Revista Geográfica Acadêmica (Dec 2023)
GOOD HANDLING PRACTICES, HYGIENIC-SANITARY CONDITIONS AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SURURU (Mytella falcata) SOLD IN STREET MARKETS IN ALAGOAS, BRAZIL
Abstract
The present study aimed to carry out a diagnosis of good handling practices (GHP), hygienic-sanitary conditions and concentrations of minerals in sururu (Mytella falcata) marketed in the street markets of the municipalities bordered by the lagoons that make up the Mundaú-Manguaba Estuarine-Lagoon Complex (MMELC) in dry and rainy season. A checklist was used to assist in the classification of the markets as to the compliance with the guidelines provided for by RDC No. 216/2004 – ANVISA. To investigate the minerals, samples were collected from all points of sale found, totaling 33 samples in the two research periods. The concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique, and the concentration of lead (Pb) was analyzed according to specific protocol (SMEWW). With the application of the checklist, it was possible to classify the hygienic-sanitary conditions in all markets visited as unsatisfactory. As for the microminerals, regardless of the collection period, iron had the highest concentrations in all samples, surpassing, in overall means, by more than fifteen times the detected concentrations of copper, manganese and zinc. Regarding the toxic metal lead, the samples were within the limits allowed in bivalve mollusks. The results obtained with this study confirm the importance of sururu for countless families who sell it in street markets and reinforce the need for a joint effort of both vendors and those responsible for managing these spaces to provide the population of these localities with a favorable environment for food marketing.