Microbiological Assessment of some Parameters of Kariesh Cheese Sold by Supermarkets and Street Vendors in Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Kariesh cheese is the most popular soft cheese consumed in Egypt especially in the countryside . Some of Kariesh cheese is produced in equipped factories, but most in farmers’ homes and unlicensed places not under standard requirements for hygienic food production . Cheese could be contaminated by different types of microorganisms during its production, handling, distribution and storage under unhygienic conditions. Contamination with different microorganisms causes cheese spoilage and/or foodborne illnesses . Objective(s): To assess some microbiological parameters of Kariesh cheese, as recommended by the Egyptian standards for Kariesh cheese No.1008/2000. A comparison of Kariesh cheese samples collected from supermarkets and street vendors was carried out. Methods: A total of 270 Kariesh cheese samples were collected in the period between September 2015 and January 2016 from 3 randomly selected Alexandrian districts. Half of the samples (135) were collected from street vendors and the other half was collected from supermarkets. The microbiological tests performed were: total plate count, estimation of total and fecal coliforms, and detection of E. coli , S. aureus as well as yeasts and moulds. Results: According to the Egyptian standard No.1008/2000 for Kariesh cheese parameters, only 6% and 7% of the examined Kariesh samples were satisfactory for yeasts and moulds and total plate count respectively. As regards total coliforms and E.coli , 44% and 48% respectively of the samples were satisfactory, while 39% of the samples were satisfactory for fecal coliforms, and around 90% were for S. aureus. The mean microbial counts in all tested parameters were higher in Kariesh cheese samples sold by street vendors rather than supermarkets, and this was statistically significant . Conclusions: The microbiological parameters of Kariesh cheese in this study showed unacceptable high levels especially among street vendors' samples. Keywords: Kariesh cheese, street vendors, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, E.coli , S. aureus , fungi