Fate of Bacillus cereus and naturally occurring microbiota on milled rice as affected by temperature and relative humidity.

We studied the survival and growth patterns of Bacillus cereus, mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), and molds and yeasts (MY) on rough and milled brown and white Korean rice stored at 12 and 21 °C and 43, 68, and 85% relative humidity (RH) for up to 24 wk. The initial populations of MAB present on rough rice, brown rice, and white rice were 7.7, 5.7, and 3.3 log CFU/g, respectively, and remained constant or decreased (P ≤ 0.05) by 0.7-1.8 log CFU/g during storage. The initial populations of B. cereus on the three types of laboratory-inoculated rice were 3.1-3.8 log CFU/g and remained constant (P > 0.05) during storage, regardless of degree of milling, storage temperature, and RH. The initial populations of MY on rough rice, brown rice, and white rice were 6.2, 4.2, and 2.1 log CFU/g, respectively. At 12 °C and 85% RH, the MY increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) only on brown rice; however, at 21 °C and 85% RH, MY increased (P ≤ 0.05) on all types of rice during storage. These observations will be useful when assessing conditions affecting survival of B. cereus and determining environmental conditions necessary to prevent growth of potentially mycotoxigenic molds on various types of milled rice during storage.

Freeze-Drying Processes Applied to Melon Peel: Assessment of Physicochemical Attributes and Intrinsic Microflora Survival during Storage.

Melon peel is recognized as a source of healthy nutrients and oxidant compounds. Being considered a non-edible part with no profit value, large amounts of melon rinds are discharged by fruit industries. Innovative food ingredients with potential health benefits may arise if these parts were conveniently transformed. The objective was to freeze-dry small melon peel cubes to attain a potential edible matrix. An ozone pre-treatment was applied seeking decontamination purposes and quality retention. The effect of these processes was assessed in terms of physicochemical parameters (moisture content, water activity and color), bioactive compounds (total phenolics, vitamin C and chlorophylls) and antioxidant capacity, during 7 weeks of storage at room temperature. Intrinsic microflora (mesophylls, yeasts and molds) were also monitored. Results showed that the freeze-drying process allowed retention of the most bioactive compounds analyzed, except for total phenolic content. In this case, the ozone pre-treatment was important for phenolics preservation. During the storage period, ozonated samples presented a higher content of bioactive compounds. In terms of microflora, the ozone and freeze-drying effects were not significant. Freeze-drying proved to be a suitable preservation method for melon peel. The ozone impact was not relevant in terms of decontamination.

Qualidade microbiológica de manteigas extra qualidade / Microbiological quality of extra quality butters

A manteiga é um produto lácteo fabricado a partir do creme de leite pasteurizado. É necessária uma série de condições e cuidados, desde a obtenção da matéria-prima até a sua comercialização, para evitar o comprometimento da sua qualidade e evitar danos à saúde do consumidor. Nessa perspectiva, este trabalho avaliou a qualidade microbiológica de diferentes marcas de manteiga extra qualidade comercializadas no norte do Mato Grosso. Foram determinados coliformes totais, termotolerantes e Escherichia coli, bolores e leveduras. Todas as marcas avaliadas apresentaram resultados negativos para coliformes. Os resultados da contagem de bolores e leveduras variaram de 1,0x102 a 8,37x104 UFC/g.(AU)

Qualidade microbiológica de manteigas extra qualidade / Microbiological quality of extra quality butters

A manteiga é um produto lácteo fabricado a partir do creme de leite pasteurizado. É necessária uma série de condições e cuidados, desde a obtenção da matéria-prima até a sua comercialização, para evitar o comprometimento da sua qualidade e evitar danos à saúde do consumidor. Nessa perspectiva, este trabalho avaliou a qualidade microbiológica de diferentes marcas de manteiga extra qualidade comercializadas no norte do Mato Grosso. Foram determinados coliformes totais, termotolerantes e Escherichia coli, bolores e leveduras. Todas as marcas avaliadas apresentaram resultados negativos para coliformes. Os resultados da contagem de bolores e leveduras variaram de 1,0x102 a 8,37x104 UFC/g.(AU)

Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica de polpas de frutas congeladas comercializadas na cidade de Cuiabá - MT / Evaluation of the microbiological quality of frozen fruit pulps commercialized in the city of Cuiabá-MT

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de polpas de frutas congeladas comercializadas na cidade de Cuiabá - MT, comparando aos padrões da legislação vigente. Foi avaliada a qualidade microbiológica de 25 amostras de polpas de frutas coletadas na cidade de Cuiabá-MT, de cinco diferentes polpas (abacaxi, acerola, caju, goiaba e maracujá) e de cinco marcas comerciais (denominadas A, B, C, D e E), para determinação da população global de bolores e leveduras, em unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC/mL), determinação do Número Mais Provável (NMP. mL-1) de coliformes totais e termotolerantes (a 45ºC) e determinação da presença/ausência de Salmonella sp. Os resultados para detecção de Salmonella sp. coliformes totais e termotolerantes nas polpas congeladas mostraram que estas se encontravam de acordo com a legislação vigente. Para a contagem de bolores e leveduras, porém, três amostras (12%) apresentaram índices elevados, acima do limite máximo estabelecido pela legislação vigente. Tais resultados sugerem possível inadequação do controle higiênico de algumas das indústrias evidenciando que as condições higiênicas durante o processamento, manipulação e armazenamento podem estar em desacordo com as Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF).

This work aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of frozen pulps (pineapple, acerola, cashew, guava, passion fruit) from five commercial brands commercialized in Cuiabá city, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Analysis microbiological were performed (Salmonella sp., molds and yeasts, total coliform, and thermotolerant counts) in 25 samples, in accordance with the accordance to the Brazilian legislation requirements. The counts of Salmonella sp., total and thermotolerant coliforms in the samples were in accordance to the Brazilian legislation requirements, except for frozen pulp of pineapple of one commercial brand for Escherichia coli because was present, but with value lower than of the legislation limit. Results for molds and yeasts were bigger than legislation limit, with presence in 12% of total samples. Concluded with this work that it is possible that some frozen pulps in some commercial brands sold in Cuiabá were not being manipulated neither with necessary hygienic conditions during processing, handling and storage.