The activity of 23 samples of ethanolic brown propolis, from the State of Mato Grosso, was investigated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The values of physical and chemical parameters showed significant variation among samples. The percentage of dry extract ranged from 2.6 to 27.6%. The index of oxidation varied from 3 to 519 seconds. All samples showed the percentage of wax higher than the limit preconized by the legislation, with values varying from 3.4 to 74.6%. The quantification of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, responsible for antimicrobial activity, ranged from 0.1 to 5.0 (w/w) and 0.02 to 0.66 (w/w), respectively, being that the higher the index of phenolic compounds the larger the zones of inhibition. Antibacterial activity was observed in seven out of the 23 samples, demonstrating zones of inhibition ranging from 10 to 11.3mm. For these active samples, the minimum inhibitory concentration was determined, ranging from 125 to 1000mg/mL. The value of MIC in 42.9% of these samples was 250mg/mL. These results contribute to the establishment of physical and chemical parameters for the regulation of brown propolis and indicate possible therapeutic applicability in the development of formulations for the treatment of infections caused by E. coli.

Foram submetidas à pesquisa de coliformes fecais, utilizando-se a técnica do número mais provável (NMP/g), 168 amostras de variedades de queijo Minas (20 frescal, 48 canastra e 100 padronizado) coletadas em Belo Horizonte. Para a comparação de diferentes ensaios em temperatura elevada, utilizou-se o caldo EC isoladamente, e caldos EC e triptofano em paralelo. Visando à pesquisa de indol foi realizado ensaio para confirmação de produção de beta-D-glucuronidase e indol em caldo fluorocult lauril sulfato. Os resultados demonstraram não haver diferença estatística significativa entre as três metodologias utilizadas para a pesquisa de coliformes fecais, considerando os índices de aceitação definidos pelos padrões legais de inspeção de queijo Minas. A facilidade de execução do ensaio da beta-D-glucuronidase em caldo fluorocult lauril sulfato, associada à confiabilidade dos resultados e demanda de tempo (redução de 96 para até 48h), permitem sugeri-lo como método de escolha para enumeração de coliformes em queijo Minas.

There were submitted to fecal coliforms enumeration, according to the most probable number (MPN/g) method, 168 samples of "Minas" cheese varieties (20 white, 48 "canastra" and 199 standardized), collected in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In order to comparing different assays under high temperature, there was used EC broth isolated, and EC broth and tryptophane broth in parallel. With the aim of indol search, it was carried out an assay for beta-D-glucuronidase in indol production in fluorocult lauryl sulphate broth. The results did not show significant statistical difference among the three approaches used for fecal coliforms research, considering the acceptance indexes established by legal standards for "Minas" cheese inspection. The feasibility for beta-D-glucuronidase assay in fluorocult lauryl sulphate broth, coupled with results’ confidence and time required (reduction from 96 to up to 48h), suggest it as a preference method for fecal coliforms enumeration in "Minas" cheese.

Foram submetidas à contagem de coliformes fecais e pesquisa de Salmonella sp. 168 amostras de variedades de queijo Minas (20 frescal, 48 canastra e 100 padronizado) coletadas em Belo Horizonte no período de 1995 a 1996. Foram adquiridos queijos com e sem registro no Serviço de Inspeção Federal (SIF) para avaliar a diferença de qualidade microbiológica. Os resultados evidenciaram ausência de Salmonella sp. em todas as amostras de queijo. Entretanto, verificou-se que 90% das amostras de queijo Minas frescal, 81,2% de Minas canastra e 52% de Minas padronizado apresentavam elevada contagem de coliformes fecais, sendo essas superiores aos valores permitidos para inspeção. Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os queijos com e sem SIF com relação aos resultados das análises microbiológicas de queijo Minas frescal padronizado.

There were submitted to the fecal coliforms enumeration and Samonella sp. search 168 samples of "Minas" cheese varieties (20 white, 48 "canastra" and 100 standardized), collected in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, from 1995 to 1996. There were purchased cheeses with and without Federal Inspection Service (FIS) register, in order to evaluate microbiological quality difference. However, it was verified that 90.0% of the "Minas" white cheese, 81.2% of the "canastra Minas" and 52.0% of the standardized "Minas" presented high fecal coliforms counts, which were superior to the inspection allowed values. There was no significant statistical difference among FIS registered and not registered cheeses concerning "Minas" white and standardized cheeses microbiological analysis.