Search

The traffic in international animal products can become a public health hazard when legal import sanitary procedures are not followed. In Brazil, due to its extensive border area, the importation of animal products is a common practice in many areas, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, a state that borders Argentina and Uruguay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of veterinary drug residues (antibiotics and antiparasitics) in animal products consumed in Rio Grande do Sul. The presence of residues of veterinary antibiotics and antiparasitics was assessed in 189 meat (beef, pork, and chicken), processed dairy, and meat product samples bought in Argentina (n = 90) and Uruguay (n = 99). Residues of these veterinary drugs were detected in 50 (26.45%) of the samples; 28 samples (14.81%) had antibiotic residues, and 22 samples (11.64%) had antiparasitic residues. Of the 50 positive samples, 40% (15 from Argentina and 5 from Uruguay) had residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Of these 20 samples, 12 had antiparasitic residues above the MRLs (11 beef samples had ivermectin and 1 pork sample had ivermectin and doramectin) and 8 had antibiotic residues above the MRLs (2 pork and 2 sausage samples had doxycycline, 2 cheese samples had doxycycline and chlortetracycline, 1 poultry meat sample had chloramphenicol, and 1 cheese sample had monensin). Because of the potential toxic effects on humans and the potential for pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance, the presence of these residues above the MRLs is a potential risk to public health. The negative impact of consumption of imported animal products can be reduced by implementation of an effective surveillance system and educational campaigns for the general population.

Biofilmes sao ecossistemas complexos. Eles consistem em um ponto de contaminacao constante, causando grandes problemas para as industrias alimenticias. As salmonelas sao consideradas como um dos principais agentes patogenicos de produtos alimentares. Produtos carneos em geral, sao comumente implicados com a transmissao desse patogeno aos suscetiveis. Devido a essa importância, este estudo objetivou avaliar a formacao de biofilme por cepas de Salmonella spp. nas temperaturas de 25°C e 37°C. Foram avaliadas 9 cepas, as quais foram isoladas, previamente, de linguica frescal oriundas de diferentes marcas adquiridas no comercio da regiao de Pelotas-RS. A quantificacao foi realizada utilizando um espectofotometro de placas de microtitulacao. Todas as cepas quando testadas a 25°C mostraram-se incapazes de formar biofilmes. Por outro lado, quando testadas a 37 °C, 33,33% (n=3) foram capazes de formar biofilme. Bacterias formadoras de biofilme sao um ponto de contaminacao constante e um potencial problema para as industrias alimenticias e para a saude publica, por isso os procedimentos de limpeza nas superficies de equipamentos e utensilios devem ser rigorosos a fim de diminuir o risco de transmissao do agente aos alimentos.

Bacteriocins are ribosomal-synthesized antimicrobial peptides that inhibit the growing of pathogenic and/or deteriorating bacteria. The most studied bacteriocin-producing microorganisms are lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as they have great potential application in food biopreservation, since the majority have GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. The LAB-producing bacteriocins and/or bacteriocins produced by these bacteria have been widely studied, with the emphasis on those derived from milk and dairy products. On the other hand, isolates from meat and meat products are less studied. The objective of this review is to address the main characteristics, classification, and mechanism of action of bacteriocins and their use in food, to highlight studies on the isolation of LAB with bacteriocinogenic potential from meat and meat products and also to characterize, purify, and apply these bacteriocins in meat products. In summary, most of the microorganisms studied areLactococcus,Enterococcus,Pediococcus, andLactobacillus, which produce bacteriocins such as nisin, enterocin, pediocin, pentocin, and sakacin, many with the potential for use in food biopreservation.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of pathogens in, and the hygienic-sanitary quality of, commercialized foods of animal origin at the international border region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In total, 270 samples of raw and processed foods of animal origin were collected in Paso de los Libres, Argentina (n = 65 raw meat, n = 47 dairy products, n = 28 processed meat) and Rivera, Uruguay (n = 60 raw meat, n = 31 dairy products, n = 29 processed meat), or were seized by the Brazilian International Agricultural Surveillance System (Brazil-Argentina border) (n = 9 raw meat, n = 1 bush meat). The samples were subjected to the enumeration of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, enterobacteria, and coagulase-positive staphylococci, and were tested for Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7. The virulence genes for Salmonella spp. (hilA, invA, spvC, pefA, and sefA), L. monocytogenes (prs, inlA, inlC, and inlJ) and E. coli O157:H7 (uspA, eae, rfbO157, fliCH7, stx1, stx2, and hlyA) were investigated using PCR assays. Raw products showed higher counts of aerobic mesophiles and enterobacteria compared to processed products (P 0.05). Escherichia coli O157:H7 was not detected in any of the samples tested. Salmonella spp. was detected in six (8%) raw products from Argentina. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from five (6.66%) raw products originating in Argentina and 20 (16.66%) raw products from Uruguay. All 52 E. coli isolates carried the uspA gene, but only one carried the eae gene. The rfbO157, fliCH7, stx1, stx2, and hlyA genes were not detected. All Salmonella spp. isolates carried hilA and invA genes, but spvC, pefA, and sefA were not found. All L. monocytogenes isolates carried the prs gene; however, inlA, inlC, and inlJ genes were found in 20% of the isolates from Argentina and 95% of those from Uruguay. To our knowledge, this is the first microbiological study into the hygienic-sanitary quality of animal products in Brazil's land border region. Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were detected in products of animal origin, constituting a public health concern and emphasizing the need for an active surveillance system to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen introduction into Brazil.

Many microorganisms from various sources may be present in ejaculates of bulls. This study identified and isolated bacteria from bull sperm samples in a commercial stud and evaluated their resistance to antibiotics. The number of colony-forming units was determined in semen samples collected at distinct steps during freezing and thawing. The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration were determined for four antibiotics commonly used in commercial studs. A total of 135 microorganisms from 25 genera were isolated. After a sensitivity test, all evaluated microorganisms (n = 55) were resistant to penicillin and most of them were resistant to tylosin and lincomycin (n = 54). Resistance to all tested antibiotics was observed in 22% of all isolates, whereas only 3.9% of the isolates were inhibited by the tested antibiotics at the concentrations recommended by the international legislation. As the isolated microorganisms presented high resistance to frequently used antibiotics, sensitivity tests should be periodically conducted in commercial bull semen studs to prevent the use of contaminated semen in artificial insemination.

Bull Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC) have satisfactory control of sperm quality, but commonly lack standardized quality control of hygiene procedures. This study assessed the impact of implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in a bull SCPC, comparing microbial counts on various steps of semen processing, semen quality and costs across two periods (before and after the HACCP implementation). After surveying all routine activities of the SCPC, control points were identified, preventive measures were designed and corrective actions were employed, whenever necessary. Six months after HACCP implementation, the system was audited and production data covering two similar periods of two consecutive years were compared. Counts of colony forming units in samples collected from artificial vaginas, flexible tubes from the straw filling machine and from fresh and frozen semen after HACCP implementation were lower than during the previous period (P < 0.05). Improved post-thawing sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (P < 0.0001) and reduced rejection of semen batches and frozen doses were observed after HACCP implementation (P < 0.01), resulting in reduced opportunity costs. Thus, the implementation of a HACCP system in a bull SCPC allowed low-cost production of high-quality semen doses with reduced microbial contamination.

The beef world production chain generates a significant amount of waste with low value-added, among them are fatty waste that can be converted into biodiesel, given the break of some barriers that hinder the spread of biofuel from these sources. The primary goal of this work was to use bioprocess to modify the chemical structure of bovine fatty wastes via the use of Staphylococcus xylosus strains, providing a low melting point feedstock for biodiesel production. Have been investigated the effects of fermentation time and concentration of fat in the medium, evaluating the melting point and fatty acids profile. The melting temperature shown a decrease of 25 °C under the most favorable experimental conditions, due to alterations of the fats that involve decreases in the high content of saturated acids, and increases in the content of low melting point unsaturated acids.

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from mutton carcasses after slaughter. The study also evaluated the activity of bacteriocin-like substances (BLS) for control of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh mutton sausage. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) was obtained and its antimicrobial activity was quantified. The presence of genes encoding enterocin was evaluated by molecular techniques. Another aspect assessed was the action in situ of BLS produced by these isolates for control of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh mutton sausage, experimentally contaminated. Six isolates presented phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of safety. Also, the antibacterial peptides present in the CFS showed stability at different temperatures, pH, NaCl and cure salt concentrations, as well as potential against L. monocytogenes Scott A. The isolate identified as Enterococcus faecium EO1 showed gene coding for the production of enterocin A and produced bacteriocin after 6 h of growth (400 AU. mL−1). Based on this, the CFS of EO1 (5 and 10%) was applied in fresh mutton sausage, being significantly effective for control of L. monocytogenes during 21 days of refrigerated storage (4.07 log CFU. g−1). Therefore, the potential for preservation of food has been demonstrated through the use of CFS containing bacteriocin-like substances from E. faecium EO1 in fresh mutton sausage.

Considering the specific biochemical composition of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) meat (high iron content, high biological value proteins and essential fatty acids, low amounts of fat and cholesterol), we evaluated the influence of cutting and deboning operations on the microbiological quality and shelf-life of vacuum-packed buffalo meat stored under refrigeration. On the processing day, samples were collected from carcass, deboning room surfaces and meat cuts. Samples from meat cuts were evaluated weekly for two months. On the processing day, higher counts of Pseudomonas spp. were observed in samples from meat cuts compared with the hindquarters and the processing surfaces. For thermotolerant coliform scores, the averages were -0.5 log MPN·cm(-2), -0.4 log MPN·cm(-2) and 0.9 log MPN·g(-1), respectively. Higher counts of Pseudomonas spp. and LAB in meat cuts were observed on the processing day and after the first week of storage, respectively, remaining constant during shelf life. Listeria grayi was identified in two samples of hindquarters and meat cuts during storage. Listeria innocua was identified in one meat cut. In conclusion, cutting and deboning operations influence the microbiological quality and shelf life of vacuum-packed buffalo meat stored under refrigeration.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-04T12:31:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-12-01 Federal University of Pampa (UNIPAMPA) The aim of this study was to investigate hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E (HEV), and rotavirus (RV) in fresh and processed meat traded on the border of Brazil with Argentina and Uruguay. In total, 159 samples of raw and processed foods of animal origin were collected in Paso de los Libres, Argentina (n=53 raw meat, n=24 processed meat) and Rivera, Uruguay (n=55 raw meat, n=18 processed meat), or were seized by the Brazilian International Agricultural Surveillance SystemVIGIAGRO (Brazil-Argentina border) (n=8 raw meat, n=1 bush meat). All samples were tested for the presence of HAV, HEV, and RV genomes. HAV genes were detected in 18.23% of samples and RV genes in 23.89%. No HEV-positive samples were detected. HAV was also detected in two of the VIGIAGRO samples. Processed meats from Argentina and Uruguay had a higher rate of HAV and RV than raw meat (P>0.05). The median HAV in the Argentinian and Uruguayan samples was 6.9x10(4) and 3.5x10(3)copies/g, respectively. The presence of RV viral genes in raw meats from Argentina was significant, and this was not observed in processed meats. The presence of HAV and RV genes in a significant portion of products from Argentina and Uruguay is a potential source of human infection. This also indicates precarious conditions of acquisition, processing, and manipulation, which could be improved by improved regulation of food across borders. Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Higiene Vet & Saude Publ, Campus Botucatu, BR-18618681 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Pelotas, Campus Capao do Leao,Ave Eliseu Maciel SN, BR-96010900 Capao Do Leao, RS, Brazil Univ Fed Pampa, Campus Uruguaiana,BR 472,Km 585, BR-97501970 Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil Univ Feevale, Inst Ciencias Saude, Lab Microbiol Mol, Rodovia ERS-239,2755, BR-93525075 Novo Hamburgo, RS, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Med Vet & Zootecnia, Dept Higiene Vet & Saude Publ, Campus Botucatu, BR-18618681 Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Bull semen production centres (SPC) generally present satisfactory quality control for sperm processing, but non-standardized hygiene procedures. This study describes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system developed for bull SPC and subsequently implemented in a commercial SPC. After the identification of hazards at each step of semen processing and the determination of their risk and severity, monitoring and corrective procedures were designed to assess the system's efficiency. The HACCP system identified six microbiological hazards, 10 physical hazards, four chemical hazards and three critical control points. After the establishment of Good Processing Practices, Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Sanitizing Operating Procedures, the system was validated through an audit, to identify eventual failures and to define measures to correct them.

The capacity of Pseudomonas spp. and Listeria spp. isolates in forming polystyrene and stainless steel biofilms was assessed and their resistance to disinfectants and antibiotics agents was verified. Isolates originated from chicken and buffalo meat cuts in abattoirs and retail outlets in the southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Isolates which formed stainless steel biofilm were tested with regard to the activities of the disinfectant agents organic chlorine and ammonium quaternary. Isolates of L. monocytogenes formed polystyrene and stainless steel biofilm. Further, 32 and 72% of Pseudomonas spp. isolates respectively formed polystyrene and stainless steel biofilm. The disinfectant agent ammonium quaternary was more efficient than organic chlorine in the decrease of biofilms on stainless steel surfaces for Listeria isolates. Multi-resistance to antibiotics was high for Listeria spp. (94.7%) and Pseudomonas spp (84%). From these results, isolates from chicken and buffalo meat cuts were developers of biofilm on polystyrene and stainless steel, and resistants’ to antibiotics, putting at risk consumers´ health. Key words: Bacterial adhesion, ammonium quaternary, organic chlorine, chicken meat, buffalo meat.

International food transit is a risk to public and animal health when not subject to legal importation sanitation procedures. Due to the extensive border area, illegal food import in Brazil is a common practice, especially in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a state that borders with Argentina and Uruguay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of Brazilians living in cities in RS that border with Argentina (BR-AR) or Uruguay (BR-UR) regarding the practice of illegal import of products of animal origin and to determine associations between the population characteristics and illegal import. A questionnaire with information related to the personal profile, habits of acquisition of imported food, and knowledge of health risks deriving from the consumption of the imported products was elaborated. The questionnaire was administered in six cities in RS (three cities bordering Argentina and three cities bordering Uruguay) and responses were obtained from 744 individuals. The variables city, sex, level of education, and knowledge were subjected to the chi-square test to verify the association between these variables and food import. Part of the interviewees admitted to illegally importing products of animal origin at both BR-AR (65.17%) and BR-UR (76.28%) borders. Dairy products were the main imported goods, followed by raw and processed meat. The study revealed that illegal import is common at the frontier region of RS, especially that of products of animal origin, dairy, and raw and processed meat. Although illegal importation occurs at all the cities under study, it was higher at the BR-UR border. Also, knowledge of the health risks influences the decision to import food or not.

Intense manipulation during beef jerky production increases the possibility of contamination with pathogenic microorganisms. This study evaluated the contamination by thermotolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., on processing surfaces and raw materials during beef jerky production, as well as in the final product. Thermotolerant coliforms were found on all surfaces tested and in the raw material. Escherichia coli was identified in 6.7% of the surface samples, while Salmonella spp. was found in 3.3% of the surface samples and 8.6% of raw material samples. Virulence genes were detected in Salmonella spp. isolates. One Salmonella spp. isolate was resistant to sulfonamide, while one E. coli isolate was multiresistant, including the presence of resistance genes sul2, strA, strB, tetA and tetB. The presence of coliforms demonstrates failings in hygienic-sanitary procedures. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms causing foodborne diseases in the production line indicates persistent contamination in the production plant. Although the drying process applied to beef jerky should guarantee the safety of the final product, the presence of multiresistant pathogenic microorganisms, presenting virulence genes, should be a matter of concern. Because beef jerky is a ready-to-eat product, a failure in the production process may cause such microorganisms to pose a public health risk.

The need for cleaner sources of energy has stirred research into utilising alternate fuel sources with favourable emission and sustainability such as biodiesel. However, there are technical constraints that hinder the widespread use of some of the low cost raw materials such as pork fatty wastes. Currently available technology permits the use of lipolytic microorganisms to sustainably produce energy from fat sources; and several microorganisms and their metabolites are being investigated as potential energy sources. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterise the process of Staphylococcus xylosus mediated fermentation of pork fatty waste. We also wanted to explore the possibility of fermentation effecting a modification in the lipid carbon chain to reduce its melting point and thereby act directly on one of the main technical barriers to obtaining biodiesel from this abundant source of lipids. Pork fatty waste was obtained from slaughterhouses in southern Brazil during evisceration of the carcasses and the kidney casing of slaughtered animals was used as feedstock. Fermentation was performed in BHI broth with different concentrations of fatty waste and for different time periods which enabled evaluation of the effect of fermentation time on the melting point of swine fat. The lowest melting point was observed around 46 °C, indicating that these chemical and biological reactions can occur under milder conditions, and that such pre-treatment may further facilitate production of biodiesel from fatty animal waste.

Micro-organismos que causam doencas humanas podem contaminar os peixes no ambiente aquatico, durante a captura, manuseio e transporte. O objetivo foi isolar Vibrio parahaemolyticus e Salmonella enterica de peixes capturados no estuario da Lagoa dos Patos e artesanalmente eviscerados e limpos para o comercio. Treze desembarques foram acompanhados e 65 peixes inteiros e 65 limpos foram analisados quanto a presenca de V. parahaemolyticus e S. enterica. Os isolados foram comparados entre si atraves de rep-PCR. V. parahaemolyticusfoi isolado em uma corvina (Micropogonias furnieri)e duas tainhas(Mugil platanus) inteiras e em tres M. platanus eviscerados. S. enterica foi isolada apenas de dois linguados (Paralichthys orbignyanus) eviscerados. O mesmo perfil de bandas do V. parahaemolyticus pela rep-PCR foram observados nos peixes inteiros e eviscerados do mesmo desembarque, sugerindo falhas de processamento, o qual nao eliminou o micro-organismo da materia-prima ou nao preveniu a contaminacao cruzada. Como S. enterica nao foi isolada de peixes inteiros, presume-se que a contaminacao aconteceu por causa de falhas higienicas e sanitarias. Os resultados mostraram que os peixes da especie M. furnieri e M. platanus capturados no estuario da Lagoa dos Patos podem hospedar V. parahaemolyticus e que este micro-organismo, assim como S. enterica, tambem pode estar presente em peixes eviscerados. Este e o primeiro registro de isolamento de V. parahaemolyticus em M. furnieri.

Alimentos intensamente manipulados, como as lingüiças mistas do tipo frescal são freqüentemente responsáveis pela veiculação de enfermidades transmitidas por alimentos. Devido ao risco à saúde pública que a bactéria Listeria monocytogenes representa, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a presença de Listeria spp., em especial de L. monocytogenes, durante o processamento de lingüiças mistas do tipo frescal, em três frigoríficos com inspeção sanitária estadual, em Pelotas-RS. Para isso, analisou-se a matéria-prima utilizada no preparo da lingüiça, os equipamentos da linha de processamento e o produto final. Isolou-se Listeria spp. em 100% das 41 amostras analisadas, nos 3 estabelecimentos estudados. Dentre as diferentes espécies, L. innocua foi aquela isolada com maior freqüência, em 97,6% das amostras, seguida por L. monocytogenes em 29,3% e L. welshimeri em 24,4%. A presença destes microrganismos nas amostras analisadas, em especial no produto final, demonstra a necessidade de readequação nas práticas de limpeza e sanificação das plantas de processamento analisadas, bem como representa risco potencial de listeriose ao consumidor.

The objective of this work was to study the occurrence of Listeria species in feces and on dressed and cooled carcasses of lambs at a packing plant in Brazil. Listeria spp. were recovered on Oxford and Palcam agars. The 35 fecal samples yielded Listeria welshimeri (20%) and Listeria innocua (8.6%). The 69 carcass samples yielded L. innocua (34.8%), Listeria monocytogenes (4.3%), and Listeria ivanovii (1.5%). More Listeria spp. were recovered with two selective agars than with either agar alone.

Foram avaliadas as condições higiênico-sanitárias de lingüiças mistas do tipo frescal, provenientes de 4 frigoríficos submetidos à inspeção sanitária estadual, e comercializadas em Pelotas (RS). Os resultados obtidos foram interpretados pela legislação vigente (RDC no 12/01) e pela anterior (Portaria 451), ambas do Ministério da Saúde (Brasil). Verificou-se que 17,86% das 32 amostras estavam contaminadas com Salmonella sp e 3,57% apresentaram Coliformes fecais acima dos parâmetros permitidos pela legislação em vigor. Com a alteração da legislação, a probabilidade de se encontrar amostras de lingüiça mista frescal contaminada por Coliformes fecais passou de 23,27% para 5,6%. MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF MIXING SAUSAGES OF THE FRESCAL TYPE PRODUCED IN PELOTAS - RS Abstract The hygienic-sanitary conditions of mixing sausages of the frescal type were evaluated, proceeding from 4 slaughterhouses with state sanitary inspection and commercialized in Pelotas (RS). The results were interpreted by the current legislation or the previous one, both of the Brazilian Health Ministry, in the interpretation of the results. It was verified that, 17,86% of the 32 samples were contaminated with Salmonella sp and 3.57% presented faecal coliforms above of the parameter allowed by the current legislation. With the change of the legislation, the probability to find samples of frescal mixing sausage with countings of faecal coliforms above of the maximum limits allowed by the legislation, passed of 23,27% to 5,6%.