Análisis microbiológico del agua de coco (Cocos nucifera L.) vendida por vendedores ambulantes en Sobral/CE, Brasil

Resumen

Green coconut water is rich in nutrients and widely consumed in the world. However, the consumption of coconut water for good food production practices harms the health of the consumer. The objective of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality of coconut water marketed by camels from Sobral - Ceará. Samples of fresh coconut water were collected bimonthly at four different points (named A, B, C and D) for 12 months (n=24). The samples were characterized by the quantification of total coliforms (TC), thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) and mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB). The Most Provable Number (MPN) and Pour Plate techniques were applied for the quantification of TC and TTC, and mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), respectively. All the samples presented contamination by TC, TTC and MAB. TC-MPN varied from 4.97x10⁴ MPN/mL to 1.18x10⁵ MPN/mL and TTC-MPN varied from 8.39x10² MPN/mL to 1.28x10³ to MPN/mL. The samples C and D presented contamination by Escherichia coli. The number of MAB varied from 3.12x10⁴ CFU/mL to 6.73x10⁴ CFU/mL. The TTC numbers are above two values allowed by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), being considered unsuitable for human consumption. Likewise, it would be necessary to adopt preventive measures and good hygiene practices in the commercialization of coconut water to improve the microbiological quality of the product and prevent risks to the health of the consumer.