Microbiological studies on market hen eggs

ABSTRACT

One hundred and fifty market hen eggs collected from different localities in Cairo and Giza were examined microbi logically. Obtained results revealed that the mean values of aerobic bacterial count, coliform content [MPN/ml], staphylococcal count and mold and yeast count were 52.17 x 10[4], 96.25, 168.57 and 115.71/ml respectively. S. pullorum, proteus vulgaris and P. mirabilis could be isolated from 0.66, 6.66 and 5.33 percent of examined samples respectively, while Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, K. ozoenae and Pseudomonas spp could be isolated at varying percentages [2%-12%]. Staphylococcus aureus and Staph. epidermidis could be isolated from 3.33% and 23.33% respectively, while the genera Penicillium, Asperigillus, Cladosporium, Ascopularsis, Helmenthosporium and Mycelia sterilia could be isolated at different percentages ranging from 2.66% to 40%. Strict hygienic measures should be adopted in the farm during production and handling to improve the quality of produced eggs