Estafilococos coagulase positiva em queijos minas frescal e minas padrão comercializados em Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of coagulase positive Staphylococci (CPS) in industrialized Minas Frescal and Minas Padrão cheese samples, commercialized in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (BRAZIL). Twenty-eight (28) samples of Minas Frescal cheese and forty-four (44) samples of Minas Padrão cheese collected from local traders were evaluated. Four samples presented contamination levels above the standard set by the RDC12, on 12 January 2001 (Ministry of Health), three of Minas Frescal cheese and one of Minas Padrão cheese. The presence of CPS is worrying since these microorganisms can multiply, produce and secret toxins at levels sufficient to cause staphylococcal food poisoning, an illness transmitted by food of great importance in public health.