[Alternative test for detection of coliforms bacteria in manually expressed human milk]

To compare an alternative method to the most probable number (MPN) test for the detection of total coliform present in manually expressed human milk.

343 samples of manually expressed human milk from flasks donated to the Human Milk Bank of Instituto Fernandes Figueira--IFF were sent to the Laboratory of Food Control of IFF. The samples were used for comparing both methods, i.e., the most probable number (MPN) method, as described in the "Standard methods for the examination of dairy products", and the alternative method.

Coliforms were detected in 31.2% of the samples analyzed, with populations ranging from 3.0 x 10(0) to 1.1 x 10(4) total coliform MPN/mL. The comparison between classical and alternative methods showed similar results regarding the presence of coliform microorganisms in expressed human milk samples. The alternative method detected the presence of total coliform in all contaminated and in four noncontaminated samples according to the MNP method.

The alternative test allows the detection of the presence or absence of coliforms and it is useful for the quality control of pasteurized flasks containing manually expressed human milk manipulated at human milk banks. Therefore, we conclude that the alternative test can be used in the routine of human milk banks as a substitute for the MNP method, since its cost is equivalent to 1/7 of the cost of the traditional method.