André Gustavo Lima de Almeida Martins

Atividade antibacteriana do óleo essencial do manjericão frente a sorogrupos de "Escherichia coli" enteropatogênica isolados de alfaces

Considering the increase of the involvement of vegetables in the transmission of microorganism including the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli multiresistance to conventional drugs, the search for new antimicrobial compounds from natural sources, such as the essential oils, has been intensified in the last years. This research aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil from basil (Ocimum basilicum Linn.) front to sorogroups of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolated in lettuces (Lactuca sativa) using the Diffusion in Disk Method. The results showed that, all the tested strains of E. coli EPEC presented sensitivity to the essential oils action, suggesting that it can be a source of compounds with therapeutic potential in the fighting to bacteria pathogenic.

QUANTIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF Aeromonas spp. IN ESTUARINE SURFACE WATER OF THE BACANGA RIVER, SÃO LUÍS, MA (BRAZIL)

QUANTIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF Aeromonas spp. IN ESTUARINE SURFACE WATER OF THE BACANGA RIVER, SAO LUIS, MA (BRAZIL) To quantify and identify Aeromonas spp., 90 samples of estuarine surface water were collected from the Bacanga’s river in Sao Luis/MA, from March to October 2007. Samples were submitted to spread directly in Gel Salt Phosphate Agar method (CFU/mL) and by the Most Probable Number (MPN/100 mL) in Tripticase Soya Broth. The physical and chemical parameters: temperature (°C), salinity (%), dissolved oxygen (mg/L), pH, ammonia-N (N-NH4 +) (μM/L) and nitrite (μM/ L) were analyzed to evaluate possible influence of the release of domestic sewage “in natura” in the proliferation of these bacteria in the estuarine environment. The results obtained indicated a wide dissemination of Aeromonas in the estuary, with values ranged between 4.0 x101 to 1.3x108 CFU/mL, whereas the values for MPN/100 mL ranged between 2.3x104 to 1.6x107. In relation to physical and chemical parameters, only temperature, salinity, pH and ammonia-N present significant correlation on the growth of bacteria in the environment studied. Seasonal variations were verified by the higher indices of Aeromonas obtained during the rainy season and the proximity with the sources point of domestic sewage. High frequency of Aeromonas in the Bacanga estuary represents risk to the public health, since this bacterium is commonly associated with gastroenteric disease and extra-intestinal infections. KEY-WORDS: Aeromonas spp.; WATER; ESTUARY.