Análise parasitológica e microbiológica de alfaces (Lactucasativa L.) comercializad as em feiras livres e supermercados da área metropolitana de são luis-ma

The objective of this work was to analyze the parasitic and microbiological occurrence in free goods stores and supermarkets in the metropolitan region of São Luís-MA, being collected a sample of the free market area and supermarkets in ten neighborhoods, thus totaling 20 items, how vegetables were stored and sent to the analysis laboratory, without which type of washing after washing with autoclave distilled water, it is allowed to analyze a parasitology using the spontaneous and centrifugal sedimentation method and for microbiological use used in the COLItest® kit for determining total and thermotolerant coliforms (Escherichia coli). Lettuces from fairs and supermarkets, 100% found positive for protozoa and/or helminths, with protozoan and helminth being the most prevalent in both local locations: Entamoeba coli and Ascaris lumbricoides, respectively. No type of microbiological aspect, 100% of the samples contaminated by total coliforms and the presence of E. coli, was the most frequent in fairs, seven of which were considered harmful for consumption at the São Francisco fair (2.90 x 102 CFU/mL), was a sample with a higher number of colonies. The contamination of vegetables becomes worrying, as it represents the hygienic aspects that are inadequate and the risk that the population presents.