Qualidade microbiana e parasitária de hortaliças e ambiente de cultivo e condições de saúde de horticultores em Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia

Abstract

Raw vegetables are an important vehicle for parasites and pathogenic bacteria, which come mainly from the intestines of humans and domestic animals. Microbiological and parasitological contamination may occur during production, through contact with soil or irrigation water contaminated by fecal waste, or during handling, through inadequate hygiene practices. Few studies relate the contamination of vegetables and the groups of microorganisms of the environment, being the research restricted to the place of commercialization and consumption. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the sanitary quality of vegetables with high frequency of consumption by the population of the Northeast, according to the 2008/2009 Household Budgets Survey (POF). It was selected 9 families of horticulturists who cultivated the three vegetables. Thus, a total of seven samples per horticulturist were collected, being 63 samples in total. The study period was from March 2015 to October 2016. A questionnaire was used with personal data and socioeconomic data. Samples of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L), coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum MILL), cultivation soils and irrigation water, and samples of fecal and subungual material from horticulturists were analyzed. Total coliform (CT), Escherichia coli, mold and yeast populations were counted in the vegetables, soil and water, heterotrophic bacteria (BH) in water and soil. In the parasitological research were used the method of Hoffman, Pons and Janer and the modified Rugai technique for vegetables and soil and Direct examination for water. In the physical and chemical analysis of the water, analyzes of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were performed. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Fischer's exact test and Pearson's chi-square test to identify associations between variables with significance level of 5%. Twenty-one horticulturists were interviewed, of whom 14% were between 0 and 19 years old, 43% were between 20 and 50 years old, and 43% were over 50 years old. The prevalent level of schooling was incomplete (57%) and (14%) were without schooling. It was observed that 17 (77%) of the horticulturists were parasitized by helminths or protozoa, and five (23%) were single-parasite, nine (41%) biparasite and three (14%) polyparasite. In relation to the bacteriological results, only one horticulturist (4.7%) presented values above 2.0 log CFU / hand for total coliforms and 18 (85.8%) for S. aureus. The CT population in the vegetables was higher in lettuce samples with a mean of 2.8 log CFU / g. The E. coli bacteria presented a population above that recommended by the legislation in a lettuce sample, 3.3 log CFU / g. All water samples were unsatisfactory. Most of the samples studied were positive for at least one parasitic form. CAPÍTULO 1 = Although the consumption of vegetables in Brazil is increasing, the World Health Organization still considers it to be below satisfactory. Vegetables are important sources of nutrients that play a key role in maintaining the body. However, because they are often eaten raw in salads, vegetables are an important vehicle for intestinal parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Although deteriorating microorganisms are prevalent in plant microorganisms, the occasional presence of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites in humans has been documented. Microbiological and parasitological contamination may occur during production, through contact with soil or irrigation water contaminated by fecal waste, or during handling, through inadequate hygiene practices. It should be noted that the type of production, the characteristics of each vegetable, as well as its location in relation to the soil, interfere with the degree of contamination. Food production should be based on practices that ensure that products are safe for consumers. Therefore, microbiological and parasitological evaluation are fundamental parameters in determining the quality of a food. The research of bacteria, fungi and parasites in vegetables has great relevance for public health, since it can provide information about the hygienic-sanitary situation of food, allowing the improvement of cultivation conditions and the health of the diners. CAPÍTULO 2 = The objective was to evaluate the microbiological and parasitological contamination of vegetables and their culture environment in rural communities of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia. Samples of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L), coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum MILL), cultivation soils and irrigation water were analyzed. Total coliform (CT), Escherichia coli, mold and yeast populations were counted in the vegetables, soil and water, heterotrophic bacteria (BH) in water and soil. In the parasitological research were used the method of Hoffman, Pons and Janer and the modified Rugai technique for vegetables and soil and Direct examination for water. In the physical and chemical analysis of the water, analyzes of pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were performed. Data were analyzed using the Fisher's exact test, the significance level adopted was 5% (p <0.05). The main source of water supply was cistern (55.5%). The TC population in the vegetables was higher in the lettuce samples (mean of 2.8 log CFU / g). The E. coli population was above that recommended by the legislation in a lettuce sample, 3.3 log CFU / g. In the soil samples the largest population was CT (mean of 3.7 to 4.9 log CFU / g). All water samples presented unsatisfactory conditions. Most of the samples studied were positive for at least one parasitic form. This study demonstrated the low hygienic-sanitary quality of vegetables commercialized in the city of Santo Antônio de Jesus, as well as the water used in irrigation and the soil where the vegetables are cultivated. CAPÍTULO 3 = The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of bacteria and parasites in hands and the health and hygiene conditions of horticulturists in rural communities of the municipality of Santo Antonio de Jesus, Bahia. The collection period was from August to October 2015. A questionnaire was used with personal data and socioeconomic data and collection of fecal and subungual material. Parasitological analyzes of the fecal and subungual material and bacteriological analyzes of the subungueal material were carried out. Statistical analysis was based on Pearson's chi-square test. The level of significance was 5% (p <0.05). Twenty-one horticulturists were interviewed, of which 62% were male and 38% female. The prevalent age range ranged from 20 to greater than 50 years (86%). It was found that 17 (77%) of horticulturists were parasitized by helminths or protozoa. Regarding the bacteriological results, only one horticulturist (4.7%) presented values of 2.0 log CFU / hand for total coliforms and 18 (85.8%) for S. aureus. It is suggested the implementation of training programs in personal hygiene and safe handling for horticulturists and annual monitoring of the intestinal parasitoses indexes by the official bodies contributing to the improvement of the sanitary education of these professionals.