Condições higiênico-sanitárias do leite comercializado na microrregião sertaneja da Paraíba.

Abstract

The availability of nutrients in milk, its high water activity and its pH close to neutrality makes it an extremely favorable medium for microbial growth. The hygienic-sanitary conditions adopted in the production system, in the processing and in the commercialization of raw milk are indispensable factors for its microbiological quality to be satisfactory. In general, the microbial load of the milk depends on the number of microorganisms that come into contact with the milk before milking or through subsequent contamination. Eight samples of milk sold in six municipalities located in the hinterland of the State of Paraíba (Sousa, Pombal, Cajazeiras, Patos, Coremas and Catolé do Rocha) were collected, thus totaling forty-eight samples. They were evaluated for microbiological quality and the parameters evaluated were: Coliforms at 35 and 45ºC (NMP / ml), Salmonella sp. (absence / presence), Total count of Aerobic Mesophilic bacteria (CTM) (UFC / ml) and Filamentous fungi and yeasts (UFC / ml). In the results obtained, it was possible to observe the high microbial load in the analyzed samples. For coliforms at 45 ° C, averages ranged from 150 NMP / ml to 1100 NMP / ml, thus indicating hygiene deficiencies during the process of obtaining milk. The city that obtained less contamination in its samples in relation to filamentous fungi and yeasts, was Coremas, whereas the city of Patos presented the highest average among the analyzed samples. Samples analyzed in Cajazeiras, Pombal and Catolé do Rocha were contaminated with Salmonella spp. The milk samples analyzed showed unsatisfactory hygienic-sanitary conditions, presenting a high microbial load and thus presenting a risk to the consumer's health.