Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from mastitis milk and cheese processing: Study of adherence and biofilm formation

The aim of this study was to identify the phenotypic and genotypic profiles of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from mastitis milk and cheese processing plant.To evaluate the biofilm production of wild-type strains on contact surfaces by testing different factors through adhered cells and biofilm quantifications, finally, these biofilms were observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Congo red agar (CRA) plate method was used to identify slime production by strains. Screening of genes encoding adhesion factors and biofilm formation was carried out using PCR. After strains selection, adhesion and biofilm assays were designed testing different times (12, 48, 96 h), strains (n = 13), contact surfaces (stainless steel and polypropylene), and temperatures (5 °C and 25 °C); and then, bacterial count and crystal violet staining were conducted. Relative frequencies of positive on CRA and genes presence were determined, and Friedman test was applied for bacterial counts and OD values. Additionally, significant factors (P ≤ .05) were subjected to multiple comparisons using the Nemenyi test. The slime production in CRA was observed by visual inspection in 38.7% of strains. A large distribution of genes was described among strains, implying a high variability of genotypic profiles. Moreover, relative frequencies of CRA positive and gene presence were described. The developed assay showed that the strain, temperature, contact surface, were significant for both variables. The SEM corroborated the findings, showing greater biofilm formation on stainless steel at 25 °C. Thus, it is essential to highlight the importance of temperature control and material with low superficial energy to avoid biofilm formation by staphylococci.

Fatores condicionantes da adesão dos alunos ao Programa de Alimentação Escolar no Brasil

OBJETIVO: Verificar o nível de adesão dos alunos ao Programa de Alimentação Escolar e identificar as principais variáveis que a afetam. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa baseou-se em amostra composta por dez municípios brasileiros, sendo dois de cada região geográfica. As informações foram obtidas a partir de visitas às escolas (duas por município) e entrevistas junto a 2.678 escolares. Foram consideradas no modelo estatístico as variáveis: gênero, idade, práticas alimentares, estado nutricional e condições socioeconômicas dos alunos. Utilizaram-se os testes de qui-quadrado e o modelo de lógite para identificar a influência simultânea das variáveis acima consideradas. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que 46% dos alunos consomem diariamente a alimentação oferecida na escola, enquanto 17% não participam do Programa. As variáveis renda familiar per capita, escolaridade dos pais, idade, estado nutricional dos alunos e a maior freqüência de consumo de alimentos nas "cantinas escolares", ou seja, cantinas comerciais existentes nas escolas, são inversamente associadas à adesão diária ao Programa. Nas escolas que não dispõem de tais cantinas, o estado nutricional é a única variável inversamente associada à adesão diária ao Programa. CONCLUSÃO: Pode-se inferir que a adesão ao Programa de Alimentação Escolar é baixa e que, embora concebido para ser universal, na prática, assume caráter focalizado, beneficiando principalmente os escolares comprometidos nutricionalmente, cujas famílias possuem menores rendimentos e escolaridade. Espera-se que o presente estudo possa contribuir para a reformulação do Programa, visando promover a adequação do seu atendimento às características dos beneficiários. E que possa, também, subsidiar pesquisas futuras para identificar os motivos da rejeição da alimentação escolar por expressiva parcela da população alvo.

Atuação dos conselhos municipais de alimentação escolar na gestão do programa nacional de alimentação escolar

Este trabalho avaliou a atuação dos Conselhos Municipais de Alimentação Escolar, criados para assessorar e fiscalizar o programa de alimentação escolar. Analisando-se informações obtidas entre setembro de 1997 e abril de 1998, em 1.378 municípios brasileiros, verificou-se que a atribuição principal dos Conselhos é a fiscalização da aplicação dos recursos destinados ao Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (76,90% dos municípios), seguida pelo acompanhamento do Programa nas escolas (63,45%), pela participação na elaboração do cardápio (50,41%) e pela assessoria na programação, execução e avaliação do Programa (38,90%). O ajuste de modelos próbites multivariados identificou variáveis relevantes para a participação dos Conselhos em diferentes atribuições e mostrou que a descentralização do gerenciamento do Programa aumentou a efetividade da atuação dos Conselhos. Contudo, o conjunto dos resultados evidencia a necessidade de uma atuação mais efetiva dos Conselhos Municipais de Alimentação Escolar como espaço de participação popular e de promoção do Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar.

[Mineral composition of edible mushrooms cultivated in Brazil--Pleurotus spp and other dehydrated species]

Macrofungi can accumulate some minerals, including toxic metals if present in the substrate. A periodic monitoring of these elements in mushrooms is recommended when the conditions of cultivation are altered. The aim of this work was to evaluate the mineral content of Pleurotus spp (hiratake and shimeji) and of imported (chilean and italian) dehydrated mushrooms. Fresh fruiting bodies of Pleurotus spp were obtained from cultivators and dehydrated mushrooms were bought in a market. The samples were dried, milled and digested by C1H-NO3H. The content of P, K, S, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Na and B were analyzed by ICP-AES and Al, Cd, Cr, Pb, Co, Ni by ICP-OES. The results classify these mushrooms as a source of potassium and copper: Pleurotus spp are also a source of phosphorus (P < 0.05); the chilean mushrooms present high content of iron (P < 0.05). All the evaluated mushrooms were identified as a food without sodium (< 5 mg Na/100 g). So these mushrooms being a source of potassium without Na, answer the needs of hypertension and/or heart diseases patients as a food and/or like a condiment for flavor enhancement. Subsequent studies should include major sampling and the evaluation of the toxic metals, Pb and Cr, employing more accurate methods of analysis, as well as the evaluation of Hg (not analysed in this study), mainly in wild mushrooms, commercialized dehydrated.

[Amino acid composition evaluation of Pleurotus spp. cultivated in banana leaves]

The protein quality of edible mushrooms besides being species/strain specific, could also vary with the growth substrate. The aim of this work was to determine the amino acid composition of the protein from edible mushrooms--Pleurotus sp. "Florida" (L1), P. ostreatoroseus (L2) and P. sajor-caju (L3), cultivated on banana leaves (BL) single and, mixed with sugar cane bagasse (BLSCB). Total amino acids, cystine and tryptophan were evaluated; the chemical score index and PDCAAS--"protein digestibility-correct amino acid scoring" were calculated. From both substrates, the studied species contain all essential amino acids; in decreasing order, the amino acids in great amounts were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine and lysine. The L1 chemical score was 90.4, with limitation in sulfur and aromatic amino acids when from BL substrate; and, from BLSC substrate the chemical score was 88.7 with limitation in aromatics only. The L2 and L3 was 100, 0, independent of cultivation substrate. The calculated PDCAAS value, considering 90% of recommended digestibility, varied between 80.0-96%. The L1 proteins were limiting in sulfur and aromatic amino acids and had the lowest value of PDCAAS (approximately 80.0) in both substrates; the L3 proteins were limiting in aromatic, sulfur and tryptophan, dependent of cultivation substrate; the L2 proteins had the greatest value of PDCAAS (approximately 96%) and were limiting in aromatic and/or sulfur amino acids, dependent of cultivation substrate. Considering the conditions of this study, the protein of the studied species is incomplete, although of high biological value, comparable to meet.

Freqüência à creche e outros condicionantes do estado nutricional infantil

O estudo descreve o estado nutricional de 2 096 pré-escolares atendidos nos 27 Centros Educacionais e Creches do município de Piracicaba, estado de São Paulo. Observa-se que 5,1% das crianças apresentam déficit de altura/idade (escore ZAI <-2,0) e proporção de 1,2 com baixo peso/altura (escore ZPA <-2,0). Os resultados revelam que renda per capita, escolaridade da mãe, modalidade de esgoto, tipo de moradia e duração de freqüência nos Centros Educacionais e Creches são as variáveis que têm impacto sobre o escore-ZAI das crianças. Ressalta-se que a associação positiva detectada entre duração de freqüência no CEC e escore-Z de altura para idade aponta para a importância desses investimentos como forma de proteger as crianças, principalmente contra a desnutrição crônica, na medida em que associam à educação o cuidado básico com saúde, alimentação e higiene. A creche também possibilita a participação da mãe no mercado de trabalho, o que é muito importante, em famílias pobres para aumentar a renda familiar.

[Chemical and biological evaluation of ripe banana peel]

Chemical and biological evaluation of ripe banana peel was conducted, aiming its potential use as a source of dietary fiber in human nutrition. Two types of flour were prepared from banana peel: a) untreated (UT), using washed and dried peel; b) treated (SMB), using peel treated with sodium metabisulfite and citric acid, in attempt to minimize the darkening of the flour. As expected, banana peel flour revealed to be an important source of fiber (NDF), corresponding about 32% of its dried weight. The addition of this flour to a basal casein diet lowered its protein digestibility and increased the fecal bulk of the rats, which are the known effects of dietary fiber. However, it did not alter the protein quality, since there was no difference in the PER values of the diets studied; in addition, the growth of the rats fed diets containing banana peel did not differ from those fed control diet. These results suggest the feasibility of technological studies aiming the development of food products with banana peel. Besides, biological assays should be realized in the elucidation of its effects in food intake and biochemical parameters.