The contamination of Brazilian nuts, Bertholettia excelsa, by pathogenic microorganisms, is the main concern of health authorities in countries that consume the product, which is an excellent nutrient in the human and animal diet. This research work aimed to identify the common bacterial biota from fruits and seeds collected in the Brazilian amazon forest, in the states of Amapa, Amazonas and Acre, and review the role of these microorganisms in distinct ecosystems. The aerobic and facultative bacteria species found in the Brazilian nut, in this study, are members of the following families: Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Aerococcaceae, Aeromonadaceae, Micrococcaceae, Pasteurellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Sphingomonadaceae, Burkholderiaceae and Dermacoccaceae. Some of the isolated microorganisms are pathogenic to man and animals, and others are innocuous, of biotechnological interest. These data would contribute to the understanding and control of microbiological contamination of the Brazilian nut, besides to ensure the high level of competitiveness of this product in the international market, which also favor the sustainable development of the Brazilian nut rational exploitation by the Amazonian forest inhabitants.
Brazilian nut, bacteria, contamination, human health
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