The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxins in fish feeds. We analyzed 36 samples of feed for fish, with two protein compositions (juvenile/fattening) and two forms of use (sealed/open). Aspergillus and Penicillium species were counted, isolated and identified, the toxic capacity of Flavi strains was measured and aflatoxins in the feed were researched. The mean fungal counts ranged from 2.96 to 4.00 log10 CFU/g and there was no significant difference between treatments. The most isolated species were Aspergillus flavus, Eurotion spp. and Penicillium implicatum. We concluded that the feeds studied had high fungal counts; the isolated Aspergillus flavus strains were not producers of aflatoxin; and aflatoxin was not detected in the feed samples analyzed

ABSTRACT:The present work describes the antibacterial activity of the essential oil and the ethanol extract from leaves of Alpinia zerumbet (colônia) on Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cows with subclinical mastitis and standard strains ATCC 29213 and ATCC 25923, using the agar diffusion method. Ten treatments containing different concentrations of essential oil and ethanol extract (100.0; 50.0; 25.0; 12.5 and 6.3 mg.mL ) and the control group (50% ethyl alcohol and 1% Tween solutions) were used for antimicrobial testing. The major constituents of the essential oil were p-cimeno (32.72%), 1.8-cineol (24.05%) and 4-terpineol (20.23%), which were determined by gas chromatographymass spectrometry and gas chromatography -flame ionization detector (CG-MS/FID). Ellagic acid and three flavonoids (rutin, quercetin and campferol) were detected in the ethanol extract by means of high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). All strains showed sensitivity to the treatments with essential oil and the ethanol extract. The best response was obtained with A. zerumbet essential oil at a 100 mg.mL ) e o grupo controle (álcool etílico a 50% e Tween a 1%). Os constituintes majoritários do óleo essencial foram p-cimeno (32,72%), 1,8-cineol (24,05%) e 4-terpineol (20,23%), sendo esses determinados por cromatografia a gás acoplada a espectrometria de massas e cromatografia a gás com detector de ionização de chama (CG-EM/DIC). No extrato etanólico foi detectado o ácido elágico e três flavonoides: rutina, quercetina e campferol, por meio de cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência acoplada a detector de arranjo de diodo (CLAE-DAD). Todas as cepas apresentaram sensibilidade aos tratamentos com óleo essencial e extrato etanólico. A melhor resposta foi obtida com o óleo essencial de A. zerumbet que, na concentração de 100 mg.mL -1 proporcionou inibição total do crescimento bacteriano. Esses resultados sugerem o potencial antibacteriano do óleo essencial e do extrato etanólico de A. zerumbet no controle da mastite bovina. Composição química e eficácia do óleo essencial e do extrato etanólico de Alpinia zerumbet sobre Staphylococcus aureus PALAVRAS-CHAVE:

Development of a quality index scheme and shelf-life study for whole tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) ABSTRACTThe study developed a sensory scheme based on the Quality Index (QI) and estimated the shelf-life for whole tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818), stored in ice, assessing and determining the most appropriate chemical, physical, bacteriological and quality sensory parameters and their changes during storage time. Ninety six fish were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19 and 22 days of ice-storage. The developed quality index (QI) showed four main quality attributes with a total of 29 demerit scores. The skin mucus and odor, as well as general appearance and ventral elasticity had a great importance for the statistical model applied, while eyes, gills mucus and dorsal elasticity showed lower significance for tambaqui QI. The pH showed few variations during the ice storage. The nitrogen bases, as well as the total count of specific spoilage bacteria, had a linear correlation with the storage time. The QI proved to be efficient to assess tambaqui quality and loss of sensory quality over the storage period. The results suggest that whole, ice-stored Colossoma macropomum is fit for consumption until the 22 nd day.

Freshness is the main concern of seafood quality, and the principal method to evaluate seafood freshness is sensory evaluation. The aim of this work was to study the quality changes of cobia, Rachycentron canadum, under ice storage through sensory and physical analysis as well as bacterial counting of specific spoilage organisms (SSOs). In particular, the utilization of a quality index method (QIM) scheme was proposed. Samples stored for 0–30 d were analyzed with the QIM. Ten panelists observed and registered the changes occurring in the fish starting on day zero and ending when the fish were spoiled. After developing the scheme, 11 sensory attributes were described in 23 points, which detailed the appearance of skin, eyes, abdomen, gills, and flesh deterioration. The volatile nitrogen compound measurements and microbiological data of the SSOs determined a shelf‐life of 19 d for the samples. Sensory analysis showed a rejection point at 15.67 d of ice storage. The natural degradation of myofibrillar proteins and collagen was observed during ice storage. In conclusion, a shelf‐life of 15 d was defined for raw cobia stored on ice.

RESUMO Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de fungos e de aflatoxinas em um produto à base de milho, destinado ao consumo humano na Cidade de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. Foram utilizadas 30 amostras (500 g) de farinha de milho a partir de seis diferentes marcas vendidas em supermercados dessa cidade. A coleta foi realizada entre janeiro e março de 2009. A avaliação micológica foi realizada imediatamente e, em seguida, foram armazenadas a -4º C, alíquotas para, posteriormente, ser realizada a análise de aflatoxinas. As contagens fúngicas variaram entre 2,42 e 4,10 UFC/g. Não houve diferença significativa a p < 0,05 entre as marcas utilizadas. As principais espécies de Aspergillus isoladas foram: A. flavus (32,73 %), A. oryzae ( 14,54%). A. niger agregado (10,91%), A. parasiticus (5,45%), A. fumigatus (5,45%) e A. carbonarius (1,81%), já as de Penicillium foram P. citrinum (28,88%), P. funiculosum (25,67%) e P. verrucosum (16,22%). Não foi detectada a presença de aflatoxina. Conclui-se que espécies fúngicas potencialmente capazes de produzir micotoxinas como Aspergillus e Penicillium são encontradas em farinha de milho, porém, não foi detectada a presença de aflatoxinas nesse produto utilizado para alimentação humana.

The detection of mycotoxins in feeds and their ingredients in aquaculture gained prominence due to losses caused in production and animal health, mainly the occurrence of aflatoxin (AFB 1 ). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AFB 1 on the performance of tambaqui fingerlings (Colossoma macropomum). Four hundred tambaqui were used. Four different treatments were evaluated: treatment T1, considered as the control treatment (CT) with 3.84 lg kg -1 ; treatment T2, treatment T3 and treatment T4 with 500, 1000 and 2000 lg kg -1 of AFB 1 , respectively. The AFB 1 of the samples (muscle, liver and kidney) was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Four fingerlings from each treatment for histological analysis were examined. Moreover, the performance parameters (weight gain, feed conversion and feed intake) were studied. The levels of toxins used in T2, T3 and T4 represent a reduction in the growth of 14%, 35% and 45%, respectively. The T3 and T4 showed the lowest weight gain (78%) and the worst feed conversion. Aflatoxin B 1 in muscle (3.28 lg kg -1 ) and kidneys (8.8 lg kg -1 ) in the T3, as well as liver (4.4 lg kg -1 ) and kidney (4.08 lg kg -1 ) in T4, was detected. Histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues of fingerlings were more pronounced in T3 and T4. Fingerlings that consume feed contaminated with AFB 1 in concentrations higher than 500 lg kg -1 present decreases in growth, reduction in weight gain and feed intake with increased feed conversion. The consumption of feed contaminated with 1000 and 2000 lg kg -1 of AFB 1 caused severe deterioration in the hepatic and renal tissues.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus pode causar vibriose em camarão cultivado e também gastrenterites no consumidor. Neste trabalho foram verificadas as condições higiênico-sanitárias em camarões (Litopenaeus vannamei) e na água de viveiros de carcinicultura no litoral piauiense quanto a V. parahaemolyticus. Foram coletadas 148 amostras de água e 72 amostras de camarão em três fases de cultivo: pós-larva, juvenil e engorda em quatro propriedades. Foram transferidos 25g de cada amostra para frasco contendo 225mL de água peptonada com 3% de sal para o preparo da diluição 10-1, a partir dessa foram preparadas as diluições 10-2 e 10-3. Para o teste presuntivo, alíquotas de 1,0mL dessas diluições foram semeadas em três tubos com caldo Horie Arabinose Violeta de Etila (37ºC/24 horas). Repicou-se para agar TCBS (37ºC/24 horas). As colônias típicas foram semeadas em: agar motilidade sal, agar nutritivo sal, caldo peptonado sal e ágar TSI sal (incubados a 37ºC/24 horas), testes bioquímicos: halofilismo (0; 3; 6; 8 e 10%), crescimento a 42ºC, teste de Kanagawa, prova de Hugh-Leifson, descarboxilação da lisisna e arginina e fermentação de manitol e sacarose. V. parahaemolyticus foi semelhante estatisticamente nas amostras de água e das fases pós-larva e engorda em todas as propriedades estuário e viveiros. Nas amostras de camarões também não houve diferença significativa estatística entre propriedades e fases de cultivo As águas do sistema produtivo e os camarões cultivados no litoral piauiense apresentam condições higiênico-sanitárias satisfatórias quanto à enumeração de Vibrioparahaemolyticus.

The aim of the present study was to determine fungal genera, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium species and aflatoxin B1 contamination from raw materials and finished feed intended for fish farm localized in Piaui, Brazil. Aspergillus flavus and P. citrinum were isolated with a high relative density from all samples. In general, a high percent of samples exceeded the levels proposed as feed hygienic quality limits (CFU g-1) according to Good Manufacture Practice. Aflatoxin B1 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All raw materials and finished feed showed aflatoxin B1 levels. Although in this study AFB1 levels below recommended limits (20 µg kg-1) were found, it is important to emphasize the feed intake with toxin in low concentrations along time, since it produce chronic deleterious effects in animal production. This fact requires periodic monitoring to prevent the occurrence of chronic aflatoxicosis in aquaculture, to reduce the economic losses and to minimize hazards to animal health.