RESUMEN
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