Foods are susceptible to contamination for different etiological agents, which can take to manifested diseases by action of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins. It was researched the occurrence of strains of Staphylococcus and your capacity in producing enterotoxins in milk in natura, that have been produced or commercialized in the State Pernambuco, Brazil. 109 strains of Staphylococus positive and negative coagulase of milk in natura were selected. The identification of the isolated strains was accomplished through morphologic and biochemical tests as: catalase, coagulase, haemolysins, DNAse, thermonuclease, acetoin production (VP) and carbohydrates metabolism (glucose, maltose and mannitol). From the 77 coagulase positive strains 30 were identified as S. aureus, 3 as S. hyicus, 16 as S. intermedius, 13 as S. aureus identification presumptive and 15 as SCP. Among 32 coagulase negative strains 2 were identified as S. capitis, 1 as S. carnosus, 6 as S. chromogenes, 1 as S. hyicus, 1 as S. schleiferi and 21 as SCN. Fourty-three strains that presented very evident thermonuclease reaction, were selected in order to perform for staphylococcal enterotoxins analysis by the immuno enzimatic test (ELFA). 10 strains showed negative reaction for enterotoxins: S. aureus (4), S. carnosus (1), S. chromogenes (2), S. hyicus (2) and S. intermedius (1). Strains that gave positive results, were S. aureus (17), S. chromogenes (2), S. hyicus (1), S. intermedius (8), S. aureus identified presumptively (2) and of the groups SCP (1) and SCN (2). The species that presented larger number of enterotoxigenics strains were S. aureus and S. intermedius. Results can be attributed to the inadequate manipulation or food recontamination during the storage and distribution.
enterotoxins; Staphylococcus; food; milk
