MICROBIAL EVALUATION OF IMPORTED FROZEN MEAT SOLD IN MARKETS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Animal Health Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Fifteen samples of frozen boneless beef meat imported to Egypt were examined for Aerobic Plate Count (APC), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Enterobacteriace and Mold counts, also for aflatoxin B1 & B2 detection. The obtained results revealed that the mentioned organisms were higher in frozen meat thawed in ambient conditions than in frozen meat thawed in refrigerated conditions and examined before their expire date. Negative detection of aflatoxin Bland B2 was recorded in all examined frozen meat. Public health significance of S.aureus, Enterobacteriace, Mold and aflatoxin, as well as the recommendations for handling and storage of frozen meat were discussed.