Microbial load can be controlled using either synthetic or natural preservatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils as safer additives for meat. However, there is no published research on the use of essential oils during the meat drying process. This study was focused on enhancing the meat drying process. At first a value-added dried meat product by using oregano essential oil (OEO) to inhibit the growth of bacteria, and the sensorial response from assessors is presented. It was found that the application of the OEO in meat is effective in inhibiting Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli. After 6 hours of drying at 55°C, 2 ml (0.038 ml l-1 air) and 1.5 ml (0.028 ml l-1 air) of OEO were considered the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against S. enteritidis and E. coli, respectively. Samples treated with 0.75 ml of OEO were more attractive for consumption compared with the control; at a higher concentration of OEO, the sensory quality of the food was affected. Next, the effect of modified blanching treatments on the drying behaviour of beef meat was evaluated by determining moisture ratio versus time curves and the influence on sensory quality of the resulted product. The 3 treatments under investigation were (1) oil treatment (2) steam blanching and (3) hot air blanching with 3 doses of oregano essential oil (1) 1.5 ml (2) 3 ml and (3) 6 ml. Each treatment had an effect on the drying time of the beef samples, however, the dose of oregano essential oil applied did not affect the drying process. The results showed that steam blanching was very effective reducing the drying time. Meanwhile, 1.5 ml and 3 ml hot air blanching samples and 1.5 ml oil treatment samples were judged as better from sensory point of view and the respondents considered that adding oregano essential oil enriched the pleasantness of the smell. In conclusion, a value-added dried meat product obtained by using oregano essential oil to enhance food safety received an acceptable sensorial response from consumers. Additionally, each modified blanching treatment tested influences the drying kinetics process, but the dose of oregano applied did not affect the drying process. In this sense, hot air blanching and oil treatment with the lowest dose had an acceptable sensorial response from consumers.

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality and microbial load of blueberries at different maturity stages, to develop the effective microbial recovery method and to compare sanitation postharvest treatments on microbial counts of blueberries. The soluble solids and the sugar to acid ratio increased, while pH and TA decreased with maturity. Ripe berries had lower yeast and mold counts (YMC) at other maturity stages, but there were no differences on aerobic plate counts (APC). The medium pH was lower for stomaching and blending than hand massaged samples. This leads to higher recovery of microorganisms by massaging. Sodium hypochlorite at 400 ppm was effective in reducing APC but not YMC. Acidified sodium chloride was very effective, lowering APC and YMC below detectable level. All sanitation treatment did not influence sensory attributes of blueberries.

O insucesso nos procedimentos cirúrgicos ortopédicos em razão de infecção pode levar a consequências desastrosas como a osteomielite e a perda de próteses implantadas. A infecção hospitalar é um desfecho de causa multifatorial, na qual a esterilização segura do instrumental cirúrgico ocupa uma posição de extrema importância. Não se sabe até o momento quais os reais desafios microbiológicos que a Central de Material e Esterilização (CME) vem enfrentando ao reprocessar a diversidade dos materiais utilizados nos procedimentos cirúrgicos. Micro-organismos com capacidade para esporular estão presentes em quantidade e frequência significativa? Sabe-se que estes se constituem como desafio mensurável na prática da esterilização, fazendo parte de indicadores biológicos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar e analisar a carga microbiana recuperada do instrumental cirúrgico, após uso em cirurgias ortopédicas, quantificando e identificando o gênero e a espécie do crescimento de bactérias e fungos. A investigação caracterizou-se como uma pesquisa exploratória, de campo e transversal com abordagem quantitativa. As amostras foram coletadas no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (IOT) do Hospital das Clínicas (HC) da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), com técnica asséptica, depositando-as individualmente em um saco plástico previamente esterilizado, adicionando 500 mL de água de injeção. Para obtenção da carga microbiana, o instrumental foi sonicado em lavadora ultrassônica (US) por três sessões de 5 segundos cada e, consecutivamente, agitado por 5 minutos para complementar a extração da carga microbiana potencialmente presente na superfície dos materiais (externa e internamente). Em seguida, os lavados foram divididos em três partes iguais e submetidos à filtração em filtro Millipore® de 0,45 µm. Cada membrana foi cultivada em meio apropriado para o crescimento aeróbio, anaeróbio e fungos/leveduras. Para a identificação dos micro-organismos, foram utilizados kits e testes de identificação utilizados na rotina laboratorial de microbiologia clínica. Os resultados demonstraram que os três diferentes potenciais de contaminação apresentaram crescimento microbiano. Nas cirurgias limpas, 47% do instrumental estavam contaminados e o micro-organismo mais prevalente foi o Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (28%), seguido do Bacillus subtilis (11%). Nas cirurgias contaminadas e infectadas, houve um crescimento, de aproximadamente, 70% e 80%, respectivamente nos instrumentos, sendo maior o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (respectivamente, 32% e 29%) e Staphylococcus aureus (respectivamente, 28% e 43%). Considerando que os gêneros Bacillus e o Clostridium são capazes de esporularem, concluiu-se que a CME enfrenta um desafio ao precisar eliminar micro-organismos capazes de esporular, em uma densidade 102 UFC, menor que a dos indicadores biológicos e, aproximadamente, 78% dos micro-organismos recuperados foram bactérias vegetativas com sua curva de morte em torno de 80 ºC / The failure in orthopedic surgical procedures due to infection can lead to devastating consequences such as the loss of implanted prostheses. Hospital infection is an outcome with a multifactorial cause, in which the safe sterilization of the surgical instruments has an extremely important role. To date, it is not known what microbiological challenges the Material and Sterilization Center (MSC) has been facing when reprocessing the variety of materials used during these surgical procedures. Are microorganisms with the capacity to sporulate present in significant quantity and frequency? It is known that these microorganisms constitute a measurable challenge in sterilization practice and that they are part of the biological indicators. This study aimed at measuring the microbial load recovered from surgical instruments after their use in orthopedic surgeries, quantifying and identifying the genus and species of the bacterial and fungal growth. The study was characterized as an exploratory research, field research and cross-sectional with quantitative approach. The samples were collected at the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology (IOT) of Hospital das Clínicas (HC) of the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP), using an aseptic technique, the samples were then placed in a plastic bag that had been previously sterilized with 500 mL of injection solution. To obtain the microbial load, the instruments were sonicated in an ultrasonic (US) washer for three 5-second sessions each and consecutively agitated for 5 minutes to complement the extraction of the microbial load potentially present on the surface of the materials (external and internally). Subsequently, the washed samples were fragmented in three equal parts and these were submitted to filtration in a 0.45 µm Millipore® filter. Each membrane was cultured in medium adequate for the growth of aerobic and anaerobic organisms, as well as fungi and yeasts. The identification of the microorganisms was carried out with identification kits and tests used in clinical microbiology laboratory routine. The results demonstrated that the three different contamination potentials presented microbial growth. In clean surgeries, 47% of the instruments were contaminated and the most prevalent microorganism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (28%) followed by Bacillus subtilis (11%). In contaminated and infected surgeries, a growth of approximately 70% and 80%, respectively, was identified in the instruments, with the higher growth being that of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (respectively, 32% and 29%) and Staphylococcus aureus (respectively, 28% and 43%). Considering that the Bacillus and the Clostridium genera are capable of sporulating, we concluded that the MSC faces a challenge in having to eliminate microorganisms capable of sporulating, although in a lower density than that of biological indicators (102 UFC) and, approximately, 78% of the recovered microorganisms were vegetative bacteria that presented their curve of death at around 80ºC

No Brasil, diariamente, são descartadas 2,3 toneladas de meios de cultura potencialmente contaminados com microorganismos. A resolução RDC No 306/2004 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária preconiza que os resíduos devem ser tratados antes do descarte, visando à redução da carga microbiana. Foram desenvolvidos 2 métodos para avaliar a sensibilidade e a eficiência, assim como a concentração ideal, de um agente químico (biocida) contra microorganismos contaminantes. O método de difusão com Perfurador Circular de Ágar (PCA) e o método com Perfurador Linear de Ágar (PLA) foram testados com 13 cepas de microorganismos. O biocida avaliado foi a combinação de hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO) com ácido acético (CH3COOH). A partir destes resultados, foi desenvolvido um equipamento automatizado para processar a redução da carga microbiana (SADEMC) dos meios de cultura contaminados. A redução da carga microbiana foi avaliada pelo método quantitativo da reação da transcriptase reversa com detecção em tempo real. O método PCA mostrou ser reprodutível e eficiente para medir a inibição do crescimento bacteriano de um biocida. A concentração mínima de biocida capaz de reduzir o crescimento microbiano foi de 250 ppm para a solução aquosa de NaClO a 0,25% e de 200 ppm para a de CH3COOH a 0,2%. No SADEMC, foi possível processar 4,6kg de meios de culturas em 100 litros da concentração mínima eficaz do biocida por 15 minutos, e atingir uma redução da carga microbiana de, aproximadamente, 1,4E10 unidades formadoras de colônias. Podemos concluir que o SADEMC promove uma redução de carga microbiana compatível com os níveis exigidos pela RDC No. 306; fornece biossegurança na sua manipulação e que resulta em plástico reciclável. / In Brazil, daily, 2.3 tons of potentially contaminated cultured medium with microorganisms are discarded. The RDC 306 resolution from the Brazilian National Health Department rules out that residue must be treated prior to discart in order to reduce microbial load. Two methods were developed to evaluate the sensitivity, efficiency and ideal concentration of a chemical agent (biocide) against microorganisms. The Ágar\'s Diffusion Method by Circular Perforator (PCA) and by Linear Perforator (PLA) were tested with 13 microorganism lines and the biocide composed by Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) and its combination with Acetic Acid (CH3COOH). The microbial load reduction was evaluated by the real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. From the in vitro data, an automatic equipment to process the potentially contaminated culture media (SADEMC) was developed. The PCA method was reproductive and efficient to measure the bacterial growth inhibition induced by the biocide. The minimum biocide concentration capable to reduce the microbial growth was a solution of 0.25% NaClO (250 ppm) and 0.2% CH3COOH (200 ppm). In the SADEMC, the direct exposition of 4.6 kg of culture media in 100 liters of biocide for a period of 15 minutes is capable to reduce the microbial load in approximately 1,4E10 of colony-forming unit. We may conclude that the SADEMC is able to promote a microbial load reduction more intense than the one demanded by the RDC 306 resolution. In addition to that, the SADEMC contemplates personnel safety and allows recycling the plastic residues

O insucesso nos procedimentos cirúrgicos ortopédicos em razão de infecção pode levar a consequências desastrosas como a osteomielite e a perda de próteses implantadas. A infecção hospitalar é um desfecho de causa multifatorial, na qual a esterilização segura do instrumental cirúrgico ocupa uma posição de extrema importância. Não se sabe até o momento quais os reais desafios microbiológicos que a Central de Material e Esterilização (CME) vem enfrentando ao reprocessar a diversidade dos materiais utilizados nos procedimentos cirúrgicos. Micro-organismos com capacidade para esporular estão presentes em quantidade e frequência significativa? Sabe-se que estes se constituem como desafio mensurável na prática da esterilização, fazendo parte de indicadores biológicos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi determinar e analisar a carga microbiana recuperada do instrumental cirúrgico, após uso em cirurgias ortopédicas, quantificando e identificando o gênero e a espécie do crescimento de bactérias e fungos. A investigação caracterizou-se como uma pesquisa exploratória, de campo e transversal com abordagem quantitativa. As amostras foram coletadas no Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia (IOT) do Hospital das Clínicas (HC) da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), com técnica asséptica, depositando-as individualmente em um saco plástico previamente esterilizado, adicionando 500 mL de água de injeção. Para obtenção da carga microbiana, o instrumental foi sonicado em lavadora ultrassônica (US) por três sessões de 5 segundos cada e, consecutivamente, agitado por 5 minutos para complementar a extração da carga microbiana potencialmente presente na superfície dos materiais (externa e internamente). Em seguida, os lavados foram divididos em três partes iguais e submetidos à filtração em filtro Millipore® de 0,45 µm. Cada membrana foi cultivada em meio apropriado para o crescimento aeróbio, anaeróbio e fungos/leveduras. Para a identificação dos micro-organismos, foram utilizados kits e testes de identificação utilizados na rotina laboratorial de microbiologia clínica. Os resultados demonstraram que os três diferentes potenciais de contaminação apresentaram crescimento microbiano. Nas cirurgias limpas, 47% do instrumental estavam contaminados e o micro-organismo mais prevalente foi o Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (28%), seguido do Bacillus subtilis (11%). Nas cirurgias contaminadas e infectadas, houve um crescimento, de aproximadamente, 70% e 80%, respectivamente nos instrumentos, sendo maior o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase negativa (respectivamente, 32% e 29%) e Staphylococcus aureus (respectivamente, 28% e 43%). Considerando que os gêneros Bacillus e o Clostridium são capazes de esporularem, concluiu-se que a CME enfrenta um desafio ao precisar eliminar micro-organismos capazes de esporular, em uma densidade 102 UFC, menor que a dos indicadores biológicos e, aproximadamente, 78% dos micro-organismos recuperados foram bactérias vegetativas com sua curva de morte em torno de 80 ºC / The failure in orthopedic surgical procedures due to infection can lead to devastating consequences such as the loss of implanted prostheses. Hospital infection is an outcome with a multifactorial cause, in which the safe sterilization of the surgical instruments has an extremely important role. To date, it is not known what microbiological challenges the Material and Sterilization Center (MSC) has been facing when reprocessing the variety of materials used during these surgical procedures. Are microorganisms with the capacity to sporulate present in significant quantity and frequency? It is known that these microorganisms constitute a measurable challenge in sterilization practice and that they are part of the biological indicators. This study aimed at measuring the microbial load recovered from surgical instruments after their use in orthopedic surgeries, quantifying and identifying the genus and species of the bacterial and fungal growth. The study was characterized as an exploratory research, field research and cross-sectional with quantitative approach. The samples were collected at the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology (IOT) of Hospital das Clínicas (HC) of the School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMUSP), using an aseptic technique, the samples were then placed in a plastic bag that had been previously sterilized with 500 mL of injection solution. To obtain the microbial load, the instruments were sonicated in an ultrasonic (US) washer for three 5-second sessions each and consecutively agitated for 5 minutes to complement the extraction of the microbial load potentially present on the surface of the materials (external and internally). Subsequently, the washed samples were fragmented in three equal parts and these were submitted to filtration in a 0.45 µm Millipore® filter. Each membrane was cultured in medium adequate for the growth of aerobic and anaerobic organisms, as well as fungi and yeasts. The identification of the microorganisms was carried out with identification kits and tests used in clinical microbiology laboratory routine. The results demonstrated that the three different contamination potentials presented microbial growth. In clean surgeries, 47% of the instruments were contaminated and the most prevalent microorganism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (28%) followed by Bacillus subtilis (11%). In contaminated and infected surgeries, a growth of approximately 70% and 80%, respectively, was identified in the instruments, with the higher growth being that of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (respectively, 32% and 29%) and Staphylococcus aureus (respectively, 28% and 43%). Considering that the Bacillus and the Clostridium genera are capable of sporulating, we concluded that the MSC faces a challenge in having to eliminate microorganisms capable of sporulating, although in a lower density than that of biological indicators (102 UFC) and, approximately, 78% of the recovered microorganisms were vegetative bacteria that presented their curve of death at around 80ºC

No Brasil, diariamente, são descartadas 2,3 toneladas de meios de cultura potencialmente contaminados com microorganismos. A resolução RDC No 306/2004 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária preconiza que os resíduos devem ser tratados antes do descarte, visando à redução da carga microbiana. Foram desenvolvidos 2 métodos para avaliar a sensibilidade e a eficiência, assim como a concentração ideal, de um agente químico (biocida) contra microorganismos contaminantes. O método de difusão com Perfurador Circular de Ágar (PCA) e o método com Perfurador Linear de Ágar (PLA) foram testados com 13 cepas de microorganismos. O biocida avaliado foi a combinação de hipoclorito de sódio (NaClO) com ácido acético (CH3COOH). A partir destes resultados, foi desenvolvido um equipamento automatizado para processar a redução da carga microbiana (SADEMC) dos meios de cultura contaminados. A redução da carga microbiana foi avaliada pelo método quantitativo da reação da transcriptase reversa com detecção em tempo real. O método PCA mostrou ser reprodutível e eficiente para medir a inibição do crescimento bacteriano de um biocida. A concentração mínima de biocida capaz de reduzir o crescimento microbiano foi de 250 ppm para a solução aquosa de NaClO a 0,25% e de 200 ppm para a de CH3COOH a 0,2%. No SADEMC, foi possível processar 4,6kg de meios de culturas em 100 litros da concentração mínima eficaz do biocida por 15 minutos, e atingir uma redução da carga microbiana de, aproximadamente, 1,4E10 unidades formadoras de colônias. Podemos concluir que o SADEMC promove uma redução de carga microbiana compatível com os níveis exigidos pela RDC No. 306; fornece biossegurança na sua manipulação e que resulta em plástico reciclável. / In Brazil, daily, 2.3 tons of potentially contaminated cultured medium with microorganisms are discarded. The RDC 306 resolution from the Brazilian National Health Department rules out that residue must be treated prior to discart in order to reduce microbial load. Two methods were developed to evaluate the sensitivity, efficiency and ideal concentration of a chemical agent (biocide) against microorganisms. The Ágar\'s Diffusion Method by Circular Perforator (PCA) and by Linear Perforator (PLA) were tested with 13 microorganism lines and the biocide composed by Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO) and its combination with Acetic Acid (CH3COOH). The microbial load reduction was evaluated by the real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. From the in vitro data, an automatic equipment to process the potentially contaminated culture media (SADEMC) was developed. The PCA method was reproductive and efficient to measure the bacterial growth inhibition induced by the biocide. The minimum biocide concentration capable to reduce the microbial growth was a solution of 0.25% NaClO (250 ppm) and 0.2% CH3COOH (200 ppm). In the SADEMC, the direct exposition of 4.6 kg of culture media in 100 liters of biocide for a period of 15 minutes is capable to reduce the microbial load in approximately 1,4E10 of colony-forming unit. We may conclude that the SADEMC is able to promote a microbial load reduction more intense than the one demanded by the RDC 306 resolution. In addition to that, the SADEMC contemplates personnel safety and allows recycling the plastic residues

PhDRDV / Institute for Rural Development / Throughout the world, small-scale food vending forms an integral part of society, serving as a poverty buffer and a local based economy generation strategy to optimize livelihoods. However, untrustworthiness and safety concerns have been raised regarding the food handling practices and hygiene that tend to compromise the quality of the food sold in this sector. Thus, this study was conducted in order to propose the pillars of a safety management system for small-scale vended foods in Thulamela Municipality in South Africa. The pillars were proposed after assessing the level of small-scale food vendors’ knowledge, attitude and handling practices. Complementary, the microbiological quality of the commonly consumed small-scale vended foods was determined. A survey-underpinned exploratory sequentially integrated mixed methods research design was adopted. Fifty-four respondents participated in a qualitative study via administering a semistructured interview guide to key informants and focus groups. Correspondingly, quantitative data were collected through a 5-point Likert questionnaire, administered to 136 small-scale food vendors and 272 customers. An observation checklist was used to collect data on 124 food stalls focusing on food handling practices. Microbial loads were determined through analysing 28 food samples collected from seven informal food markets. Qualitative data were analysed using ATLAS. ti version 8.0. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 was used to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate frequencies and mean scores. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (r) was used to determine the degree of correlation among variables. Principal Component Analysis was used to isolate and deepen understanding of the main factors determining the knowledge and attitude towards food safety. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was used to identify two cluster solutions for food handling practices. Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to determine the relative stability of the generated two cluster solutions. Ordinal Least Square regression analysis was conducted to identify the variables which were critical in defining the state of food handling practices dynamics in the study area and their relationship with other variables. Data on the microbial counts were subjected to the Analysis of Variance. Duncan’s multiple range test was used to separate means while T-test was conducted to establish if there was any difference between organisms isolated for each food type from Thohoyandou and Sibasa markets. In general, food vendors were knowledgeable about personal (x̄ = 1.77) and food (x̄ = 1.75) hygiene respectively. However, they rarely considered knowledge of foodborne diseases and rules and regulations as crucial in defining the quality and safety of small-scale vended foods. Respondents reflected positive attitude towards personal hygiene (x̄ = 3.21), food hygiene (x̄ = 3.55) and utensils management (x̄ = 3.43). The highest correlation relations between variables of roadside vendors’ knowledge of food safety were observed to be between “Staphylococcus as a germ that causes foodborne diseases” and “Hepatitis A virus that can cause foodborne disease” (P < 0.01). From thirty-six factors that determined the knowledge and attitude towards food safety, the Principal Component Analysis isolated eight components that accounted for 50 % of the variability. Similarly, customers were knowledgeable about food hygiene (x̄ = 1.88) personal hygiene (x̄ = 1.86). They also showed positive attitude towards personal (x̄ = 3.66) hygiene, food (x̄ = 3.72) hygiene and utensils management (x̄ = 3.56). From thirty-six factors that determined the knowledge and attitude towards food safety, the Principal Component Analysis isolated ten components that accounted for 60. % of the variability. The results revealed the six major determinants of the state of handling practices in Thulamela Municipality. These were stalls conditions, personal hygiene, environmental and waste management, hygiene-related behaviour, food storage and utensils management. The most significant variables defining the state of food handling practices were protective clothing (P < 0.05) and stalls conditions (P < 0.05). The microbial counts (log10 cfu/g) of food samples ranged from 2.0 ± 2.08 to numerous to count for total plate count, 2.0 ± 1.00 to 6.6 ± 7.57 for Salmonella spp, 2.0 ± 2.64 to 3.9 ± 6.03 for S. aureus, 2.1 ± 1.73 to numerous to count for yeast, 2.0 ± 0.00 to 3.8 ± 10.00 for coliform bacteria and 2.0 ± 1.15 to 4.9 ± 21.66 for B. aureus. Coliform bacteria and B. cereus were not found in foods sold at Thohoyandou markets while mould was not detected in foods collected at both locations. Total plate count differed significantly (P < 0.05) between salads and chicken stews. Salmonella spp, significantly differed (P < 0.05) between salads and beef stews. For S. aureus, a significant difference was found in salads (P < 0.05). For yeast, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between salads and beef stews. The main objective of this study was to propose the pillars of a safety management for small-scale vended foods. Thus, the major components of pillars proposed were encored on hygiene (personal, food and handling practices), training programme, environmental management, infrastructure development and law enforcement. The training programme was scored as number one by the majority of food vendors (x̄ = 4.7) whilst personal hygiene was ranked first by the customers (x̄ = 4.8). The results of the study revealed the urgent need for basic training in food and personal hygiene throughout the value chain. Infrastructure development such as a decent food stalls with adequate working space, proper washing and storage facilities to improve food safety and hygienic practices was highlighted. Adequate access to waste-water and food disposal facilities aligned to vending spaces was also considered crucial. Thus, it is recommended that Thulamela Municipality should provide extensive training programme to ensure that proper hygiene practices are in place. Suitable regulations must be crafted to ensure that safe and secure foods are sold. Lastly, Thulamela Municipality should consider providing all vending stalls with basic infrastructure to close the gap between knowledge and practices of safe small-scale food vending. / NRF