Hygiene and Safety of Yerba Mate

A Microbiological Study

Abstract

The present study aimed to perform microbiological and physicochemical analyses on samples of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), known as tererê, sold in the urban area of Barra do Burges-MT. Ten samples were collected for these analyses. The microbiological analyses included the counting of molds, yeasts, mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, and thermotolerant coliforms, using standard microbiology methods. The physicochemical analyses were based on determining the moisture content using the sample desiccation loss method. The results indicated that all samples showed moisture levels within the limits established by current regulations. The counts of mesophilic bacteria, molds, yeasts, total coliforms, and thermotolerant coliforms were also within legal parameters.