Study and microbial evaluation of homemade meat meals sold in the markets of the city of Al Bayda – Libya

Abstract

Background: Home-cooked meals were frequently linked to foodborne diseases. Microbial contamination of meals depends on many factors: handling and preparing of foods, the environment and quality of raw materials, and also habits of cooks. People who sell such meals for customers with lower income in the street are at risk from foodborne diseases and a need for periodical control to protect them. Deleterious microorganisms present in food may produce toxins and other harmful substances; some may spoil foods and cause off-odors and off-flavors. Objective: the aim of this study is to evaluate microbial contamination in home-made meat and meals sold in the markets of the city of Al-Bayda – Libya Methods: This study evaluated 40 samples of home-prepared meat in the city of Al-Bayda(20 red meat meals and 20 poultry meat samples). All samples were tested for the total number of viable bacteria, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, psychoactive and Anaerobic bacteria, mold count, and yeast count Results: The study showed that the average number of home meals red meat and processed poultry were 14.63 x 106, 19.19 x 105,10.35 x 510, 16.04 x 105, 104 x 3.8, and 7.39 x 105 CFU/g, respectively. The percentage of Staphylococcus aureus is 46.4% and 40% in processed red meat and poultry meals, respectively. Conclusion: The research showed that aerobic Bacteria did not grow in all the meals that were tested, and these results demonstrated the importance of this, which gave a serious indication that all home-prepared meat is dangerous to human health.