Abstract
The presence of ants in school kitchens and canteens may pose a risk of food contamination. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of the ants as carriers of microorganisms indicating hygienic and sanitary conditions in school kitchens and canteens in the western region of Santa Catarina. Ten samples were collected with up to ten ants in the kitchen and canteen environments in nine urban schools. The ants were evaluated using microbiological analyses regarding Staphylococcus aureus, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms/Escherichia coli. Twenty ant species were sampled. Four species presented counts for S. aureus, eight for aerobic mesophilic bacteria and three for total coliforms. The results evidenced the potential of ants as indicators of contamination and the risk of ants to carrier microorganisms in school environments and an important diversity occurring in indoor environments.
Highlights
The presence of ants in school environments is important because of the potential of these insects to act as carriers of pathogenic microorganisms; which has been proven in studies already realized (Costa et al 2006, Lise et al 2006, Tanaka et al 2007, Pesquero et al 2008, Silva et al 2012, Oliveira et al 2017)
There was a positive correlation between the counts of S. aureus (CFU/mL) and the number of ant species present in the samples (r = 0.7, p
The number of ant species found in this study, in the kitchen and canteen environments, is representative when compared to studies involving establishments where meals are prepared in the southern Brazil
Summary
The presence of ants in school environments is important because of the potential of these insects to act as carriers of pathogenic microorganisms; which has been proven in studies already realized (Costa et al 2006, Lise et al 2006, Tanaka et al 2007, Pesquero et al 2008, Silva et al 2012, Oliveira et al 2017). The transportation of microorganisms occurs when the ants come into contact with contaminated sites and materials and carry them adhered to their legs and body through the environment (Bueno & Campos-Farinha 1998, Costa et al 2006) Anatomical characteristics such as the occurrence of hairs on the body, length, cuticle sculpture, number of specimens, amount and distribution of the exocrine glands, among others, may explain the adhesion and survival of the microorganisms in the body of the ants (Fontana et al 2010). Due to their small size and high mobility, ants move around the environments through holes, cracks and crevices, normally traveling extensive areas in search of shelter and food (Peçanha et al 2000, Costa 2007).
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