Microbiological quality of powdered shrimp

Abstract

In order to analyze the microbiological quality of shrimp powder marketed in municipalities in southwestern Bahia, 15 samples from three distinct brands were collected and microbiological analyses were performed for Salmonella spp., coliforms and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. All samples analyzed were contaminated with total coliforms and thermotolerant, with counts above 10 2 CFU.g-1. Only sample C1 was contaminated with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, presenting values of 4.60 x 10 5 UFC.g-1 , above the maximum value (5 x10 2 CFU.g-1), tolerated by Brazilian food safety standards. In qualitative tests for Salmonella spp., all samples were positive for this pathogenic bacterium. Given the results found, it was observed that powdered shrimps marketed in the municipalities of southwestern Bahia have low quality and unsatisfactory hygienic-sanitary conditions, and consumer health can be considered at risk.