Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Enterobacteriaceae are often reported as a typical bacterial population in raw milk from any mammalian origin. The frequent concern with bacteria, especially those related to this group of microorganisms, is their increasing resistance to antibiotics and the emergence of enzymes that degrade them. This study aimed to characterize isolates of Enterobacteriaceae from raw goat milk to expose associated safety problems and possible technological challenges. METHODS: Isolates from 21 raw goat milk samples purchased in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were identified by mass spectrometry, after isolation on Violet Red Bile Glucose agar. The isolates were subjected to evaluation of proteolytic, lipolytic, hemolytic, and biofilm producing activities. Furthermore, resistance profiles and production capacity of enzymes that degrade antimicrobials were evaluated. RESULTS: Almost half of the 59 isolates (48%) belonged to the Enterobacter genus, with a significant prevalence of the Serratia (20%) and Klebsiella (11%) genera. The majority showed biofilm-producing activity (90%), while the activity of degradative enzymes was observed in approximately 20%. Few isolates were found with a profile of resistance to antimicrobials, with only one isolate of Klebsiella variicola being classified as multidrug-resistant. However, chromogenic culture media showed high production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases (54% and 46%, respectively), as a presumptive identification. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable degree of virulence was observed in the Enterobacteriaceae isolates, as well as the potential for undesirable technological damage. The characterization and identification of the isolates contributes to the improvement of the risk monitoring process of goat's milk.