Enteric viruses are present in aquatic environments due to contamination by raw sewage, even in the absence of fecal coliforms, which are considered to be significant indicators when it comes to microbial water quality assessment. This study investigated the presence of group A rotavirus (RVA) in surface water from a river basin in Minas Gerais, Brazil, assessing the influence of the urbanization, the rainfall, and the microbiological and physico-chemical parameters regarding water quality. Forty-eight surface water samples collected in urbanized and non-urbanized areas, both in dry and rainy periods, were obtained throughout the study. The viral particles were concentrated by adsorption-elution in a negatively charged membrane. Fecal coliforms, as well as physico-chemical water parameters were determined at each point in all collections. The RVA was detected in 62.5 % (30/48) of the water samples through a real-time PCR assay. All the sequenced RVA strains belonged to genotype I1. The RVA was detected in 50.0 % (11/22) of the water samples regarded as being acceptable by current microbiological standards. The presence of the RVA and the viral load were influenced by the collection area (p < 0.05). It was also observed a significant association between the RVA and detecting the turbidity of water (p < 0.05). The collected data showed a high level of contamination in this watershed by the discharge of raw sewage, highlighting the need for urgent measures to improve water quality, ensuring the safe use of this matrix.

Vernonia condensata Baker is traditionally used to treat several inflammatory and infectious processes. So, this study evaluated the antibiotic, synergistic and antibiofilm effects, and the mode of action of ethyl acetate fraction from V. condensata leaves (Vc-EAF) against Staphylococcus aureus. Five S. aureus ATCC and five methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) routine strains were used to determine Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration. The combinatory effect was evaluated by checkerboard and time kill methods; the mode of action through the bacterial cell viability and leakage of compounds absorbing at 280 nm; and the antibiofilm action by quantifying the percentage of adhesion inhibition. Vc-EAF was active against S. aureus (ATCC 6538), (ATCC 25923), (ATCC 29213), (ATCC 33591), (ATCC 33592), MRSA 1485279, 1605677, 1664534, 1688441 and 1830466, with MIC of 625 μg/mL for ATCC, and 1250, 1250, >2500, 2500 and 2500 μg/mL for MRSA, in this order, with bacteriostatic effect for both ATCC and MRSA strains. Vc-EAF plus ampicillin revealed a total synergic effect on MRSA 1485279, and Vc-EAF combined with chloramphenicol, a partial synergic action against S. aureus (ATCC 29213) and (ATCC 25923). The time kill data agreed with checkerboard results, and the treated cells number was reduced with release of bacterial content. An expressive bacterial adhesion inhibition for S. aureus (ATCC 25923) and MRSA 1485279 was detected. These results showed that V. condensata is a promising natural source of active substances against S. aureus, including multiresistant strains, interfering with their antibacterial growth and hampering their adhesion to surfaces.

Samples from ten brands of floral honey produced in different cities of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil were analyzed for their physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. The studied parameters were humidity, reducing sugars, apparent saccharose, insoluble solids, ashes, total acidity, diastatic activity, content of hydroxymethylfurfural, counting of filamentous fungi and yeasts, sulfite-reducing Clostridia, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp. and Salmonella spp. detection, and numeration of total coliforms and Escherichia coli. All of these analyses followed official methodology. The physicochemical analyses indicated that a fraction of 60% (6/10) of evaluated brands were in disagreement with Brazilian legislation in, at least, one of analyzed parameters. Respecting to microbiological results, it was verified the presence of filamentous fungi and yeasts in five brands of honey, total coliforms and E. coli in two brands, and absence of any other microorganisms in all evaluated brands. Simultaneous presence of filamentous fungi and yeasts with total coliforms and E. coli was observed in one sample. The obtained results demonstrate that not all honey samples were in accordance to Brazilian legislation, and the presence of deteriorative and pathogenic microorganisms indicated a possible decrease in the product quality, and a potential risk to consumer.

Goat milk and its derivatives present proven beneficial health properties; however, some sensory aspects associated to consumers' expectations restrict the consumption growth for these products. In this work, fermented caprine milk formulations have been evaluated utilizing the methodology of Discourse of the Collective Subject (Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo -DSC) associated to sensory analysis, in order to evaluate the perception of fermented caprine milk by consumers. The physicochemical and microbiological requisites of the fermented milk formulations evaluated during the storage, were according to current legislation. The probiotic characteristics of evaluated formulations were preserved, presenting viable cells counts for Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium BB-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus higher than 1x10 6 CFU/mL, along 28 days of storage. The Discourse of the Collective Subject results have shown that the typical taste and flavor, present in products derived from caprine milk, did not influence the purchase intention, which was expressive for all fermented milks. The Discourse of the Collective Subject has elucidated the consumers' perspective, determining then both, the consumers' profile and the factors interfering on the acquisition of fermented caprine milk.

No cenário econômico global, os probióticos têm sido responsáveis por uma expressiva movimentação financeira, e com crescimento progressivo esperado para os próximos anos. Busca-se cada vez mais otimizar a produção de culturas microbianas desidratadas, o que torna necessário o conhecimento sobre as técnicas disponíveis e já estudadas. O microencapsulamento se destaca por viabilizar a desidratação de microrganismos, de forma a proteger as células dos efeitos negativos da secagem. O objetivo deste artigo foi compilar dados da literatura sobre o microencapsulamento de probióticos, os principais agentes encapsulantes e métodos já estudados, com foco na secagem por atomização. Pode-se concluir com os trabalhos citados, que a estabilidade e viabilidade das culturas produzidas têm íntima relação com o agente encapsulante e o método utilizado para o microencapsulamento. Todavia, faz-se necessário a realização de mais pesquisas que tentem explicar o efeito protetor das condições utilizadas, de forma a direcionar para técnicas otimizadas na produção de culturas probióticas que sejam adequadas ao uso industrial.