Avaliação da qualidade de amostras de erva-doce-nacional (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) e camomila (Matricaria recutita L./ Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauscher) comercializadas em Toledo - Paraná

Abstract

Teas are beverages consumed worldwide, being extremely important to ensure the quality of these products ensuring the health of the consumer population. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of fennel or national fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) And chamomile (Matricaria recutita L. / Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauscher) teas sold commercially in supermarkets and health food stores located in the city of Toledo in western Paraná. Nine samples of fennel or fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) And nine chamomile samples (Matricaria recutita L./Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauscher) were analyzed. The physicochemical analyzes were: humidity, total ash, acid insoluble ash, heavy metals and sensory characteristics. Microbiological analyzes were performed to detect Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, coliform counts at 45 ° C, total fungi and aerobic bacteria counts. In addition, the presence of foreign material (macroscopic and microscopic) and labeling evaluation were detected. Regarding the physical chemical tests, two samples with moisture content, two with total ash content and one with insoluble ash above the allowed limit were found. All samples presented satisfactory results in the evaluation of sensory characteristics. All samples complied with the metal analyzes. In the evaluation of microbiological contaminants two results were found above the legislation for coliform counting at 45 ° C, eight for S. aureus and five for total fungal counting. The presence of foreign material was detected above the allowed in four samples and the evaluation of the labeling showed the non-conformity in fourteen of the analyzed samples. Given the results obtained it was possible to evidence samples that obtained important results regarding the lack of quality control. These results are very worrying, because the consumption of these products has been increasing and may cause damage to consumers. Given this, an efficient quality control developed by the trading companies and a more effective supervision by the competent agencies involved is extremely important.