Quality assessment of food animal's meat

A total of 100 random samples of camel and sheep meat Boheira samples [50 of each] were collected from different slaughter houses at El Behera and Alexandria provinces. The samples were examined organoleptically, chemically and microbiologically. The results revealed that, all samples were accepted organoleptically. Concerning chemical examination, it was found that, the mean values of pH in camel and sheep meat were 5.71+0.02 and 5.76 +0.02 respectively, the mean values of T.V.N were 10.86 +0.78 and 14.36+0.37 mg% respectively, also the mean values of T.B.A were 0.12+0.01 and 0.16 +0.01 mg% respectively. Regarding microbiological examination, the result revealed that, the mean values of total aerobic bacterial count in camel and sheep meat were 9.31 x 10[5] +1.47 x 10[5] and 17.99 x 10[5] +2.07 x 10[5] cfu/g. respectively, the mean values of Enterobacteriaceae count were 12.51 x 10[5]+1.82 x 10[5] and 8.95 x 10[5] +1.13 x 10[5] cfu/g respectively, the mean values of Coliform were 1.4 x 10[5] +0.23 x 10[5] and 0.91 x 10[5] +0.11 x 10[5] cfu/g. respectively, the mean values of mould and yeast count were 1.5 x 10[5] +0.31 x 105 and 0.48 x 10[5] +0.05 x 10[5] cfu/g. respectively. The significance and public health hazard of the obtained results was discussed and the measures to obtain a good quality camels and sheep meat were recommended

Microbial count as an index of the hygienic quality of retailed meat at El Menofia province

A total of 100 random samples of retailed meat represented by beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat [25 of each] were collected from different butcher's shops at El Menofia province. The samples were examined microbiologically. The results revealed that, the mean values of total aerobic bacterial counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.4X10[6] +/- 2.9 X10[5], 2.3X10[6] +/- 4.2 X10[5], 1.2X10[6] +/- 2.2 X10[5] and 3.2X10[5] +/- 1.2 X10[5] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total psychrophilic counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.2X10[6] +/- 1.8 X10[5], 1.6X10[6] +/- 2.1 X10[5], 1.4X10[6] +/- 1.1 X10[5] and 1.1X10[6] +/- 1.1 X10[5] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total enterobacteriaceae counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.2X10[4] +/- 1.4 X10[3], 2.6X10[4] +/- 3.2 X10[3], 2.1X10[4] +/- 4.2 X10[3] and 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.5 X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total coliform counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.5 X10[3], 1.9X10[4] +/- 1.8 X10[3], 1.6X10[4] +/- 1.5X10[3] and 9.0X10[3] +/- 1.2X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total enterococci counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.2 X10[3], 1.3X10[4] +/- 1.6 X10[3], 1.2X10[4] +/- 1.4 X10[3] and 1.0X10[4] +/- 4.2 X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total staphylococcus aureus counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.6X10[3] +/- 2.3 X10[2], 2.1X10[3] +/- 4.3 X10[2], 1.2X10[3] +/- 1.6 X10[2] and 1.4X10[3] +/- 1.9 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total mould counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 3.8X10[3] +/- 9.2X10[2], 3.3X10[3] +/- 8.3X10[2], 1.2X10[3] +/- 7.2 X10[2] and 1.1X10[3] +/- 6.8 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total yeast counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 3.4X10[3] +/- 1.7 X10[2], 2.3X10[3] +/- 1.6 X10[2], 1.1X10[3] +/- 5.2 X10[2] and 1.1X10[3] +/- 4.2 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The significance and microbial counts index also the public health hazard of the obtained results was discussed and the measures to obtain a good quality were recommended

Mycological evaluation of imported frozen meat

A total of 100 random samples of imported frozen boneless beef meat of different cuts were collected from different Alexandria markets. The samples were transferred in an insulated ice box to the laboratory with minimum time of delay under aseptic condition, where they were examined mycologically. The results revealed the isolation of Aspergillus species, Penicillium species, Cladosporium species, Rhizopus species, Mucor species, Alternaria species, Trichoderma species, Helminthosporium species, Phialophora species, Geotrichum species, Fusarium species and other fungi species from the examined samples. Also, the results revealed the isolation of some yeast species as Candida species, Torulopsis species and Rhodotorulla species. The obtained results showed that the imported frozen meat can be contaminated with yeast and mould due to inadequate hygienic measurements during loading, disloading, handling, preparation and processing from the time of slaughtering till reaching to the consumer

Sero-epidemiological studies on toxoplasmosis among slaughtered animals and people at risk of infection

A total of 205 blood samples were collected from different farm animals shortly before slaughtering [cows 50, buffaloes 40, sheep 60, goats 30 and calves 25] from the Alexandria abattoirs. In the mean time, a total of 95 blood samples were collected from individuals with expected high exposure rate such as butchers [35] and workers [60] who slaughtered, eviscerated, dressed and skinned such animals. At the same time, a total of 108 blood samples were collected from individuals of normal exposure groups such as poultry breeders [20], laboratory workers [25], nurses [15], housewives [18] and students [30]. All blood samples were examined serologically by using Dye test for detection of toxoplasma infection. A total of 35 faecal samples were obtained from stray domestic cats around the abattoirs to investigate the epidemiological role of the cats in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii. From the obtained results it was revealed that seropositive cases in animals [cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats and calves] were 23.5% and in individuals of high risk group [butchers and workers] were 41.1% and other groups of normal exposure [poultry breeders, laboratory workers. nurses, housewives and students] were 17.6%, and the mature infective Toxoplasma gondii oocysts were revealed from cat's faeces with an incidence of 20.0%. The zoonotic and public health importance of Toxoplasma gondii was discussed

Copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and chromium levels in liver and gizzard of broiler chickens

Samples of liver and gizzard [30 of each] were collected from Alexandria Poultry Processing Plant. The analysis of liver and gizzard revealed that, the mean concentration of copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and chromium were 4.41 +/- 0.21, 38.37 +/- 2.87, 9.83 +/- 0.61, 0.79 +/- 0.05 and 0.21 +/- 0.02 ug/g liver, respectively, and 2.03 +/- 0.20, 23.89 +/- 0.98, 9.38 +/- 0.21, 0.62 +/- 0.03 and 0.1 +/- 0.01 ug/g gizzard, respectively. The importance and public health significance of each metal was discussed

Organochlorine pesticide residues in tilapia species fish and the influence of thermal treatment and freezing storgement on their levels

Thirty fish samples of Tilapia species were collected randomly from Alexandria fish markets. The samples were screened for organochlorine pesticide [DDT, dieldrin and lindane] in fish muscles. The mean concentrations of DDT, dieldrin and lindane in fish muscles were 3.67 +/- 0.59, 0.17 +/- 0.03 and 0.75 +/- 0.21, respectively. No pesticide residues could be detected in positive samples after being exposed to heat treatment [roasting for 20 minutes and frying in oil for 15 minutes]. However, freezing for one month at -20C had slight significant effect on pesticide residues, while freezing storage for up to two months was sufficient for destruction of such residues in tested samples. The toxicity and public health significance of organochlorine pesticide were discussed

Copper, mercury and zinc pollution of claries lazera

A total of 50 samples of Clarias lazera were collected from Alexandria fish markets. The average content of copper [ug/g] in muscles, kidneys, liver, gills and blood were 05.8 +/- 1.1, 11.6 +/- 2.1, 36.3 +/- 2.14, 06.3 +/- 1.32, and 04.6 +/- 0.57, respectively, and 0.02 +/- 0.001, 0.03 +/- 0.027, 0.09 +/- 0.015, 0.02 +/- 0.001, and 0.03 +/- 0.017, for mercury, while 22.5 +/- 0.884, 28.3 +/- 2.26, 06.7 +/- 1.75, 31.5 +/- 2.7, and 24.5 +/- 1.85 for zinc. The public health significance of the pollution with such elements was discussed

Chemical composition of some locally manufactured meat products

Chemical analysis of 120 samples of beef burger, hot dog, kofta, minced meat, pasterma and sausage [20 of each] was carried out. The samples were analyzed for their moisture, nitrogen, protein, fat and sodium chloride contents. The achieved results revealed that there were great variations in the chemical composition of the examined meat products. Various samples of beef burger, kofta and minced meat were nearly similar in their nutritive value to a large extent. These kinds of meat products have a moderate percentage of protein [18.17%, 18.32% and 18.76% respectively]. Furthermore pasterma was different in its nutritive value than the other examined meat products where it contains a high content of protein [30.5%]. The significance of occurrence of such variations in the chemical analysis of the examined meat products was discussed

Cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in carcasses of food animals

Random samples from muscles, liver, kidneys and lungs of 75 carcases of cattle, buffaloes and sheep [25 of each] were collected from Alexandria abattoir. Metal analysis revealed that the concentration of cadmium, copper, and lead in liver and kidneys was higher than that in muscles and lungs of cattle and buffaloes, while zinc [in both] were more predominant in the muscles and livers than kidneys and lungs. From other side, sheep carcases showed that cadmium and lead were predominant in kidneys as well as copper and zinc were higher in livers. Importance and the public health significance of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were discussed

Occurrence and public health importance of enterobacteriacea in giblets at consumer level

A total of 30 samples of giblets [10 of each gizzards, hearts and livers] were collected from general markets at Alexandria Province and examined bacteriologically for detection of enteric organisms. Respectively, the mean values for total coliform/g of the gizzard, heart and liver were 8.30 x 10 4 +/- 2.06 x 10 4, 3.64 x 10 2 +/- 0.67 x 10 2 and 2.79 x 10 4 +/- 0.55 x 10 4 and 7.06 x 10 4 +/- 2.23 x 10 4, 4.72 x 10 2 +/- 0.85 x 10 2 and 3.6 x 10 4 +/- 0.67 x 10 4 for total Enterobacteriaceae count. E. coli were the highest isolates from gizzards, hearts and livers [11.90%, 23.80% and 4.76%], followed by Enterobacter cloacae [2.38%, 9.52% and 4.76%] and Enterobacter aerogenes [2.38%, 9.52% and 2.38%]. Citrobacter frequndii, Hafnia alvei, Proteus rettgeri, Proteus morganii, Salmonella spp., Salmonella typhi and Shigella flexneri type 6, could be isolated in a different percentages from examined samples. Spoilage effect as well as the public health significance of isolated species have been discussed

Air and water as sources of bacterial contamination of beef carcasses

Specimens swabs [75] were obtained from the surface of cattle carcasses after evisceration. Also 50 samples from each of air and water were collected from different location of slaughter halls at Alexandria abattoirs. Total bacterial count, enterobacteriaceas, coliform [MPN], enterococci count [MPN] and staphylococcus aureus were carried out in the examined samples. In addition, the obtained results revealed the isolation of various kinds of bacteria. The role of air and water as a source for bacterial contamination of beef carcasses as well as the public hazard of each isolate were discussed