MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY EVALUATION OF GAME BIRDS

Abstract

The microbiological quality of thirty samples o f game birds (Zenaidura auriculata naronha, Gray), being sold at free markets in João Pessoa - PB Brazil was studied. The results indicated the presence of total coliforms in 93% of the samples analysed and the most probable number (MPN) revealed counts greater than 104/g for 13% of the samples. 1n 43% of the samples the MPN for fecal coliform was superior to 10²/g and 53% of these contamined samples accounted for the presence of Escherichia coli types I and II. The faecal Streptococcus was found in 100% of the samples and the MPN were greater than 103/g in 77% of these. The count of mesophile microorganisms was superior to 103_CFU/g of the samples analysed. The presence of coagulase positive Staohylococcus and Salmonella was, respectively reported, in 70 and 67% of the samples surveyed. All the samples were contaminated with filamentous fungi and yeast with counts greater than 10⁷CFU/g. The above results indicated that, due to unclean and improper sanitary conditions during handling and marketing, this product is inadequate and could be hazardous, from a public health viewpoint, when used for human consumption.