Aeromonas species research in samples of water and beef obtained at industrial level / Pesquisa de espécies de Aeromonas em amostras de água e carne bovina obtidas em nível industrial

ABSTRACT

The presence of bacteria of the genus Aeromonas in food of animal origin has been demonstrated by several authors. Among the most often cited foods are those which, during their preparation, come into contact with water which is considered to be the habitat of different species and the major source of food contamination. Thus, in arder to determine the occurrence of bacteria of the genus Aeromonas in an abattoir where cattle is slaughtered and beef is processed, 20 samples of the water supply, 20 samples of residual water from carcass washing, and 20 samples of meat, were analyzed. The results showed the occurrence of aeromonads in 40% of the samples of re-sidual water from carcass washing, represented only by the species A. caviae, and in 25% of the meat samples (A. hydrophila in 15% and A. caviae in 10%). The fact that no aeromonads were isolated from the water supply samples suggests the existence of other sources of beef contamination.