Resumen

ANGELES-NUNEZ, Juan Gabriel et al. Analysis of the sanitary quality of nopal in Otumba, State of Mexico. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.1, pp.129-141. ISSN 2007-0934.

To export nopal, Mexico must meet the health requirements of each country. One way to ensure the safety of this product is to implement good agricultural practices (GAP). However, only a few have nopal producers BPA recognition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sanitary quality of nopal shipping point for producers using BPA. We randomly selected 10 producers Otumba, State of Mexico belonging to a rural society with appreciation BPA, and sampled nopal combined shipping point during the months of March commercialization 2008 to May 2009. The load of aerobic mesophilic bacteria (BMA) was determined, Total Coliforms (TC), Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli, as well as pesticide residues. Only 8% and 3% of the samples exceeded the limits specified by the count ICMSF BMA and CT, respectively. One of the samples collected in May 2009 was contaminated with Escherichia coli, and none with Salmonella sp. Five producers exceeded the permissible limits of BMA, and two those of CT in one of their samples. These cases were related to poor hygiene of containers and means of transport. Additionally, residues were detected one or more pesticides in 8% of the samples. Indicating partial fulfillment of GAP by these producers in particular. The results indicated that nopal produced with BPA meets the sanitary requirements for export.

Palabras llave : Opuntia ficus-indica; good agricultural practices; microbiology; pesticide residues; consumer safety.