<b>Qualidade microbiana e aspecto visual de mandioca minimamente processada</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v29i2.592

Abstract

Microbial quality and visual aspect of minimally processed cassava. The hygienic-sanitary quality of minimally processed vacuum packaged and refrigerated cassava (4-7ºC), with 4-8 days of storage was evaluated. Three representative samples from 3 different lots of cassava were obtained from retail stores in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The following microbial counts were carried out in each sample: mesophilic, psychrotrophic, lactic and sulfide-reducing bacteria, total e fecal coliforms and yeast and molds. The presence of Salmonella was also investigated. Results of counts ranged from 4.7 x 10⁶ to 6.3 x 10⁸ CFU g^-1 for mesophilic bacteria, 1.8 x 10⁷ to 6.0 x 10⁸ CFU g^-1 for psychrotrophic bacteria, 2.8 x 10⁷ to 3.8 x 10⁸ CFU g^-1 for lactic bacteria, 1.5 x 10³ to > 1.1 x 10⁶ for total coliforms, < 30 to 4.6 x 10⁴ for fecal coliforms, 2.4 x 10² to 2.5 x 10⁴ CFU g^-1 for yeasts and molds and < 10 CFU g^-1 for sulfide-reducing bacteria. Salmonella was not detected. The high counts of bacteria in the product suggest poor processing or storage practices.