Bacterial Contamination of Mortadella in Three Palestinian Factories

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ex. Microbiology Department Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Gaza, Palestine

Abstract

An investigation on certain bacterial contaminants of Mortadella produced by three Palestinian factories has been carried out. One sample (2units) was taken monthly (June/1999-may/2000) from each of three local factories (A, B&C). The lowest viable bacterial count recorded was 1x 103 CFU/g. in sample No. C1, while the highest count was 3x107 CFU/g. in sample No. B5. Some bacterial strains were isolated during the course of this study by using specific isolation media. They were identified and distributed as: Salmonella spp. (40%) (S. typhi, 6 strains, S. arizonae, 4 strains and S. infantis, 2 strains), Eschirichia spp. (50%) (E. coli, 8 strains and E. coli O157:H7, 7 strains), anaerobic Streptococcus parvulus (3.3%) (One strain) and Clostridum spp. (6.7%) (Cl. baratii, one strain and Cl. botulinum, 2 strains). Three samples (A1, C3 and B10) were mix contaminated; two pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from each. All investigated samples were negative for Yersinia spp. and Campylobacter spp. The scientific and medical importance was discussed.

Keywords

Main Subjects