Use of Flow/Conductimetric System as an Alternative Methodology for Bioinputs: Application in Detecting Microorganisms in Red Cabbage

Objective: This article aimed to experiment the detection of microorganisms in water samples, from red cabbage washing water by a flow/conductometric system, with and without sodium hypochlorite sanitizer (NaClO), during preparation for human consumption. Theoretical Framework: This research was based on sustainable and agroecological agriculture focused on the cultivation and production of vegetables, care in the preparation of this type of food for human consumption and the application of an alternative technique to detect the presence, as well as the proliferation of microorganisms in this type of food. Method: The red cabbage was acquired at Goias Supply Center (Central de abastecimento de Goiás - S. A. - CEASA), in Goiânia – GO – Brazil. The continuous flow system with conductometric detection was used to identify the presence of microbiota in the water samples, by monitoring their proliferation, and the results being compared with the proliferation of Escherichia coli bacteria under the same conditions as the sample solutions. The efficiency of the sanitizing solution in sanitizing the sample related to preparation for human consumption was evaluated. Results and Discussion: Thus, the presence of microorganisms in the samples was evidenced, and it was found that the sanitizing solution of NaClO, was completely effective in eliminating the microbiome presented in the reference solutions and in the cleaning solutions of red cabbage leaves. Research Implications: The importance of combating environmental and human health problems related to food safety is highlighted. The presence and proliferation of microorganisms in water and soil, the excessive use of pesticides and inadequate food handling are responsible for the highest rate of food poisoning cases related to natural foods, even those produced in sustainable agriculture, by using fewer chemical inputs, may have greater contact with organic matter, including animal manure, which may contain Escherichia coli. Chlorine-based sanitizers act against bacteria, microbacteria, fungi and some viruses. However, their action can include damage to genetic material, degradation of enzymes and amino acids and inhibition of protein synthesis, which requires special care when using these products. Originality/Value: The research aims to propose an alternative, simple, fast and low-cost methodology to detect and monitor the development of microorganisms in plant-based foods for in-season consumption. For a long time, flow injection analysis systems with conductometric detection have been used to determine analytes in sample solutions in the gaseous state or in analyses whose chemical reactions result in a product in the formation of gas. In the present work, based on the results obtained, the importance of applying this flow system model to detect gaseous chemical substances, such as CO2 produced by microorganisms in sample solutions, was demonstrated, enabling the detection of their presence, as well as their proliferation, based on monitoring the CO2 concentration over time. Thus confirming its application in microbiological analyses, it can be used as an alternative methodology and thus further expanding its applications in different types of analyses, including in sustainable agriculture, which, in itself, is not synonymous with guaranteeing food free from Escherichia coli.