Hygienic-sanitary Conditions of Fish Markets Commercialized in the Municipality of Maceió – Alagoas

Abstract

Introduction: The search for a healthier diet has led to a worldwide increase in fish consumption in recent years. This also brought a growth of diseases transmitted by this type of food, when outside the quality standards and poor hygienic-sanitary conditions of the establishments in which they are sold. This study aims to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary conditions of fish commercialized in the city of Maceio – Alagoas, contributing to define a microbiological profile of this product. Methodology: Fish samples from six commercial points were collected from commercial establishments, with two replicates at different periods, totaling 12 samples. Microbiological analyzes were performed for total and thermotolerant coliforms, Salmonella spp and Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase-positive), following methodology according to the legislation. . Results and Discussion: Turbidity and gas production were observed in 75% of the total coliform samples and 66.66% of positivity for the samples in the EC tubes, indicating the presence of thermotolerant coliforms. Salmonella spp was absent in all samples. In the Staphylococcus aureus analyzes, only one sample (8.33%) was uncontaminated by this microorganism, however, 91.67% of the samples were contaminated. Conclusion: The sum of these results suggests possible fecal contamination, evidencing unsatisfactory hygienic-sanitary conditions of manipulation of the fish commercialized in the evaluated establishments of the city of Maceio-AL.