The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of salt concentration on action of natamycin on important microorganisms in food manufacturing as this preservative has been used in immersion baths in several dairy products in the country. Strains of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were inoculated at different saline and peptone water concentrations and received natamycin treatments. These solutions were maintained at 12 °C and the behavior of the microorganisms evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 hours (T0, T1 and T2). Each microorganism was assessed in isolation as well as the association of C. albicans and E. coli. Under the conditions proposed by the research, it was possible to conclude that 0.025% natamycin has no efficacy on C. albicans inoculated at saline concentrations below 5%. The results obtained in E. coli counts suggest that natamycin may interfere with its development even at concentrations that may be considered low (0.1%) and at salinity conditions of 7.5% to 10%. The association of natamycin with sodium chloride potentiates its antimicrobial action, which can represent an economy and its use is amplified by the industries.

Pathogenic microorganisms can contaminate food through manipulation cleaning and environmental control unsatisfactory. Besides the adoption of good practice, the use of antimicrobials in food established an important step for the control of infectious diseases. In systems which there are migration from the active ingredient to the food they should be regarded only those compounds that are approved as food additives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the concentration of salt in the action of natamycin over pathogenic microorganisms since this preservative has been used in immersion baths in several dairy products in the country. Strains of Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were inoculated in different salt concentrations and in peptone water and were treated with natamycin. These solutions were maintained at temperature of 12 ° C and the behavior of microorganisms assessed at 0, 24 and 48 hours (T0, T1 and T2). Each microorganism was evaluated singly as well as the combination of C. albicans and E. coli. As proposed by the survey it was concluded that the 0.025 % natamycin has no effect on Candida albicans inoculated in salt concentrations below 5 %. The results obtained from the E. coli counts suggests that natamycin can interfere with their development even at concentrations that may be considered low (0.1 %) and saline conditions of 7.5 % to 10 %. The combination of natamycin with sodium chloride enhances its antimicrobial activity may represent the economy and its use be extended by industries.