MYCOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF IMPORTED FROZEN MEAT

Abstract

A total of one hundred samples of imported frozen meat were collected from different Alexandria markets. The samples were transferred directly to the laboratory where they were examined mycologically to determine the hygienic quality of imported frozen meat.

Mycological examination:

Total mould count:

It is ranged from 2.0 x 104 to 9.0 x 104 with mean value of 4.84 x 104 ± 2.01x 103 cfulg of the examined imported frozen meat samples.

With incidence (92 %) of mould and reported Aspergillus species, Penicillium species, Cladosporium species, Rhizopus species, Mucor species, Alternaria species, Trichoderma species, Helminthosporium species, Phialophora species, Geotrichum species, Fusarium species, Epidermophyton species, Paecilomyces species and Trichophyton species were isolated at an incidence of 73.9 %, 56.5 %, 51.1 %, 44.6 %, 39.1 %, 34.8 %, 26.1 %, 22.9 %, 18.5 %, 15.2 %, 13.0 %, 9.8 %, 8.7 % and 4.3 % respectively.

Further identification of isolated Aspergillus species were reported as follows Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus jlavus and Aspergillus terrus in a descending manner type as follows 38.2 %, 26.7 %, 20.5% and 14.6% respectively.

While identification of isolated Penicillium species were reported as follows Penicillium verrucosum var. cyclopium, Penicillium nigricans, Penicillium oxalicum, Penicillium grisofulvum, Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium albidum and Penicillium multicolor in a descending manner type as follows 23.1 %, 19.2 %, 17.3 %, 13.5 %, 11.5 %, 7.7 %, 5.8% and 1.9% respectively. All were isolated from imported frozen meat.

Total yeast count:

It is ranged from 2.0 x 104 to 9.0 x 104 with mean value of 5.15 x 104 ± 1.99x 103 cfulg ofthe examined imported frozen meat samples.

With incidence (94 %) of yeast and reported Candida species, Torulopsis species and Rhodotorulla species were isolated at an incidence of 64.9 %, 24.5% and 17.0 , %respectively.

Further identification of isolated Candida species were reported as follows Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida pseudotropicalis, Candida parapasilosis, Candida so/ani, Candida krusei, Candida lipolytica, Candida rugosa, Candida mycoderma and Candida kefyr in a descending manner type as follows 21.3 %, 18.0 %, 14.8 %, 13.1 %, 9.8 %, 8.2 %, 6.6 %, 3.3 %, 3.3 %and 1.6% respectively.