Characterization and Technological Features of Autochthonous Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci as Potential Starters for Portuguese Dry Fermented Sausages

The manufacture of dry fermented sausages is an important part of the meat industry in Southern Europeancountries. These products are usually produced in small shops from a mixture of pork, fat, salt, and condiments andare stuffed into natural casings. Meat sausages are slowly cured through spontaneous fermentation by autochthonousmicrobiota present in the raw materials or introduced during manufacturing. The aim of this work was to evaluate thetechnological and safety features of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from Portuguese dry fermented meatsausages in order to select autochthonous starters. Isolates (n = 104) obtained from 2 small manufacturers were identifiedas Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus equorum, Staphylococcus saprophyticus,andStaphylococcus carnosus. Genomically diverseisolates (n = 82) were selected for further analysis to determine the ability to produce enzymes (for example, nitrate-reductases, proteases, lipases) and antibiotic susceptibility. Autochthonous CNS producing a wide range of enzymes andshowing low antibioresistance were selected as potential starters for future use in the production of dry fermented meatsausages.

Mastite: importância do maneio, ambiente e animal. Plano de prevenção, controlo e impacto na quantidade e qualidade do leite

No presente relatório são caracterizadas e descritas as atividades desenvolvidas durante o estágio curricular na vertente da importância do maneio, ambiente e animal no controlo das mastites. Contempla ainda uma revisão bibliográfica e estudo de caso sobre a problemática das mastites na exploração. No estudo de caso procurou avaliar-se a influência do maneio, ambiente e animal no controlo das mastites e o impacto que estas representam na quantidade e na qualidade do leite. Foi ainda realizado estudo em 30 bovinos, identificados como animais problema, com recolha de amostras de leite para análise de antibiograma com deteção de agente. Foi implementado um plano de prevenção e controlo de mastites que consistiu na implementação de medidas de higiene e maneio dos animais, implementação de operações de rotinas de ordenha, implementação de medidas preventivas com recurso a vacinação e estabelecimentos de protocolos de tratamentos para os animais com patologias associadas às mastites. Os resultados obtidos foram muito positivos, diminuindo de forma drástica a incidência de mastites de 20% para 5% anual e consequentemente, uma melhoria considerável da quantidade de leite (22 para 33 L/vaca/dia) e na qualidade do leite (CCS <300 000 cel/mL) produzido; Abstract: Mastitis: Importance of management, environment and animal. Plan for the prevention, control and impact on the quantity and quality of milk This report characterize and describe the activities carried out during the traineeship in the aspect of the importance of management, environment and animal in the control of mastitis. There is also a literature and a case study on the problem of mastitis on the farm review. In the case study we sought to evaluate the influence of management, environment and animal in the control of mastitis and the impact that they represent in the quantity and quality of milk. A study was also carried out in 30 cattle, identified as problem animals, with milk samples for antibiotic susceptibility analysis with agent detection. It was implemented a mastitis prevention and control plan with the implementation of hygiene measures and husbandry of animals, implementation of milking routine operations, and implementing preventive measures using vaccination and treatment protocols establishment for animal diseases associated with mastitis. The results were very positive, decreasing dramatically the incidence of 20% mastitis to 5% per year and hence a considerable improvement of the quantity (22 to 33 L/cow/day) and quality ( SCC <300,000 cells/mL) of milk produced.