Microbiological Quality of Nuts, Dried and Candied Fruits, Including the Prevalence of Cronobacter spp.

Cronobacter genus bacteria are food-borne pathogens. Foods contaminated with spp. may pose a risk to infants or immunocompromised adults. The aim of this study was determine the microbiological quality nuts, seeds and dried fruits special emphasis on occurrence Analyses were carried out 64 samples commercial nuts (20 samples), (24), candied (8), (4), mixes seeds, (8). tested for total plate count (TPC), counts yeasts molds, isolates identified differentiated by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragments Length Polymorphism) RAPD-PCR (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA PCR) analysis. TPC, molds not detected in 0.1 g 23.4%, 89.1%, 32.8% analyzed samples. In remaining samples, TPC range 1.2–5.3 log CFU g−1. presence/absence species 12 (18.8%) of: (10 (2 samples). strains included: C. sakazakii (3 strains), malonaticus (5), turicensis (4). results contribute determination presence identification products plant origin intended direct consumption.