AVALIAÇÃO DA CONTAMINAÇÃO MICROBIOLÓGICA DA SUPERFÍCIE DE CARRINHOS DE SUPERMERCADOS DE JUAZEIRO DO NORTE CE

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Microorganisms influence human health in several ways, being one of the main agents of infections in the environment, this transmission can occur through direct interpersonal contact and through contaminated objects. The objective of the study was to carry out an evaluation of the microbiological contamination of the surface of supermarket carts in Juazeiro do Norte. 03 samples were collected in each affection (bar, basket, protector), in three large supermarkets, with a swab soaked in saline solution, these samples were sown in BHI medium and incubated for 24 h in an oven at 37º C, then it was GRAM staining was performed on the isolated strains, and GRAM + were sown on BLOOD agar, GRAM – on EMB agar to obtain pure cultures, and fungi on Sabouraud agar for Macroculture and Microculture. Then, the identification of the isolated strains was carried out through the tests of CATALASE, COAGULASE AND MANNITOL for the GRAM +, and OXIDASE, CITRATE, UREA, PHENYL, MIO and TSI for the GRAM -. An antibiogram was performed for the isolated species. 100% of the analyzed samples were positive for pathogenic bacteria, with the main agents identified being coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Shigella sp, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica and salmonella sp, in addition to yeast-like fungi. As for the antibiogram, negative Staphylococcus coagulase proved to be resistant to all antibiotics tested. Contamination of the surface of supermarket carts can represent a risk, both due to direct contact between the consumer and the cart, as well as the food transported in it.

Keywords: Supermarket carts; Microorganisms; Contamination.