Qualidade microbiológica de sucos de laranja in natura e pasteurizados, comercializados no município de Londrina - PR

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of fresh and pasteurized orange juices sold in the city of Londrina-PR. The research is justified by the importance of food safety and the increasing consumption of natural juices, which, because they do not undergo heat treatment, present a higher risk of contamination. Ten samples of orange juice (five fresh and five pasteurized) were acquired from different commercial points or street vendors and subjected to microbiological analyses prescribed by Brazilian legislation, including counts of Enterobacteriaceae, molds and yeasts, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella sp. Of the ten samples analyzed, 50% were not in accordance with the legislation, being classified as unsatisfactory products with unacceptable quality. Of the five samples of fresh orange juice analyzed, two (40%) showed Salmonella sp., while of the five samples of pasteurized orange juice analyzed, three (60%) showed mold and yeast counts above the established standard, with results ranging from 1.0 x 10² to 6.0 x 10⁵ CFU/mL. The results suggest the use of unhygienic or incorrectly sterilized fruit, a failure in the process, and/or post-processing contamination. Finally, improvements in good manufacturing practices for fresh orange juice, as well as in the monitoring of critical control points in pasteurized juices, are considered necessary to guarantee a quality product for the consumer.