Microbiological, parasitic, microscopic, physical and chemical characterization of processed acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) fruits

Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) fruit consumption has been increasing in recent years. The increasing demand for this fruit increased concerns about its quality. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the microbiological, parasitical, microscopic, physical and chemical characteristics of processed acai. Processed acai of 12 commercial establishments were subjected to microbiological analyses (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, molds, yeasts and total and thermotolerant coliform quantifications, Staphylococcus catalase positive test and search for Salmonella ssp.), search for parasites, microscopic analysis (search for light and heavy dirt) and physical and chemical characterization (titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids °Brix, moisture content, ash, color). The samples had high amounts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria; 75% had total coliforms, molds and yeasts; 58.3% had Staphylococcus (catalase positive); and 8.33% had Salmonella spp. Moreover, the samples were not within the recommended microscopic standards, presenting foreign matter (sand and plastic). However, parasites were not found in the samples evaluated. The physical and chemical characteristics of the samples was within the criteria established by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (Regulation No 01 of January 7, 2000). The hygienic-sanitary conditions of the processed acai evaluated were unsatisfactory, compromising the harmlessness of this food and consequently, its safety for human health.

Microbiological, parasitic, microscopic, physical and chemical characterization of processed acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) fruits

Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) fruit consumption has been increasing in recent years. The increasing demand for this fruit increased concerns about its quality. Thus, the objective of this work was to assess the microbiological, parasitical, microscopic, physical and chemical characteristics of processed acai. Processed acai of 12 commercial establishments were subjected to microbiological analyses (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, molds, yeasts and total and thermotolerant coliform quantifications, Staphylococcus catalase positive test and search for Salmonella ssp.), search for parasites, microscopic analysis (search for light and heavy dirt) and physical and chemical characterization (titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids °Brix, moisture content, ash, color). The samples had high amounts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria; 75% had total coliforms, molds and yeasts; 58.3% had Staphylococcus (catalase positive); and 8.33% had Salmonella spp. Moreover, the samples were not within the recommended microscopic standards, presenting foreign matter (sand and plastic). However, parasites were not found in the samples evaluated. The physical and chemical characteristics of the samples was within the criteria established by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (Regulation No 01 of January 7, 2000). The hygienic-sanitary conditions of the processed acai evaluated were unsatisfactory, compromising the harmlessness of this food and consequently, its safety for human health.(AU)

Quality of minimally processed shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) / Qualidade de camarão (Litopenaeus vannamei) minimamente processado

This study aimed to investigate the influence of application of sodium lactate, lactic acid and citric acid on the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of the shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The samples were submitted right after the collection, to minimum processing and two distinct treatments: no immersion in organic acids and sodium lactate solution (control) and immersion in biopreservatives solution (treated). The portions were vacuum packed and stored under refrigeration. During storage, physico-chemical analysis were performed, which consisted in hydrogenionic potential, water holding capacity, cooking weight loss and color in addition were also performed microbiological analysis for bacterial count including aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic on days zero, two and four, with three replicates per treatment. The data were evaluated by the Student t test at 5% significance level. The data showed the effectiveness of treatment to preserve the quality of shrimp. The results from physicochemical analysis showed a better result in the treatment group when compared to the control group, on the same way, the data from bacteriological analyzes showed a significant reduction of the microorganism growth in the treated group when compared to the control group.

O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a influência da aplicação de lactato de sódio, ácido lático e ácido cítrico nas propriedades físico-químicas e microbiológicas do camarão (Litopenaeus vannamei). As amostras foram submetidas, logo após a coleta, ao processamento mínimo e dois tratamentos distintos: ausência de imersão em solução de ácidos orgânicos e lactato de sódio (controle) e imersão na solução de bioconservantes (tratado). As porções foram embaladas a vácuo e estocadas sob refrigeração. Durante o armazenamento, foram realizadas análises físico-químicas tais como o potencial hidrogeniônico, a capacidade de retenção de água, a perda de peso por cocção e cor. Foram também realizadas análises microbiológicas para contagem de bactérias aeróbicas mesófilas e psicrotróficas nos dias zero, dois e quatro, em três repetições por tratamento. Os dados obtidos foram avaliados pelo teste de t Student ao nível de 5% de significância. Os resultados obtidos comprovaram a eficácia do tratamento na preservação da qualidade do camarão, onde os resultados obtidos nas análises físico-químicas apresentaram melhores valores no grupo tratado quando comparado ao grupo controle, assim como para as análises bacteriológicas onde os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa no crescimento de microrganismos no grupo tratado quando comparado com o grupo controle.

Quality of minimally processed shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) / Qualidade de camarão (Litopenaeus vannamei) minimamente processado

This study aimed to investigate the influence of application of sodium lactate, lactic acid and citric acid on the physico-chemical and microbiological properties of the shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The samples were submitted right after the collection, to minimum processing and two distinct treatments: no immersion in organic acids and sodium lactate solution (control) and immersion in biopreservatives solution (treated). The portions were vacuum packed and stored under refrigeration. During storage, physico-chemical analysis were performed, which consisted in hydrogenionic potential, water holding capacity, cooking weight loss and color in addition were also performed microbiological analysis for bacterial count including aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic on days zero, two and four, with three replicates per treatment. The data were evaluated by the Student t test at 5% significance level. The data showed the effectiveness of treatment to preserve the quality of shrimp. The results from physicochemical analysis showed a better result in the treatment group when compared to the control group, on the same way, the data from bacteriological analyzes showed a significant reduction of the microorganism growth in the treated group when compared to the control group.(AU)

O presente estudo teve por objetivo investigar a influência da aplicação de lactato de sódio, ácido lático e ácido cítrico nas propriedades físico-químicas e microbiológicas do camarão (Litopenaeus vannamei). As amostras foram submetidas, logo após a coleta, ao processamento mínimo e dois tratamentos distintos: ausência de imersão em solução de ácidos orgânicos e lactato de sódio (controle) e imersão na solução de bioconservantes (tratado). As porções foram embaladas a vácuo e estocadas sob refrigeração. Durante o armazenamento, foram realizadas análises físico-químicas tais como o potencial hidrogeniônico, a capacidade de retenção de água, a perda de peso por cocção e cor. Foram também realizadas análises microbiológicas para contagem de bactérias aeróbicas mesófilas e psicrotróficas nos dias zero, dois e quatro, em três repetições por tratamento. Os dados obtidos foram avaliados pelo teste de t Student ao nível de 5% de significância. Os resultados obtidos comprovaram a eficácia do tratamento na preservação da qualidade do camarão, onde os resultados obtidos nas análises físico-químicas apresentaram melhores valores no grupo tratado quando comparado ao grupo controle, assim como para as análises bacteriológicas onde os resultados mostraram uma redução significativa no crescimento de microrganismos no grupo tratado quando comparado com o grupo controle.(AU)