DETERMINATION OF WATER ACTIVITY, pH, COAGULASE POSITIVE Staphylococcus COUNTS, TOTAL AND FECAL COLIFORM COUNTS IN MINAS MEIA CURA CHEESE SOLD IN STREET MARKETS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE CITY OF SÃO PAULO

de Carvalho Balian, imone

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to determine the water activity and pH, as well as to enumerate coagulase positive Staphylococcus, total and fecal coliforms in 32 samples of Minas meia cura cheese purchased in street markets in the southern region of the city of São Paulo. In order to classify the product in terms of percentage moisture content, 5 samples were submitted to the analysis. Mean values obtained in physical-chemical analyses were 0.96 for water activity, 4.91 for pH. These values do not represent obstacles for the multiplication / survival of agents of hygienic-sanitary importance in the product. Considering that the mean moisture level was 40.31%, this cheese is classified as presenting medium moisture, according to the regulation RDC no.12. In the analyses performed, 40.62 % (13/32) of the samples presented fecal coliform counts above the standard determined by the regulation, and 28.12% (9/32) of them were above the standard for coagulase positive Staphylococcus. It should be pointed out that 3 (9.37%) of the samples were above the standards for both analyses. Thus, 19 (59.38%) samples were considered to be inadequate for consumption because they presented at least one of the microbiological requirements above the legal standards determined for the product, and therefore, were classified as products in inadequate sanitary conditions. Key w