No abstract

The aim of study is to feature the microbiological quality of two neotropical fish species from the quilombola area of Maranhão State, Brazil. In order to do so, 21 samples of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus and 21 samples of Cichlasoma bimaculatum were captured in flooded environment. Collected fish were euthanized in laboratory environment; muscle fragments were removed for microbiological analyses focused on enumerating molds and yeasts, viable strict and facultative mesophilic microorganisms and coagulase-positive staphylococci; on counting total and thermotolerant coliforms; and on investigating Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. Microbiological results were compared to the Brazilian legislation, which establishes the list of microbiological standards for food products. Among the assessed fish, 9.52% were classified as non-acceptable for human consumption, based on the Salmonella parameter. Enumerated coagulase-positive staphylococci ranged from < 10 to 3.9 x 104 CFU/g; 9.52% of assessed fish were classified as having intermediate standard for human consumption, whereas 4.76% were classified as non-acceptable for such a purpose. E. coli counting ranged from 3.6 to > 1,100MPN/g; 4.76% of assessed fish were classified as having intermediate standard for human consumption, whereas 4.76% were classified as non-acceptable for such a purpose. Total and thermotolerant coliforms’ counting and the enumeration of viable strict and facultative aerobic microorganisms, as well as of molds and yeasts, have evidenced high microbial population rates; this finding suggests poor hygienic conditions at capture site, contaminated raw material and risk of incidence of enteropathogens. This finding has evidenced imbalance in the investigated environment, as well as compromised aquatic biodiversity.