Browsing by Author "Flores Barona, Joselyne Anabell"

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    Uso de las propiedades antimicrobianas del quitosano contra patógenos alimentarios
    (Universidad Técnica de Ambato. Facultad de Ciencia e Ingeniería en Alimentos y Biotecnología. Carrera de Alimentos, 2025-02) Flores Barona, Joselyne Anabell; Sánchez Garnica, Manoella Alejandra
    This study focuses on the antimicrobial properties of chitosan to combat foodborne pathogens present in fresh cheeses, a significant public health problem due to foodborne illnesses. Pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are responsible for numerous foodborne infections, highlighting the need for effective alternatives to synthetic preservatives. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan as an antimicrobial agent against these pathogens. The methodology included the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by microdilution and disc diffusion techniques. Chitosan solutions were prepared, and their effects on E. coli and S. aureus strains isolated from fresh cheeses were evaluated. The results showed that chitosan had an MIC of 165 micrograms per millilitre for E. coli and 10 micrograms per millilitre for S. aureus, indicating an increased susceptibility of gram-positive bacteria. In addition, inhibition percentages of 62.5 percent for E. coli and 60 percent for S. aureus were observed. The most relevant findings suggest that chitosan is a promising natural preservative capable of inhibiting the growth of food pathogens, which could improve food safety and extend the shelf life of dairy products such as fresh cheeses without compromising their quality. Further studies are recommended to optimize its application in the food industry.