ABSTRACT
Gastrointestinal diseases caused by protozoan parasites remain a major challenge in developing countries and ingestion of contaminated surface water represents one of the main sources by which these diseases are contracted. This study assessed the risk of infection and diseases caused by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia sp. due to ingestion of surface water used for public supply and recreational activities, focusing on the southeastern Brazilian Pardo River and applying the USEPA 1623 method to quantify (oo)cyst concentrations. Infection and disease probabilities due to ingestion of drinking water or during recreational activities were estimated using the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) approach. Mean concentrations of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia sp. in surface water ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 oocysts L-1 and 0.2 to 4.4 cysts L-1, respectively. Considering public water supply, annual infection probabilities were higher for adults than children and exceeded the USEPA limit; also, disease probabilities were higher for adults than children. For recreational activities, annual infection and disease probabilities were higher for children, followed by men and women. The occurrence of both parasites likely reflects raw sewage discharge, effluent from sewage treatment plants, and diffuse sources of pollution, such as runoff from pasture lands and deforested riparian forest corridors. Our results highlight substantial infection risks by both parasite types after conventional treatment of water used for public supply and also call for careful monitoring of water bodies used for recreational purposes.
Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis , Cryptosporidium , Drinking Water , Parasites , Animals , Child , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Drinking Water/parasitology , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Female , Giardia , Humans , Oocysts , Risk Assessment , Sewage/parasitology , Water SupplyABSTRACT
This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This systematic literature review includes studies published from 2001 to 2016 and indexed in PubMed, Lilacs and Elsevier's Scopus Database, using the following key words: Disposal of medicines in household, Disposal of drugs expired, Residential expired drugs, Management of expired medications in household. Thirty-three studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reveal that the main reasons people keep a stock of medicines at home include the possibility of future use, leftovers from previous treatments, and self-medication. Inappropriate disposal methods prevail, such as throwing medicines in the household trash or flushing them into the sewer. Some countries have adopted programs to educate on proper storage and disposal of medicines, though only one study describes a national program guiding these practices that is free of charge. Evidence shows there is a need to implement public policies intended to provide guidance on the proper storage and disposal of medicines at home.
Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a evidência científica nacional e internacional existente sobre o motivo do estoque e a forma de descarte dos medicamentos no domicílio. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2001 a 2016 nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Elsevier's Scopus Database, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: "Disposal of medicines in household", "Disposal of expired drugs", "Residential expired drugs", "Management of expired medications in household". Foram selecionados 33 estudos originais após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os estudos analisados demonstraram que os principais motivos de estoque no domicílio foram: automedicação; guarda para uso futuro e sobras de tratamentos anteriores. E quanto ao descarte dos medicamentos, prevalecem práticas inadequadas, como descarte no lixo comum e na rede de esgoto. Alguns países têm adotado programas de orientação sobre o armazenamento e o descarte correto, no entanto, foi apenas encontrado um estudo que descreve um programa nacional gratuito, para orientar essas práticas. A partir das evidências cientificas verificou-se a importância do incentivo para a elaboração e a implementação de políticas públicas voltadas para o uso e descarte adequado de medicamentos no domicílio.
Subject(s)
Drug Storage/methods , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Refuse Disposal/methods , Brazil , Humans , Public PolicyABSTRACT
Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a evidência científica nacional e internacional existente sobre o motivo do estoque e a forma de descarte dos medicamentos no domicílio. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura de 2001 a 2016 nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Elsevier's Scopus Database, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: "Disposal of medicines in household", "Disposal of expired drugs", "Residential expired drugs", "Management of expired medications in household". Foram selecionados 33 estudos originais após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Os estudos analisados demonstraram que os principais motivos de estoque no domicílio foram: automedicação; guarda para uso futuro e sobras de tratamentos anteriores. E quanto ao descarte dos medicamentos, prevalecem práticas inadequadas, como descarte no lixo comum e na rede de esgoto. Alguns países têm adotado programas de orientação sobre o armazenamento e o descarte correto, no entanto, foi apenas encontrado um estudo que descreve um programa nacional gratuito, para orientar essas práticas. A partir das evidências cientificas verificou-se a importância do incentivo para a elaboração e a implementação de políticas públicas voltadas para o uso e descarte adequado de medicamentos no domicílio.
Abstract This study's objective was to analyze Brazilian and international scientific evidence on the reasons people store medication at home and the disposal methods used. This systematic literature review includes studies published from 2001 to 2016 and indexed in PubMed, Lilacs and Elsevier's Scopus Database, using the following key words: Disposal of medicines in household, Disposal of drugs expired, Residential expired drugs, Management of expired medications in household. Thirty-three studies were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies reveal that the main reasons people keep a stock of medicines at home include the possibility of future use, leftovers from previous treatments, and self-medication. Inappropriate disposal methods prevail, such as throwing medicines in the household trash or flushing them into the sewer. Some countries have adopted programs to educate on proper storage and disposal of medicines, though only one study describes a national program guiding these practices that is free of charge. Evidence shows there is a need to implement public policies intended to provide guidance on the proper storage and disposal of medicines at home.
Subject(s)
Humans , Pharmaceutical Preparations , Refuse Disposal/methods , Drug Storage/methods , Public Policy , BrazilABSTRACT
Contamination by metals and microbiological agents in hemodialysis water can cause clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. Evaluating and assuring minimum levels of contamination from metals and microorganisms in hemodialysis water can improve patient safety. The objective of this study was to assess hemodialysis water quality in a major tertiary hospital in Brazil and investigate the relationship between hemodialysis water quality and clinical intercurrences in hemodialysis patients. A prospective-observational cohort study for evaluation of water quality parameters and clinical intercurrences present by patients (n = 52) were performed from May 2014 to April 2015. Mixed linear regression models and binary regression models were fitted for water quality parameters and patients' clinical parameters. The increase in the levels of copper and nitrate in hemodialysis water was significant (p < 0.05) to explain anemia. Bone pain was related to age, sex (female), and hemodialysis treatment duration (years). Hypotensive episodes were related to serum sodium decrease. Aluminum in hemodialysis water was present in an average concentration higher than the permitted threshold (15.35 ± 14.53 µg/L). Cadmium, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and endotoxins in hemodialysis water were not detected and the heterotrophic bacteria count was below the reference limit. These parameters' concentrations varied during the study, evidencing the need for continuous monitoring.
Subject(s)
Anemia/pathology , Anemia/therapy , Renal Dialysis/methods , Adult , Aged , Aluminum/analysis , Brazil , Cadmium/analysis , Cohort Studies , Endotoxins/analysis , Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Water/chemistry , Water Quality , Water SupplyABSTRACT
Introdução: A inserção das crianças em creches e pré-escolas tem constituído um importante dispositivo na atual configuração social. No entanto, o convívio permanente na creche/escola propicia o adoecimento das crianças com maior frequência quando comparadas com outras que permanecem em espaços familiares mais restritos, especialmente por enteroparasitos. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp., considerados enteroparasitos oportunistas emergentes e reemergentes, e outros enteroparasitos em amostras de fezes de crianças de 2 a 6 anos de uma escola de educação infantil filantrópica. Casuística e Métodos: Participaram do estudo 32 crianças e a detecção de enteroparasitos foi feita pelo Método de Hoffmann, Pons e Janer. A identificação de Cryptosporidiumspp. foi realizada pela centrífugo-sedimentação formalina-éter seguido da coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada. Para confirmação de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. foi utilizado o teste de ELISA (RIDASCREEN®). Resultados: A prevalência de enteroparasitos foi de 62,5%, com elevada frequência de Cryptosporidiumspp. (31%) e Giardia spp. (25%). A idade mais acometida por esses microrganismos emergentes e reemergentes foi de 3 e 4 anos. Conclusão: A partir do exposto, é de suma importância realizar processos de educação em saúde para famílias e funcionários das instituições escolares a respeito das principais formas de transmissão e medidas de prevenção de enteroparasitoses, a fim de evitar a disseminação de microrganismos patogênicos no ambiente escolar.
Introduction:The insertion of children in daycare center and pre-schools has been an important device in the current social configuration. However, t he p ermanent living in the daycare center makes the children sickness more frequently when compared to others who remain in more restricted family spaces, especially for enteroparasites. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardia spp., emerging and re-emerging opportunistic enteroparasites, and other enteroparasites in faeces samples from children aged 2 to 6 years old of a philanthropic daycare center. Patients andMethods:Thirty-two children participated in the study and the detection of enteroparasites was carried out by the method of Hoffmann, Pons and Janer. Identification of Cryptosporidium spp. was c arried out by centrifugal-sedimentation formalin-ether followed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. For confirmation of Cryptosporidiumspp. and Giardia spp. the ELISA test (RIDASCREEN®) was used. Results:The prevalence of enteroparasites was 62.5%, with a high frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. (31%) and Giardiaspp. (25%). The age most affected by these emerging and re-emerging microorganisms was 3 and 4 years old. Conclusion:From the above, health education processes for families and staff of scholar institutions on the main forms of transmission and prevention of enteroparasitoses are of paramount importance in order to avoid the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the school environment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Child , Cryptosporidium , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , GiardiaABSTRACT
Os objetivos do estudo foram avaliar a frequência de enteroparasitos em crianças de creches filantrópicas e adaptar um diagrama de Ecomapa para avaliar as condições socioambientais envolvidas. Um total de 151 amostras de fezes, coletadas de 66 crianças de dois a seis anos de idade foram analisadas por meio de técnicas de Hoffman, Pons e Janer (HPJ), e de Faust e colaboradores. Um questionário estruturado foi aplicado aos responsáveis pelas crianças, e um Ecomapa foi adaptado para avaliar as interações entre as crianças parasitadas e os condicionantes socioambientais. Enteroparasitos patogênicos (Ascaris lumbricoides, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia e Strongyloides stercoralis) e não patogênicos (Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli e Iodamoeba butschilii) foram identificados, acometendo 37,9 % das crianças. Com o Ecomapa observaram-se fortes correlações dos parâmetros avaliados (renda familiar, higiene alimentar e pessoal, escolaridade dos responsáveis, contato com animais domésticos e interpessoal) com as crianças parasitadas. O parasito Giardia lamblia foi o de maior frequência e a adaptação do Ecomapa permitiu efetuar a avaliação dos principais condicionantes envolvidos. Diante do exposto é necessário implementar o programa de educação em saúde no ambiente escolar que estimulem os hábitos de higiene alimentar e pessoal, como atividades de prevenção e controle de parasitos.
This study evaluated the enteroparasites frequency in children at philanthropic daycare centers, andthe adaptation of an Ecomap diagram to evaluate the socio-environmental conditions. The 151 faecessamples collected from 66 children aged two to six years old were analyzed, by using the techniquesof Hoffman, Pons and Janer (HPJ) and Faust et col. A structured questionnaire was applied tothose responsible for children, and an Ecomap was adapted for evaluating the interactions betweenparasitized children and socio-environmental conditions. Pathogenic enteroparasites (Ascarislumbricoides, Balantidium coli, Giardia lamblia e Strongyloides stercoralis) and non-pathogenicones (Chilomastix mesnili, Endolimax nana, Entamoeba coli e Iodamoeba butschilii) were identified,and affecting 37.9 % of children. The Ecomap indicated the strong relationships of the evaluated parameters (family income, personal and food hygiene, schooling of the responsible, contactwith domestic animals and interpersonal) with the parasitized children. Giardia lamblia was the parasite showing the highest frequency, and the adaptation of the Ecomap allowed to evaluate the main conditioning factors involved. In view of these findings, it is needed to implement the health education program in the school environment for stimulating the food and personal hygiene habits, as the activities for parasites prevention and control.
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Child , Child Day Care Centers , Parasitic DiseasesABSTRACT
O lançamento de esgotos domésticos in natura, efluentes das estações de tratamento de esgoto e escoamento superficial, são relatados como importantes causas de poluição das águas superficiais. Sabe-se que a alteração da qualidade das águas dos rios restringe seus múltiplos usos e contribui para o aumento de doenças de veiculação hídrica, em decorrência da exposição oral a bioagentes patogênicos. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar e quantificar bioagentes presentes na água do rio Pardo, Brasil, e estimar o risco de infecção e de doença por Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. para a população, devido ao uso do rio como fonte de abastecimento público e recreação de contato primário, por meio da abordagem da Avaliação Quantitativa de Risco Microbiológico (AQRM). Durante os anos de 2015 e 2016, foram realizadas seis coletas de amostras da água do rio Pardo (período chuvoso e período seco) em seis pontos, totalizando 36 amostras. Foram realizadas análises de identificação e quantificação de E. coli, Salmonella Não Tifóide, Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. Para estimativa de risco de infecção e de doença por Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. (AQRM), foram considerados diferentes populações (crianças e adultos), volumes de água ingerido, concentração de (oo)cistos e duração e frequência da exposição, de acordo com o cenário estabelecido. Os valores médios para E. coli variaram de 6,57 x 101 UFC/100 mL a 6,07 x 103 UFC/100 mL, apresentando diferenças estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,05) entre os períodos chuvoso e seco. As densidades de Salmonella Não Tifóide foram baixas (<0,6473 a 1,55 NMP/100 mL), com frequência de 13,9% das amostras positivas, evidenciando a circulação desse patógeno no ambiente. A concentração de (oo)cistos de Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. variou de <0,1 a 0,4 oocistos/L e <0,1 a 4,4 cistos/L, respectivamente. Para abordagem da AQRM devido a ingestão da água do rio Pardo usada para abastecimento público, a probabilidade anual de infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. e Giardia spp. foi maior para adultos do que para crianças, sendo que na maioria dos pontos apresentou resultados superiores ao risco anual tolerável pela USEPA (1 x 10-4). No que diz respeito ao uso da água do rio Pardo para recreação de contato primário, a probabilidade diária e anual de infecção, bem como a probabilidade de doenças, foi maior para crianças, seguida de adultos/homens e adultos/mulheres. A probabilidade de criptosporidiose e giardíase esteve abaixo do limite tolerável pela USEPA (3,6 x 10-2), exceto no Ponto 4, em que a estimativa de risco de doença por Giardia spp. para crianças esteve acima deste valor. A presença de bioagentes em amostras de água do rio Pardo pode estar relacionada à poluição das águas por fontes pontuais e difusas. Esses achados refletem a importância de priorizar os recursos para implantação e complementação das Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto na UGRHI 4, a fim de prevenir as doenças de veiculação hídrica em populações que utilizam a água do rio Pardo para abastecimento público e recreação de contato primário
The discharge of domestic sewage, effluents of wastewater treatment plants and surface runoff, are reported as important causes of surface water pollution. It is known that the alteration of river water quality restricts its multiple uses and contributes to the increase of waterborne diseases, due to oral exposure to pathogenic bioagents. In this context, the aim of the present study was to identify and quantify bioagents present in Pardo river water, Brazil, and to estimate the risk of infection and disease by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. for the population, due to the use of the river as source of public supply and primary contact recreation, through the approach of Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). During the years of 2015 and 2016, six samples of water from the Pardo river (rainy and dry season) were collected at six points, totaling 36 samples. Identification and quantification analyzes of E. coli, Non-typhoid Salmonella, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. To estimate the risk of infection and disease by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. (QMRA), different populations (children and adults), volumes of ingested water, concentration of (oo) cysts, duration and frequency of exposure were considered according to the established scenario. Mean values for E. coli varied from 6.57 x 101 CFU / 100 mL to 6.07 x 103 CFU / 100 mL, showing statistically significant differences (p <0.05) between the rainy and dry season. Non-typhoid Salmonella densities were low (<0.6473 at 1.55 MPN / 100 mL), with a frequency of 13.9% of the positive samples, evidencing the circulation of this pathogen in the environment. Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. concentration ranged from <0.1 to 0.4 oocysts / L and <0.1 to 4.4 cysts / L, respectively. In order to approach the QMRA due to the ingestion of Pardo river water used for public supply, the probability of annual infection by Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. was higher for adults than for children, and in most points presented results higher than the risk tolerable by USEPA (1 x 10-4). Regarding the use of Pardo river water for primary contact recreation, the daily and annual probability of infection, as well as the probability of illness, was higher for children, followed by adults / men and adults / women. The probability of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis was below the limit tolerable by USEPA (3.6 x 10-2), except in Point 4, where the estimated risk of disease by Giardia spp. for children was above this value. The presence of bioagents in Pardo river water may be related to water pollution by point and diffuse sources. These findings reflect the importance of prioritizing the resources for implementation and complementation of wastewater treatment plants at UGRHI 4, in order to prevent waterborne diseases in populations that use Pardo river water for public supply and primary contact recreation
Subject(s)
Water Microbiology , Water , Giardiasis , Cryptosporidium , Escherichia coliABSTRACT
Com o desenvolvimento humano, os recursos hídricos sofrem modificações derivadas da expansão demográfica e principalmente da falta de saneamento básico, que interferem diretamente na qualidade desses recursos com a introdução de substâncias químicas tóxicas e bioagentes patogênicos. Os vírus entéricos de veiculação hídrica, como adenovírus e rotavírus, merecem destaque considerando seus impactos na saúde pública. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de adenovírus e rotavírus em águas superficiais do Córrego Ribeirão Preto, SP. A coleta foi realizada em 11 pontos distintos, da nascente até a confluência com o Rio Pardo. O Teste de ELISA foi o método utilizado para a detecção dos vírus (RIDASCREEN® Adenovirus, RIDASCREEN® Rotavirus - R-Biopharm). De acordo com os resultados obtidos, 73% das amostras foram positivas para adenovírus, enquanto que 36% foram positivas para rotavírus. Considerando a virulência desses vírus entéricos e a vulnerabilidade de indivíduos imunossuprimidos, idosos e crianças, é preocupante a contaminação por esses agentes patogênicos de veiculação hídrica amplamente disseminados em águas superficiais.
Water resources have been suffering with the changes in demographic expansion and the lack of basic sanitation. These factors directly interfere with the quality of these resources due to the discharge of toxic chemicals and pathogenic bio-agents. The waterborne enteric viruses, such as rotavirus and adenovirus, deserve attention considering its impact on public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of adenovirus and rotavirus in surface water of Ribeirão Preto stream. Samplings were conducted in 11 different points from the spring to the confluence with the Rio Pardo. The ELISA test was carried out for the detection of viruses (RIDASCREEN® adenovirus, rotavirus RIDASCREEN® - R-Biopharm). According to the results, 73% of the samples were positive for adenovirus, while 36% were positive for rotavirus. Given the virulence of these enteric viruses and the vulnerability of immunosuppressed individuals, i.e. the elderly and children, contamination with these waterborne pathogens widely disseminated in surface water is concerning
Subject(s)
Humans , Surface Waters , Adenoviruses, Human , Sanitation , Environmental Health , Rotavirus , Quality of Life , Public HealthABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Emergent and re-emergent waterborne protozoans have become a worldwide public health problem, especially among vulnerable groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 17 HIV-infected children and their families. RESULTS: A high (76.5%) percentage of parasite-infected children was observed, even among children with CD4+ T-cell counts of >200 cells/mm3. Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cyclospora spp. were observed in 41.2% of these children Low income, poor hygiene practices, and co-infection in domestic, peridomestic and scholastic environments were significant sources of these intestinal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis, timely treatment, and socio-educational interventions may improve the health conditions of this vulnerable population.
Subject(s)
Coinfection/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Coinfection/immunology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Feces/parasitology , Female , HIV Infections/immunology , Humans , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/immunology , Male , Prevalence , Sanitation , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
As doenças de veiculação hídrica causadas por protozoários oportunistas re-emergiram como relevantes problemas de saúde pública nos últimos anos, apesar dos avanços tecnológicos nos processos de tratamento de água. Nesse marco,Cryptosporidium e Giardia são agentes que apresentam (oo)cistos resistentes ao tratamento convencional de água e se caracterizam por causar sérias morbidades em indivíduos imuno comprometidos. No Brasil, o controle de Cryptosporidium e Giardia em água por técnicas específicas e sensíveis ainda está pouco difundido. O presente estudo visou analisar criticamente as evidências científicas sobre a contaminação da água de abastecimento público por Cryptosporidium e Giardia. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura produzida entre 2001 e 2011 nas bases de dados PUBMED e LILACS. A partir dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se uma distribuição cosmopolita desses parasitas disseminados em diferentes fontes de água tratada, representando um potencial risco para a saúde pública e um desafio para a vigilância ambiental,considerando a especificidade e alto custo das técnicas analíticas reconhecidas internacionalmente para análise desses patógenos em água.
Water-borne diseases caused by opportunistic protozoa re-emerged as an important public health problem in recentyears, despite technological advances in water treatment processes. In this context, agents such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia produce (oo)cysts resistant to conventional water treatment and can cause serious cases of morbidity in immuno compromised individuals. In Brazil, water control by specific and sensitive techniques aimed at detecting Cryptosporidium and Giardia still is not widespread. The aim of this study was to do a critical analysis of the scientific evidence on the contamination of public water supplies by Cryptosporidium and Giardia. We did a systematic review of the literature produced from 2001 to 2011 in PUBMED and LILACS databases. From the results, we find a cosmopolitan distribution of these parasites in different sources of treated water, representing a risk to public health and a challenge for environmental monitoring, considering the specificity and high cost of internationally recognized analytical techniques for identifyingthese pathogens in water.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cryptosporidium , Drinking Water , GiardiaABSTRACT
Latin America, Africa, and Asia present wide dissemination and high prevalence rates of waterborne parasitic diseases, which is a strong indicative of the fragility of public sanitation systems. In this context, parasitological analyses represent extremely relevant instruments. Several parasite diagnosis methods exist, among which Ritchie's method (1948) stands out. This method uses formaldehyde and ether, two reagents of toxicological importance that can cause damages to environmental and occupational health. The present study aimed to compare Ritchie's method modified by Régis Anécimo, without use of solvents, with the traditional Ritchie's method, routinely used for helminth and protozoa diagnosing in Brazil. Some changes were introduced in the modified method, such as controlled increase of water temperature used after stool dilution and substitution of formaldehyde and ether by a neutral detergent before material centrifugation for observation of parasites. In examined samples by both methods, multiple infections were commonly observed; the modified method presented a similar sensitivity to identify the parasites. The development of analytic diagnosis methods that minimize the use of chemical products like ether and formaldehyde represents an important tool to prevent occupational diseases among exposed professionals, as well as to preserve environmental quality through the use of clean techniques.
ABSTRACT
As polpas de açaí congeladas comercializadas no município de Ribeirão Preto/SP foram avaliadas quanto às características nutricionais, físico-químicas, microscópicas e a rotulagem do produto. Os parâmetros físico-químicos como umidade, sólidos totais, cinzas, acidez, proteínas, lipídios, carboidratos, calorias e fibras foram analisados em 30 amostras de polpa de açaí integral, açaí tipo B e açaí tipo C. Os valores obtidos foram comparados com os da legislação e analisados pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p<0,05). A pesquisa de sujidades leves foi realizada seguindo-se a metodologia da AOAC. A informação nutricional descrita no rótulo do produto foi avaliada baseando-se nas legislações em vigor. Os três tipos de polpas analisados não apresentaram diferenças estatisticamente significantes em todos os parâmetros físico-químicos. Na análise microscópica, 50% das amostras apresentaram sujidades como fragmentos de insetos, ácaros, cristais de areia e pelo humano, que indicam a existência de falhas na adoção e/ou manutenção das Boas Práticas de Fabricação. Além disso, 3,33% das amostras foram consideradas impróprias para consumo pela presença de pelo de roedor, matéria estranha prejudicial à saúde humana. Irregularidades nas informações contidas nos rótulos dos produtos indicam a necessidade de melhor adequação quanto às normas gerais de rotulagem por parte dos fabricantes.
The nutritional, physical-chemical, microscopic characteristics and product description on package label of frozen açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart) pulp were assessed. Thirty samples of the whole açai pulp, açai type B and açai type C marketed in the municipality of Ribeirao Preto/SP were analyzed on physical-chemical parameters as moisture, total solids, ash, acidity, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, calories and fibers. The found contents were compared with the legislation and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test (p <0.05). Light filth presence was investigated following the methodology recommended by AOAC. The nutrients described on the product labels were evaluated based on the legislations in force. No statistically significant differences among the three types of açai pulp were found on all of the analyzed physical-chemical parameters. By microscopic analysis filth as insect fragments, mites, sand crystals and human hair were found in 50% of the samples, which indicated afailure in performing the Good Manufacturing Practices; and 3.33% of samples were found to be unsuitablefor consumption due to the presence of rodent hair, extraneous material harmful to human health. Some labelinformation on the products were at variance with the food labeling regulations.