Investigação da qualidade higiênico-sanitária e segurança microbiológica de pescados frescos comercializados na cidade de Araguaína-TO

Abstract

Fish are healthy foods with increasing consumer acceptance. Fresh fish are considered fresh caught fish kept on ice only, traded informally. In the city of Araguaina, located in the northern state of Tocantins/Brazil, it is possible to find this type of food routinely in fairs and supermarkets with affordable cost. However, when they are not captured, stored or handled according to appropriate hygienic sanitary practices, they may be carriers of enteropathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli that may eventually lead to foodborne diseases (DTAs). The present study aimed to verify hygienic sanitary quality and microbiological safety of fresh fish marketed in fairs, fishmongers and supermarkets in the municipality of Araguaína/TO and the possible dangers to public health through their consumption. Counts of thermotolerant coliforms and psychrotrophic microorganisms were carried out, as well as, isolation and identification of Salmonella spp., E. coli. Of the 33 fresh fish samples collected, 49% (16/33) came from supermarkets, 12% (4/33) of fishmongers and 39% (13/33) from free markets. During acquisition of the samples it was observed that most of the trades in question did not comply with measures of conservation and adequate manipulation of these products. The thermotolerant coliform count had 6,06% (2/33) samples with numbers greater than 1100 MPN / mL, which indicates inadequate hygienic conditions and presence of possible enteropathogens. As for psychrotrophic counts, 54.54% (18/33) samples had countless colonies and 18.18% (6/33) samples presented counts above log 6, suggesting that these fish were not of satisfactory quality. After PCR, 24,24% (8/33) samples positive for Salmonella spp. and 9,09% (3/33) for E. coli were found, of which one was positive for the two microorganisms. The E. coli isolates were tested for virulence genes "Stx1, Stx2 and eaeA" and had negative results, thus being commensal strains. Therefore, it was possible to perceive that a good part of the analyzed fish commercialized in the city of Araguaína/TO are unsatisfactory, which can cause damage to the health of the consumers. It was also noticed that the current Brazilian law is not comprehensive regarding the microbiological parameters necessary for the commercialization of fresh fish.