Microbiological evaluation of food cutting plates in farmer's markets in the city of Bacabal/MA

Abstract

Care for food security has been on the rise in recent years, establishing a series of discussions among the responsible sectors to ensure that the population does not receive products that are harmful to their health and do not present pathogenic microorganisms from their manipulation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of bacteria on cutting boards (wood, plastic and glass) used for food handling at two farmer's markets in Bacabal/ MA. 16 samples of the surfaces of these utensils were analyzed through cultivation in MacConkey agar and nutrient agar culture media; the microorganisms were identified by Enterokit B® and Gram stain test and catalase test, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was also performed with 10 drugs. The results of microbiological analysis indicated the presence of Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella spp., Serratia marcenscens and Citrobacter freundii, and the wooden cutting board displayed the greatest contamination. In relation to AST, some bacteria demonstrated resistance to oxacillin, lincomycin and cephalothin. Hygienic and sanitary aspects of the plates are not adequate, thus being tools for the transmission of pathogens. In addition, antimicrobial resistance is a concern and a public health problem, so there is a need to improve these conditions and strategies to minimize the occurrence of microorganisms.