Microbial quality and labeling of minimally processed fruits and vegetables
Biosci. j. (Online)
; 37: e37059, Jan.-Dec. 2021. tab, graf
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: biblio-1359138
Responsible library:
BR396.1
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Quality Control
/
Salmonella
/
Escherichia coli
/
Minimally Processed Foods
Language:
En
Journal:
Biosci. j. (Online)
/
Bioscience journal (Online)
/
Biosciense journal (Impresso)
Journal subject:
Agricultura
/
Disciplinas das Cincias Biol¢gicas
/
Pesquisa Interdisciplinar
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Country of publication:
Brazil