| Abstrakt: |
AbstractThe consumption of raw milk soft cheeses (RMSC), which are typically manufactured in small dairy farms under unsatisfactory hygiene conditions, is common in Brazil. Due to these production characteristics, this type of cheese is a potential carrier of pathogenic microorganisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcusspp. Considering these characteristics, in this work, we aimed to detect the presence of these pathogenic microorganisms in RMC and to evaluate their microbiological quality. Fifty-five samples of this product were collected from different noninspected commercial establishments and submitted to the enumeration of mesophilic aerobes (MA), total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli, and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), and detection of L. monocytogenesand Salmonellaspp. All analyzed samples were negative for Salmonellaspp. and L. monocytogenes. All samples presented counts of MA higher than 106colony forming units/g (CFU/g; range, 3.0 × 106to 4.0 × 109). TC were present at levels between 1.0 × 103and 1.8 × 108CFU/g, and E. colibetween 1.0 × 102and 3.5 × 106CFU/g. CPS were detected in 17 (30.9%) samples at levels higher than 104CFU/g. These results confirm the poor microbiological quality of raw milk used in the manufacturing of RMC samples, and also the inadequate production conditions. Therefore, the evaluation of microbiological safety and quality of these products must be constantly reported to alert the official agencies about the significance of proper inspection. |
