Evaluation of the microbiological quality of cupuaçu pulps (Theobroma grandiflorum schum) marketed in the municipality of Guaraí/TO

Abstract

The cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma grandiflorum Schum) is a plant species belonging to the family of Sterculiaceas, of Amazonian origin, often found in the South and Southeast of the Eastern Amazon and in the Northwest of the State of Maranhão. The pulp of cupuaçu is intensely consumed by the Brazilian population for the production of food. Extraction of the pulp in a handcrafted way usually occurs without any specific treatment, with the aid of scissors. This pulping practice increases the chances of contamination by foodborne microorganisms and / or human pathogens that can cause numerous foodborne diseases (DTAs). The objective of the present work is to express the results of the analysis of coliforms, thermotolerant and Escherichia coli in cupuaçu pulps marketed by establishments in the municipality of Guaraí / TO, using the Most Probable Number (NMP) methodology in a series of 10 tubes , considering that there are no works with this purpose carried out in the Municipality. In general, the results found in the study indicate that most of the lots collected for the research did not present contamination by Coliforms, presence of Thermotolerantes and Escherichia coli, and that only 1 batch presented results outside those established by RDC No. 12 of 2 January 2001, which was probably due to the breaking of the packaging. In this way, it is concluded that it is necessary to carry out inspections in commercial environments to attest to the conditions of storage and handling of these pulps in the municipality, as well as the awareness of the risks of food contamination due to inadequate practices performed in these establishments.