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ABSTRACT: In Mexico, the prevalence of Salmonella enterica in low-water-activity foods and its link to outbreaks are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological profile and the prevalence of S. enterica in several low-water-activity foods, including peanuts, pecans, raisins, sun-dried tomatoes, and chocolate sprinkles, purchased in retail establishments in Querétaro, Mexico. Seventy samples of each food item sold in bulk were purchased. Aerobic plate count, molds, yeasts, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were quantified in 10-g samples. The prevalence of S. enterica in 25-g samples was determined. From positive samples, S. enterica isolates (60) were characterized based on their antimicrobial susceptibility to 14 antibiotics, the presence-absence of 13 virulence genes, and serotype. The concentration of aerobic plate count, molds, yeasts, total coliforms, and E. coli ranged from 3.1 to 5.2 log CFU g-1, from 2.0 to 2.4 log CFU g-1, from 2.0 to 3.0 log CFU g-1, from 0.6 to 1.1 log most probable number (MPN) g-1, and from 0.5 to 0.9 log MPN g-1, respectively. S. aureus was not detected in any sample (<10 CFU g-1). The prevalence of S. enterica in chocolate sprinkles, raisins, peanuts, pecans, and sun-dried tomatoes was 26, 29, 31, 40, and 52%, respectively. Most isolates (68.3%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Chromosome-associated virulence genes were found in all isolates, and only one strain had sopE, and 98.3% of the isolates were grouped in the same virulotype. Among the isolates, the most frequent serotype was Tennessee (51 of 60). According to the characteristics evaluated, we grouped the isolates into 24 clusters. The elevated prevalence of S. enterica highlights the role of low-water-activity food items sold in bulk at markets as potential vehicles for pathogen transmission. Regardless of the low variability among S. enterica isolates, their characterization could be helpful to elucidate which strains are circulating in these foods for improving epidemiological surveillance.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Studies of ethnobiological nature favor the rescue of popular culture, preventing important cultural and biological information from being lost over time. Another interesting point is that it can support bioprospecting studies focusing on the discovery of new drugs. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: Our aim was to conduct a survey of plants sold for therapeutic purposes in public markets in the Crajubar Triangle in Northeast Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a questionnaire, data were collected regarding the part of the plant used, method of preparation, quantity needed, instructions for use and known adverse effects. From the data obtained, we calculated the relative importance of species and informant consensus factor. RESULTS: Vendors indicated 91 useful species from a therapeutic point of view, distributed in 49 plant families. The preparation methods most frequently mentioned by informants were decoction, infusion, sauce with part of the plant in water and lozenge. The informants of this study mentioned bark, leaves, seeds and roots as parts of the plant most sold for therapeutic use. Disorders of the digestive system was the disease/disorder category with the highest consensus among the vendors, and the species Ximenia americana, Lippia gracillis, Stryphnodendron rotundifolium, Anacardium occidentale, Hymenaea courbail, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Amburana cearensis and Himatanthus drasticus were the most versatile among the plants sold in markets. CONCLUSIONS: Vendors indicated 91 species belonging to 49 botanical families and 89 genera. The most frequent forms of preparation were decoction, infusion and sauce made with part of the plant in water. The most common form of administration was oral. Bark and leaves were the plant parts most used. Thirteen species showed great versatility regarding their use. We noted 291 indications for use in 13 disease/disorder categories.

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No período de fevereiro a março de 2004 foram visitados todos os Mercados Públicos da cidade do Recife para avaliar as condições higiênico-sanitárias do pescado comercializa do e comparar os resultados obtidos com o que estabelece o Código Sanitário do Estado de Pernambuco. Os Mercados visitados tiveram suas condições avaliadas in loco, a partir do Roteiro de Inspeção para Mercados Públicos e Privados, fornecido pelo Departamento de Alimentos e Ambiente de Trabalho da Vigilância Sanitária do Recife. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que apenas treze Mercados Públicos comercializam pescado congelado; nenhum Mercado Público da cidade do Recife atendeu 100% das exigências do Código Sanitário do Estado de Pernambuco, no entanto, 23% satisfazem 40% das exigências, 38,5% satisfazem 60% e 38,5 satisfazem 80% das exigências. Observou-se que as condições higiênico- sanitárias em que o pescado congelado era manipulado e armazenado eram deficientes, propiciando condições favoráveis à deterioração e à proliferação de microrganismos patógenos, que é de grande risco para a saúde da população. (AU)

In the period from February to March of 2004, all the public markets of the city were visited of to evaluate hygienic-sanitary conditions of frozen fish comercialized and to compare the results obtained with what it establishesthe Sanitary Code of State of Pernambuco. The visited Markets, they had your conditions evaluated in loco, fromthe Route of Inspection for Public and Private Markets, supplied by the Department of Victuals and Atmosphereof Work of the Sanitary Surveillance of Recife. The obtained results, they showed only thirteen Public Markets market frozen fish; no Public Market of the city of Recife assisted 100% of the demands of the Sanitary Code of the State of Pernambuco, however, 23% satisfy 40% of the demands, 38,5% satisfy 60% and 38,5 they satisfy 80% of the demands. It was observed that the hygienic- sanitary conditions in that the frozen fish was manipulated and stored they were deficient, propitiating favorable conditions to deterioration and the proliferation of microorganisms patógenos, that it is of great risk for the health of the population. (AU)

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