Research Article

Microbiological Quality of Retail Meats

Khalalfalla F. A., Fatma H. M. Ali and Saif-Alnasr M.M.
Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

Abstract

A total of 220 random meat samples of different animal species were collected from 50 carcasses consisting 10 carcasses from each of beef, buffalo, camel, sheep and goat, as well20 frozen beef samples. Each carcass represented by four cut samples from neck, shoulder, abdomen and thigh. All samples were collected from random retail and butchers’ shops ofBeni-Suef governorate to assess their microbiological status and compare the levels of contamination among animal species and carcass cuts. This study showed and compared the means of counts (CFU/g) of total aerobicbacteria (mesophilic count and psychrophilic count), coliforms,fecal coliforms,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcusaureus in each of beef, buffalo, camel, sheep and goat carcasses and imported frozen beef as well. Beside the incidence of E.coli, Salmonellaspp, and coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus. The obtained results clarified that the examined beef, buffalo and mutton samples were more contaminated than those of other kinds of meat. The results were discussed from the hygienic point of view and compared with the national and international standards to assess their reliability for consumption.

Keywords

Beef, Buffalo, Camel, Sheep, Goat, Retail, Butchers.