Analysis of the microbiological quality of yellow hake (Cynoscion acoupa) sold at farmers markets and supermarkets in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of yellow hake (Cynoscionacoupa) sold at farmers markets and supermarkets in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Sixty yellow hake samples, collected at farmers markets and supermarkets, were analyzed at the Food and Water Microbiology Laboratory of the UniversidadeEstadual do Maranhão. In samples from farmers markets, we observed the presence of coliforms at 35°C (93.33%), coliforms at 45°C (80%), and Escherichia coli (13.33%). In samples from supermarkets, we observed the presence of coliforms at 35°C (86.67%) and coliforms at 45°C (46.67%), but not E. coli. The data indicate problems in handling fish throughout the yellow hake production chain, from capture to the point of sale. For both farmers markets and supermarkets, none of the samples showed contamination by coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, Salmonella spp., Listeria sp., and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Regarding the genus Aeromonas, the most common species was Aeromonas hydrophila, found in 43 (81.13%) samples in farmers markets and supermarkets. We conclude that the samples presented unsatisfactory hygienic and sanitary conditions, presenting a potential risk of contamination of these foods available for sale.