Determinación microbiológica y de metales pesados en berro (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.) expendido en los diferentes mercados del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito.

Watercress is a vegetable whose consumption has been increasing over time in the Ecuadorian highlands, because of its high nutritional value. According to studies from other countries, watercress is highly susceptible to bacteria, parasites and heavy metals accumulate. In this investigation it carried out microbiological and heavy metal determination in watercress Nasturtium officinale R. Br. sold in 30 markets of the Metropolitan District of Quito. Fresh samples were analyzed according to the color, odor, size and weight of leaves (length: 9.51-18.62 cm, width: 3.02-7.61 cm and weight: 0.33-1.90 g). Then, it was performed the physicochemical characterization, where the average value of all samples was: 92.78% moisture, 1.28% ash, 3.78 °Brix (soluble solids), pH 6.78 and 0.07% titratable acidity (oxalic acid). Heavy metals analyzed were lead and cadmium; these were within the maximum level of concentration in leafy vegetables established by CODEX, while CFU/g (Colony-Forming Units per gram) of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in all samples exceeded the microbiological limits established in the regulations proposed by Moragas and De Pablo, except for one market. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria were not correlated directly with the parameters pH, moisture and ºBrix. In parasitology, all samples had at least a cyst and concluded that watercress sold in Quito markets lacks health and it may be dangerous to human health.

• Autor principal: Cabascango Cabezas, Sandy Andrea (author)
• Format: bachelorThesis
• Idioma: spa
• Publicat: 2016
• Matèries: BIOTECNOLOGÍA DE LOS RECURSOS NATURALES; METALES PESADOS; PLANTAS; EFECTOS DE LOS METALES PESADOS
• Accés en línia: http://dspace.ups.edu.ec/handle/123456789/12149