cromatografia gasosa associada à espectrometria de massa identificou 29 metabólitos no extrato, principalmente compostos terpênicos (51,74%), compostos fenólicos (25,83%) e flavonóides (14,48%). A própolis marrom apresentou maior atividade antibacteriana para bactérias Gram-positivas (CIM de 0,1 a 0,5 mg.mL-1) e menor atividade para Escherichia coli (CIM 18 mg.mL-1). Um aumento em 5% no revestimento da própolis reduziu a contagem de Bacillus cereus em sete vezes, 9,4% para Staphylococcus aureus e 5,4% para bactérias mesófilas. O revestimento comestível de alginato de sódio e própolis marrom foi eficaz na redução microbiana da pimenta-do-reino, em que a concentração de 15% de própolis garantiu a qualidade microbiológica da especiaria até 20 dias.

ABSTRACT: An edible coating of sodium alginate incorporated with brown propolis (2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) was applied to black pepper grains to improve microbiological quality over 30 days. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry identified 29 metabolites in the extract, mainly terpene compounds (51.74%), phenolic compounds (25.83%), and flavonoids (14.48%). Brown propolis showed greater antibacterial activity for Gram-positive bacteria (MIC from 0.1 to 0.5 mg.mL-1) and lower activity for Escherichiacoli (MIC 18 mg.mL-1). A 5% increase in propolis in the coating reduced Bacilluscereus counts by 7-fold, 9.4% for Staphylococcusaureus, and 5.4% for mesophilic bacteria. The edible sodium alginate coating containing brown propolis was effective in reducing microbes on black pepper, with a concentration of 15% propolis assuring the microbiological quality of the spice after 20 days.

Abstract Probiotic starter culture does not only improve the safety and shelf-life of products but also extends health benefits to the consumer. This study investigated the probiotic potential of a commercial starter culture used in the fermentation of meat sausages. The starter culture tested, composed of Lactobacillus sakei, Staphylococcus xylosus, and Staphylococcus carnosus, was evaluated for resistance to antimicrobials, low pH values and bile salts; production of gas and capsules; acidification capacity; and growth after exposure to different pH values, temperatures, and curing salts. The antagonistic capacity was also assessed against Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC13076, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC43300, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212, and Listeria monocytogenes CERELA. The starter culture was susceptible to all tested antimicrobials and strongly inhibited pathogenic strains, with inhibition halos diameters > 30 mm. The culture was resistant to all concentrations of bile salts tested, did not produce gas or capsules, and could grow within a temperature range of 15 °C to 35 °C in saline medium containing healing salts (nitrite/nitrate). Although, the inability of the culture to withstand low pH, indicating intolerance to stomach acidity, limits its use as a live probiotic, beneficial health effects may be derived from the inactivated culture.

RESUMO: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica e a veiculação de bactérias multirresistentes em diferentes especiarias comercializadas em feiras livres nos municípios do Recôncavo Baiano. Foram analisadas amostras de pimenta-do-reino, orégano e canela durante seis meses e pesquisados coliformes a 45 °C, Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli e Salmonella spp. A contaminação nas amostras de pimenta-do-reino (log 4,66 UFC g-1) foi maior (P>0,05), quando comparado com as amostras de canela (log 2,55 UFC g-1) e orégano (log 2,49 UFC g-1), principalmente para B. cereus. E. coli (89%) e Salmonella spp. (67%) foram isoladas apenas na pimenta-do-reino. B. cereus e S. aureus apresentaram maior resistência aos β-lactâmicos (penicilina, oxacilina e cefepime), com cerca de 40% das cepas com índice MAR de 0,33 (resistência a 3 antimicrobianos). E. coli foi mais resistente a ampicilina e Salmonella spp. ao ácido nalidíxico, ampicilina e ceftriaxona. Salmonella spp. apresentou índice MAR variando de 0,16 a 0,91 (até 11 antimicrobianos), e E. coli até 0,58 (7 antimicrobianos). Com isso, as especiarias comercializadas nas feiras livres do Recôncavo Baiano apresentam baixa qualidade microbiológica, com presença de patógenos e elevada resistência a antimicrobianos comumente usados no tratamento de enfermidades transmitidas por alimentos.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality and the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria in different spices sold in town fairs (local food markets) in the municipalities of Recôncavo Baiano. Samples of black pepper, oregano, and cinnamon were collected over a period of six months and investigated for coliforms at 45 °C, Staphylococcus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus spp., Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The contamination in the black pepper samples (log 4.66 CFU g-1) was higher (P>0.05), than those of cinnamon (log 2.55 CFU g-1) and oregano (log 2.49 CFU g-1), particularly for B. cereus. E. coli (89%) and Salmonella spp. (67%) were isolated only from black pepper. B. cereus and S. aureus showed greater resistance to β-lactams (penicillin, oxacillin, and cefepime), with approximately 40% of the strains with a multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index of 0.33 (i.e., resistant to three antimicrobials). E. coli was more resistant to ampicillin and Salmonella spp. to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, and ceftriaxone. Salmonella spp. had a MAR index ranging from 0.16 to 0.91 (i.e, resistant to up to 11 antimicrobials), and E. coli to up to 0.58 (i.e., resistant to 7 antimicrobials). In conclusion, the spices sold in the town fairs of Recôncavo Baiano are of low microbiological quality, with the presence of pathogens, of which some display high resistance to antimicrobials that are commonly used for treating foodborne illnesses.