Contaminant microbiota in commercial fermented dairy beverages

Abstract

Lately, the acceptability of fermented dairy beverages has been increased, due to the nutritional benefits, the practical consumption and the low cost of product for the manufacturers, and consequently for final market price to the consumers. During the manufacturing process, these products can be susceptible to microbiological contamination. The present study investigated the contaminant microbiota in fermented dairy beverages produced by small- and medium-sized companies, by means of analyses on moulds and yeasts counting, determination of the Most Probable Number (MPN) of total and thermo tolerant coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. detection, and determination of pH value. In spite of the absence of Salmonella spp., a high counts of yeasts and moulds were found, and E. coli was detected in five samples (16.67 %); and the sample were classified as “products in poor sanitary conditions”, because they showed thermo-tolerant coliforms counting higher than the standard established by the legislation in force. Therefore, quality programs such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) should be employed to prevent any contamination risk, in order to provide safe products to consumers.