Quantificação de Salmonella spp. em peixes nativos redondos de pisciculturas em Mato Grosso : um estudo piloto

Abstract

Salmonella spp. is one of the main causative agents of food-borne diseases worldwide, with a significant impact on public health and the food industry. Salmonella contamination in farmed fish has been a health concern in the native fish production chain in Brazil. The aim of this pilot study was to quantify Salmonella spp. in two native fish farms (A and B) in the Baixada Cuiabana region, in the state of Mato Grosso. The Most Probable Number (MPN) technique was used on 12 fish specimens and a 1 l water sample from each pond, and at fish farm A, blood samples, pond sediment/soil, fish feed and animal feces were also collected. Each of these analysis units was evaluated in a pool by property. Of the 14 resulting samples, 12 (85.7%) were positive for Salmonella spp. At Fish Farm A the quantification was 1.58 MPN in wash/scales, 5.26 MPN in gills, 0.74 MPN in muscle, 1.12 MPN in viscera and 0.31 MPN in rearing water. In fish farm B, the results were 0.74 MPN in wash/scales and 0.31 MPN in muscle. The fish farms have similar rearing systems and gaps in biosecurity management, which could be observed in this study, and are equally prone to contamination by Salmonella spp. At the fish farm, the highest population density detected was in the gills, showing that in the processing of these fish, the stage of removing these parts is a critical point in processing. Preventive and control measures with the implementation of GMP and OSP in the production, processing and handling of native round fish are essential to mitigate the risks of contamination. The reception of the fish is a critical control point, and it is recommended that the gills and scales are removed before entering the slaughterhouse to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, physically separating the dirty area from the clean area.