Abstract

RAMIREZ MERIDA, Luis Guillermo; MORON DE SALIM, Alba; ALFIERI GRATEROL, Ana Yudith  and  GAMBOA, Orlando. Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) in three markets of Valencia, Venezuela. ALAN [online]. 2009, vol.59, n.3, pp.318-324. ISSN 0004-0622.

The incidence of L. monocytogenes in tomatoes and coriander obtained from three different markets, during eight weeks were determined. 192 samples were evaluated: 96 of tomatoes, and 96 of coriander. The isolation of L. monocytogenes was performed using COVENIN 3718:2001. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 12.0. Kolmogorov Smirnov, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis U test; Spearman’s correlation were applied, and pListeria spp to tomatoes and coriander during the eight weeks of recollection in the markets; neither between the distributions of MPN of tomatoes and coriander from the markets (Chi²=5,233 p²=1,624 p²=6,547 p²=2,667 pL. monocytogenes and 16,7% L. ivanovii); in coriander 77,08% (36,5% L. monocytogenes, 33,3% L. ivanovii and 7,3% L. seelige.). We concluded that the high level of L. monocytogenes in tomatoes and coriander is independent of the markets store; we see the necessity of a microbiological control on the irrigation system, collection and distribution to ensure the quality of the product.

Keywords : Listeria monocytogenes; fresh vegetables tomatoes; coriander; microbiological control.