Microbial quality and labeling of minimally processed fruits and vegetables
Biosci. j. (Online)
;
37: e37059, Jan.-Dec. 2021. tab, graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1359138
ABSTRACT
The consumption of minimally processed, or ready-to-eat (RTE), fruits and vegetables has been growing because people have shorter time to eat and due to the pursuit of convenience and health benefits. Minimal processing includes raw material selection and sorting, pre-washing, debarking, cutting, slicing, sanitizing, rinsing, centrifuging, and packing. Thus, natural protection barriers are affected during cutting methods and they release nutrients that enable microorganism growth. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the levels of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, molds and yeasts, coliforms at 35°C, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp., as well as the labeling adequacy of minimally processed fruits and vegetables traded in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Fruits and vegetables presented aerobic mesophilic bacteria, molds and yeasts, and coliforms at 35°C, above the safe limit for consumption purposes. The count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in RTE fruits ranged from 4.00 to 6.30 Log CFU/g. The highest count of this microorganism group was recorded for fruit salads. Salmonella sp. was not identified in fruit or vegetable samples, whereas Escherichia coli was detected in four vegetable samples. None of the evaluated labels (n = 40) followed the Brazilian legislation. Minimally processed fruits and vegetables had poor microbiological quality and labeling was also unsatisfactory. The adoption of good manufacturing practices and quality control tools as strategies to produce safe food can help minimizing risks to consumers' health.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Quality Control
/
Salmonella
/
Escherichia coli
/
Minimally Processed Foods
Language:
English
Journal:
Biosci. j. (Online)
Journal subject:
Agricultura
/
Disciplinas das Cincias Biol¢gicas
/
Pesquisa Interdisciplinar
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Federal University of Espírito Santo/BR
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