Applied Study of Microbiological Hazards in Raw Milk Soft White Cheese in Egypt

Abstract

Raw milk Domiati cheese is the main soft white pickled cheese produced in Egypt. The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological hazards, physiochemical quality and safety of some raw Domiati cheese subtypes including Double Cream, Tallaga, Baramely and Istanbully. The cheese samples were randomly collected from different cheese retailers in Cairo. The results indicated that the protein content and fat content were high in Double cream cheese. The pH value was low in Baramely cheese. Total solid, ash, and EC were high in Istanbully cheese because it is high salt level. Also, results indicated high microbiological hazards. the cheese samples were highly contaminated, having microbial load exceeding the acceptable limits such as: Total bacterial count, Total coliform, Fecal E. coli and yeast & molds. Pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Campylobacter jejuni) were detected in three cheese samples. Except Istanbully cheese sample were found free of most pathogenic bacteria. A high microbial load of the cheese samples present a public health hazard to the consumers and emphasize the need for improving hygienic standard. Microbiological hazards must be limited to the stander limit of food safety. Raw milk soft white cheese must be manufactured according to hygienic standard.

Molecular Characterization and Biofilm Formation Study of Contaminant Bacteria Isolated from Domiaty and Hungarian Cheeses in Jeddah City

“…Bacillus cereus is a Gram-positive and spore-forming bacterium that can grow in various environments at wide-ranging temperatures (4°C-50°C), and It is resistant to (chemicals, radiation and heat treatment) 40 . Pathogenic bacteria as Bacillus cereus was detected in three samples of cheese 41 , Bacillus cereusis a frequently isolated from food and food products, dairy products, it secretes toxins that can cause sickness and diarrhoea symptoms in humans. B. cereus is responsible for biofilm formation on food contact surfaces, such as stainless steel pipes, conveyor belts and storage tanks.…”