Raw Beef Meat Research Articles

Molecular determination of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from raw meat in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, Ethiopia

BackgroundConsumption of meat contaminated by E. coli causes a serious illness and even death to affected individuals. Recently the emerging of antibiotic resistant foodborne E. coli poses serious public health risks worldwide. However, little is known about the antibiotic resistance profile of E. coli in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) status of E. coli isolated from different type of meat.MethodsOverall 292 samples were collected from December 2015 to April 2016 from slaughterhouses to determine the prevalence and AMR of E. coli isolated from raw beef, mutton, chevon and chicken meat from Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The isolates were screened for AMR against commonly used antibiotics circulating in the Ethiopian market. Both phenotypic and genotypic approach were employed for AMR detection using disc diffusion test and PCR respectively.ResultsThe prevalence of E. coli was 63 (21.6%), indicating one sample in every five samples harbors E. coli. Among these, the highest E. coli isolates was observed in chicken meat samples (37.0%; 27), followed by mutton (23.3%; 17), chevon (20.6%; 15) and beef (5.5%; 4). Results of disk diffusion test on the 63 isolates showed that only 4.8% of them were not resistance to all antimicrobials tested. Multiple drug resistance (resistance to ≥3 drugs) was 46.0%. Significantly high resistance to ampicillin (71.4%) and tetracycline (47.6%) was observed. Identification of genes associated with AMR was also done using PCR. The prevalence of E. coli isolates harboring resistance gene responsible for tetracycline (tet(A)), beta lactams (blaCMY) and sulphanamide (sulI) antibiotics were found 65.1, 65.1 and 54.0%, respectively. Twenty-five out of the 63 (39.7% %) E. coli isolates have got antimicrobial resistance gene to three or more classes of drugs. The associations of antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and resistance genes was also determined. The detection of resistance trait against tetracycline, sulphametazole and chloramphenicol measured either phenotypically or genotypically were high.ConclusionsThe rising levels of resistance E. coli to multiple antimicrobial dictate the urgent need to regulate and monitor antimicrobial use in both animals and humans.

Disposable Amperometric Polymerase Chain Reaction-Free Biosensor for Direct Detection of Adulteration with Horsemeat in Raw Lysates Targeting Mitochondrial DNA.

A novel electrochemical disposable nucleic acid biosensor for simple, rapid, and specific detection of adulterations with horsemeat is reported in this work. The biosensing platform involves immobilization of a 40-mer RNA probe specific for a characteristic fragment of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of horse onto the surface of magnetic microcarriers. In addition, signal amplification was accomplished by using a commercial antibody specific to RNA/DNA duplexes and a bacterial protein conjugated with a horseradish peroxidase homopolymer (ProtA-HRP40). Amperometric detection at -0.20 V vs Ag pseudoreference electrode was carried out at disposable screen-printed carbon electrodes. The methodology achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.12 pM (3.0 attomoles) for the synthetic target and showed ability to discriminate between raw beef and horsemeat using just 50 ng of total extracted mitochondrial DNA (∼16 660 bp in length) without previous fragmentation. The biosensor also allowed discrimination between 100% raw beef and beef meat samples spiked with only 0.5% (w/w) horse meat (levels established by the European Commission) using raw mitochondrial lysates without DNA extraction or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification in just 75 min. These interesting features made the developed methodology an extremely interesting tool for beef meat screening, and it can be easily adapted to the determination of other meat adulterations by selection of the appropriate specific fragments of the mitochondrial DNA region and capture probes.

Detection of E. coli, as a contaminant of minced meat in certain locations of Baqubah city-Diyala Province-Iraq

This survey investigated the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E.coli)in raw minced beef meat collected from different areas of Baqubah city in Diyala Province for detection of contamination with E.coli. A(90) samples were collected at (10)samples from each area in Baqubah city.and different dilutions were made for each one (10-1 , 10-2 , 10-3 ,10-4 ).These sample were pour onto MacConkey Agar and thenstreak onto eosin methylene blue agar(EMB) plates.The results was shown presence of high contamination ratio of the microbial isolation from minced beef meat of E.coli bacteria in different areas of Bagubah city. with positive ( 76.85% ),while negative (23.1%).

Isolation and identification of a novel bacterium, Lactobacillus sakei subsp. dgh strain 5, and optimization of growth condition for highest antagonistic activity.

In the present study, we isolated Lactobacillus sakei strain DGH5 from raw beef meat. This bacterium plays an inhibitory effect against food-spoiling bacteria and food-borne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive and pathogenic bacterium. Lactobacillus sakei strain DGH5 was identified through both phenotypical and biochemical tests accompanied with 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Among all the sources of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous forms, we selected the most potent compounds to optimize the condition for the highest antagonistic activity. Among the sugars, polygalacturonic acid demonstrated to improve the antagonistic activity. Ammonium nitrate demonstrated to be suitable nitrogen sources. Amongst phosphorous sources, disodium hydrogen phosphate had the greatest antagonistic effect. According to Taguchi's orthogonal array, temperature, disodium hydrogen phosphate and soy Peptone had significant effect on antagonistic activity. Furthermore, mean comparisons showed that the optimum conditions achieved at pH 6.0, 25°C temperature, 1.5% (w/v) Na2HPO4 and 0.5% (w/v) peptone.

Molecular Detection of Virulence Genes and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 Isolated from Raw Beef Sold in Abeokuta, South-West Nigeria

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important food-borne pathogen that can cause diarrhea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uremic syndrome. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence, virulence genes and antibiotic resistance patterns of E. coli O157:H7 in raw beef meat sold in Abeokuta, South west Nigeria. One hundred and twenty samples of raw beef meat were collected from four abattoirs and examined for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. The virulence genes (stx1, stx2, eaeA and hlyA) were detected in E. coli O157:H7 isolates by polymerase chain reactions. The antibiotic resistance patterns of the isolates were determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Of 120 samples analyzed, 8 (6.67%) were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, with highest prevalence rate (2.5%) found in beef samples collected from Rounder abattoir. The virulence genes (stx 1 and stx 2 genes) were detected in 7 (87.5%) of E. coli O157:H7 isolates while no eaeA and hlyA genes were found. All the E. coli O157:H7 isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol and sensitive to ciprofloxacin and streptomycin. The results of this study revealed that raw beef meat could be potential vehicles of transmitting multi-drug resistant, shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 to humans. Keywords : Pathogen, E. coli O157:H7, virulence genes, antibiotic-resistance, beef meat

Occurrence, Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and Plasmid Profile of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Raw Beef Meat in Dhaka City

Salmonella is motile enterobacterium that causes diseases like typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and food borne illnesses. Salmonella infections are due to the consumption of contaminated foods. The objective of the present study was to observe the sanitary and hygienic conditions of the retail areas and to isolate pathogenic Salmonella spp from raw beef, to observe antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of Salmonella spp from the raw beef. A total of forty (40) raw beef samples were collected from the sixteen different butcher shops of the four different markets namely Bazaar-1, Bazaar-2, Bazaar-3 and Bazaar-4 of Dhaka City to determine the presence of the significant enteric pathogen Salmonella. From the colony characteristic and biochemical properties, it was found that out of forty samples Salmonella were found in thirty four (85%) samples. The prevalence of drug resistance bacteria were also assayed by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among thirty four isolates, nearly 6% (2), 32% (11), 76% (26), 6%(2) and 32% (12) isolates showed resistance to Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Ampicillin , Gentamycin and Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole respectively. Almost 85%(29), 62%(21), 24% (8), 91% (31), 91% (31)and 68% (23) isolates showed sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Ampicillin,Ciprofloxacin,Gentamycin and Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole respectively Some isolates also showed intermediate in sensitivity reaction for example 3% (1), 6% (2), 3% (1) and 9% (3) isolates showed intermediate in sensitivity reaction to Nitrofurantoin, Ampicillin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and Nitrofurantoin respectively. Twenty four isolates were investigated for the plasmid profile analysis where thirteen isolates (about 54%) were found to carry plasmids of different sizes ranging from small (2.3 kb) to large sizes (>10kb and also greater than the chromosomal DNA). The presence of large plasmids may be a possible source of drug resistance. The results of this study demonstrate the unhygienic quality of beef meat and their risk of contracting food borne infections to the consumers.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 29, Number 1, June 2012, pp 17-22

Antimicrobial Resistance, Biofilm Formation and mecA Characterization of Methicillin-Susceptible S. aureus and Non-S. aureus of Beef Meat Origin in Egypt.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been found in various farm animal species throughout the world. Yet, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), methicillin-susceptible non-S. aureus (MS-NSA), and methicillin-resistant non-S. aureus (MR-NSA) were not investigated. Therefore, we persued to determine the diversity in their phenotypic virulence assay, phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profile and molecular characterization in one of the food chains in Egypt. Samples were collected during 2013 from beef meat at retail. Twenty seven isolates comprising five species (S. hyicus, S. aureus, S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans, S. intermedius, and S. lentus) were characterized for their antibiotic resistance phenotypic profile and antibiotic resistance genes (mecA, cfr, gyrA, gyrB, and grlA). Out of the 27 Staphylococcus isolates only one isolate was resistant to the 12 antibiotics representing nine classes. Raw beef meat sold across the Great Cairo zone, contains 66.7% of MRS, with highest prevalence was reported in S. aureus (66.7%), while the MRS non-S. aureus strains constituted 66.7% from which S. hyicus (60%), S. intermedius (33.3%), S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans (100%), and S. lentus (100%) were MRS. Seven S. aureus, six S. hyicus, four S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans, three S. intermedius, and one S. lentus isolates although being resistant to oxacillin yet, 11/27 (40.7%) carried the mecA gene. At the same time, the cfr gene was present in 2 of the nine S. aureus isolates, and totally undetectable in S. hyicus, S. schleiferi subsp. coagulans, S. intermedius, and S. lentus. Although, global researches largely focused into MRSA and MR-NSA in animals on pigs, the analysis of our results stipulates, that buffaloes and cattle could be MRSA dispersers and that this theme is not specific to pigs. Detection of MSSA virulence determinants is a must, as although oxacillin resistance may be absent yet, the MSSA may carry the virulence determinants which could be a source of perilous S. aureus for the human community.

Prevalence of eae-positive, lactose non-fermenting Escherichia albertii from retail raw meat in China.

Escherichia albertii is a newly emerging enteric pathogen that has been associated with gastroenteritis in humans. Recently, E. albertii has also been detected in healthy and sick birds, animals, chicken meat and water. In the present study, the prevalence and characteristics of the eae-positive, lactose non-fermenting E. albertii strains in retail raw meat in China were evaluated. Thirty isolates of such strains of E. albertii were identified from 446 (6·73%) samples, including duck intestines (21·43%, 6/28), duck meat (9·52%, 2/21), chicken intestines (8·99%, 17/189), chicken meat (5·66%, 3/53), mutton meat (4·55%, 1/22) and pork meat (2·44%, 1/41). None was isolated from 92 samples of raw beef meat. Strains were identified as E. albertii by phenotypic properties, diagnostic PCR, sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, and housekeeping genes. Five intimin subtypes were harboured by these strains. All strains possessed the II/III/V subtype group of the cdtB gene, with two strains carrying another copy of the I/IV subtype group. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed high genetic diversity of E. albertii in raw meats. Our findings indicate that E. albertii can contaminate various raw meats, posing a potential threat to public health.

Development the detection method of Sarcocystis DNA from stool specimen as the proof for foodborne cases

Purpose: Sarcocystosis is parasitic infectious disease caused by protozoan apicomplexan parasite of the genus Sarcocystis. Sarcocystis are globally distributed, and have a two-host cycle, generally with carnivores or omnivores as definitive hosts (DH) and herbivores as intermediate hosts (IH). Humans can serve as definitive hosts for S. hominis and S. suihominis after eating raw meat from cattle and pig, respectively. In Japanese cuisine, raw horse meat is known as “Basashi”, and it is popular in some regions of Japan. To date, “Basashi” has been known as safe food from the risk of contamination by parasite compared with raw beef meat or raw pork meat. However, between 2009, June and 2014, Jan., 48 cases of gastroenteritis with unknown sources, but ate raw horse meat was reported. Since Sarcocystis fayeri was reported as possibly the causative agent, the issue on food safety for consumption of raw horse meat has been concerned. To prove the food poisoning, the evidence from both of food and patient is important, but suspicious meat sample is not always remained, thus testing meat if it contain infectious agents is difficult. In this study, to develop an alternative tool is focused on to investigate parasitic DNA that might be contained in stool of patients when the leftover raw horse meat is not available. Methods: Using spike experiment with genomic DNA of Sarcocystis sp. and bradyzoites originally obtained from sarcocyst in horse meat, try to detect the parasitic DNA from stool specimens derived from a patient who is obviously not associated with any food poisoning cases. Recombinant plasmid DNA contained target region of S. fayeri. 18S rRNA gene was used to spike experiment and to detect parasitic DNA from stool samples, nested PCR was carried out. Results: Specific bands of spiked 10 copies of plasmid DNA containing 18S rRNA genes of S. fayeri was identified with gel electrophoresis under the UVtransilluminator. Conclusions: When the leftover meat is not available, detection of specific DNA for Sarcocystis sp. from stool specimens derived from patients who is involved with gastroenteritis can be useful. This method can be used as diagnostic tool to investigate foodborne cases that is responsible for eating raw horse meat.

Total and haem iron content lean meat cuts and the contribution to the diet

This study provides data on the total and haem iron contents in raw lean beef, chicken, lamb and pork meat samples. Total iron, expressed as mg/100g edible portion on fresh weight basis in raw lean beef (A-age), lamb, pork and chicken average 1.58, 1.64, 0.81 and 0.78, respectively. The haem iron content in beef (A-age), lamb, pork and chicken are 77%, 81%, 88% and 74% respectively of total iron. This has important dietary implications in calculating haem iron fractions of meat as this is higher than the common value used in the Monsen equation.

The bactericidal activity of acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes on raw fish, chicken and beef surfaces

The bactericidal efficacy of acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water (AC-EW) (pH = 2.30, free chlorine = 38 ppm) and sterile distilled water (DW) on three pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7 Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes) inoculated on raw trout skin, chicken legs and beef meat surfaces was evaluated. The decontaminating effect of AC-EW and DW was tested for 0 (control), 1, 3, 5 and 10 min at 22 °C. AC-EW significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the three pathogens in the inoculated samples compared to the control and DW. The level of reduction ranged between ca.1.5–1.6 logs for E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium in the inoculated foods. However, AC-EW exhibited less bactericidal effect against L. monocytogenes (1.1–1.3 logs reduction). AC-EW elicited about 1.6–2.0 log reduction in the total mesophilic count. Similar treatment with DW reduced pathogens load by ca. 0.2–1.0 log reduction and total mesophiles by ca. 0.5–0.7 logs. No complete elimination of the three pathogens was obtained using AC-EW possibly because of the level of organic matter and blood moving from food samples to the AC-EW solution. This study demonstrates that AC-EW could considerably reduce common foodborne pathogens in fish, chicken and beef products.

Vancomycin-resistance phenotypes, vancomycin-resistance genes, and resistance to antibiotics of enterococci isolated from food of animal origin.

In the present study, 500 raw beef, pork, and chicken meat samples and 100 pooled egg samples were analyzed for the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, vancomycin-resistance phenotypes, and resistance genes. Of 141 isolates of enterococci, 88 strains of Enterococcus faecium and 53 strains of E. faecalis were identified. The most prevalent species was E. faecium. Resistance to ampicillin (n = 93, 66%), ciprofloxacin (n = 74, 52.5%), erythromycin (n = 73, 51.8%), penicillin (n = 59, 41.8%) and tetracycline (n = 52, 36.9%) was observed, while 53.2% (n = 75) of the isolates were multiresistant and 15.6% (n = 22) were susceptible to all antibiotics. Resistance to vancomycin was exhibited in 34.1% (n = 30) of the E. faecium isolates (n = 88) and 1.9% (n = 1) of the E. faecalis isolates (n = 53) using the disc-diffusion test and the E-test. All isolates were tested for vanA and vanB using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR, and for vanC, vanD, vanE, vanG genes using multiplex PCR only. Among E. faecalis isolates, no resistance genes were identified. Among the E. faecium isolates, 28 carried the vanA gene when tested by multiplex PCR and 29 when tested with real-time PCR. No isolate carrying the vanC, vanD, vanE, or vanG genes was identified. Melting-curve analysis of the positive real-time PCR E. faecium isolates showed that 22 isolates carried the vanA gene only, 2 isolates the vanB2,3 genes only, and seven isolates carried both the vanA and vanB2,3 genes. Enterococci should be considered a significant zoonotic pathogen and a possible reservoir of genes encoding resistance potentially transferred to other bacterial species.

Bovine Cysticercosis and Human Taeniosis in Adama Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in cattle slaughtered at Adama municipal abattoir in southwest Shoa zone of Oromia region to estimate the prevalence of bovine cystiercosis using routine meat inspection method and questionnaire surveys were undertaken to assess the status of human taeniosis and associated risk factors. Out of 384 carcasses examined, 2.6% were to be infected with Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis). Among positive cases for C. bovis, 78% were viable while it was more prevalent in the tongue and triceps muscle (40%, 24%) than in the liver masseter muscle (10% 6%) respectively. Based on the questionnaire survey, Taenia saginata (T. saginata) is a wide spread problem in Adama town where Out of 200 respondents 44% of the respondents had contracted T. saginata at least once in the past years. The prevalence of taeniosis was significantly higher (p<0.000) in the raw meat consumers as compared to those consuming cooked meat. The annual taenicidal drug treatment cost by prescription in the study area from 2012-2014 was 378,609.66 Ethiopian birr which is equivalent to 18930.48 USD. The drug inventory clearly demonstrated the economic significance of T. saginata in the study area. Among respondents 85% of them do have a knowledge that taeniosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted through consumption of raw beef meat. In conclusion, C. bovis and T. saginata are among important health zoonotic cestodes in the study areas. Improvement in meat inspection procedures and sanitary conditions as well as public education as to decrease negligence among public should get due attention.

Phenotypic and genotypic studies on Escherichia coli strains isolated from food products of animal origin

Foodstuffs of animal origin may present hazards, due to bacterial contamination. This study was conducted to determine Escherichia coli in some types of animal source foods (raw milk, raw beef meat and raw poultry meat). Bacteriological examination of total 246 raw food samples of animal origin, raw milk, (105); beef meat (31) and poultry meat (110) were collected from different localities in Ismailia City showed that 64/246 (26.01%) of samples were infected with E. coli. Serological identification of (10) E. colistrains revealed that they were belonged to O111 polyvalent 1; O44 polyvalent 2 (2 strains for each); O78 polyvalent 4; O146 polyvalent 2; O26 polyvalent 1; O119 polyvalent 1; O86 polyvalent 1 and O18 polyvalent 3 (1 strain for each). E. coli strains showed high susceptible rate to Ciprofloxacin (CIP), (100%) and high resistance (100%) to Ampicillin (AMP), Metronidazole (MTZ), Amoxicillin (AML), and Vancomycin (VAS). Four strains of the isolated E. coli were submitted to molecular studies for detection of the eaeA (protein intimin), iutA (encoding aerobactin) and iss (increased serum survival protein) genes, by using PCR technique.

Influence of the cold storage time of raw beef meat and grilling parameters on sensory quality and content of heterocyclic aromatic amines

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) are one of the most cancerogenic and mutagenic compounds present in food products. Thus, the researches on discovering new factors influencing formation of HAAs in food as well as the ways of reduction these compounds in food products are one of the main directions in food science. These investigations should led to the production of tasty food with significantly decrease content of HAAs. Unfortunately, there is no scientific research which are investigating the concentration of HAA together with the sensory properties of the products (e.g. grilled beef meat). The performance of the typical grilling process (180 °C and 280 °C) of beef meat (rib eye, sirloin and roast beef) stored in a raw state during 5 and 15 days in cooling condition and, than sensory evaluation and determination of correlation between overall sensory quality and content of HAA was the objective of presented study. This experiment confirmed that through proper selection parameters of culinary processing parameters such as thermal meat processing, the type of the culinary element of the beef meat and time of its storage in cooling conditions it is possible to ensure high overall sensory quality along with low content of HAA forming during grilling.

Occurrence of Clostridium difficile in seasoned hamburgers and seven processing plants in Iran.

BackgroundThe recent increment of the incidence of Community Associated Clostridium difficile Infection (CA)-CDI has led to speculation that this disease is associated to foodborne transmission. Therefore it is critical to establish the community sources of CDI in order to implement the appropriate interventions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of C. difficile in seasoned hamburger and examine the sources of C. difficile dispersal in hamburger processing plants. A total of 211 samples including hamburger ingredients, the final product, processing equipment and food contact surfaces were collected from seven hamburger processing plants to evaluate the routes of dispersal of C. difficile. The samples were assessed for the occurrence of C. difficile using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. All isolates were screened for the existence of toxin A, B and binary toxin genes. In addition, isolates were subjected to PCR ribotyping.ResultsOverall, 9/211 (4.2%) samples were positive. Toxigenic C. difficile were detected from 2/7 (28.5%) hamburger processing plants, in (3/54) 5.6% of beef meat samples, (2/56) 3.5% of swabs taken from the environment and (4/56) 7.1% of hamburger samples after both molding and freezing. C. difficile was not found in 45 non-meat ingredients including 14 defrosted onions, 14 textured soy proteins and 17 seasonings. All isolates contained tcdB gene while 7 strains were positive for tcdA and two remaining strains were negative for tcdA. None of the isolates harbored binary toxin gene (cdtB). PCR ribotyping of 9 isolates categorized into four ribotypes (IR21, IR 22, IR 23 and IR24). Ribotype IR 22 was the most common type 6/9 (66.6%) found. This genotype was isolated from raw meat, environmental samples and hamburger after both forming and freezing in one processing plant, suggesting raw beef meat as a possible major source of contamination.ConclusionsHyper-virulent strains of ribotype were not found in this study however, occurrence of other toxicgenic strains indicate the public health significance of contamination of this product.

Minerals Concentration and Textural Properties of Beef Raw and Cooked Meat and Offal

Abstract. Introduction: Consumers preferences for solid food are, for the majority of foods groups, influenced by their textural properties. Romanian traditional cuisine is rich in meat foods and therefore this food group has an important contribution to the total mineral intake as well as the ingestion of potentially toxic metals such as Cd and Pb. Although beef liver is an important source of minerals for human consumption, its concentrations in Cd and Pb and heterogeneous textural properties may hinder its acceptability. Aims: The purpose of the work was to estimate raw and cooked beef meat and offal mineral quality including Cd and Pb concentrations and their contribution to a balanced human diet and health as well as the influenced of thermal preparation on their mineral and textural properties. Materials and methods : Beef liver, kidney and longissimus dorsi muscle were bought from local markets. Thermal preparation was conducted by microwave and boiling with no water contact. Texture profile analyses was conducted for quantifying textural properties such as Hardness , Cohesiveness, Springiness, Springiness Index, Chewiness, Adhesiveness and Stiffness. The mineral concentrations of the raw and cooked samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. Conclusion: The offal textural parameters variability was very large within the same organ and compared to the muscle textural parameters variability too. Muscle and offal thermal preparation strongly influenced their minerals’ concentrations as well as their textural properties. Thermal preparation significantly decreased beef liver and kidney samples’ total K and Na concentrations. It is suggested that for improving beef liver acceptability, the consumer has to be advised on the influence of the thermal preparation on beef liver parts’ textural properties as well as minerals concentrations.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Campylobacter species Isolated From Chicken and Beef Meat

Background: To study prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in chicken and beef meat, and determine the drug susceptibility of strains, 450 samples in Tehran, Iran were investigated. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the antimicrobial resistance of entropathogenic Campylobacter strains ,especially C. jejuni isolated from raw chicken and beef meat in Tehran- Iran. Materials and Methods: Out of 250 chickens and 200 beef meats, 121(26.8 %) contaminated cases with Campylobacter strains were isolated. Campylobacter was isolated from a significantly larger number of chickens (44%) than beef meats (5.5 %) (P < 0.05). Results: From all isolated Campylobacter organisms, 93 (76.8%) species were identified as C. jejuni and 28 cases (23.1%) as C. coli. Susceptibilities of 121 strains (93 C. jejuni and 28 C. coli) were determined against 12 antimicrobial drugs using the disk agar diffusion method. Resistance to nalidixic acid (75%) and ciprofloxacin (50%) was an alarming finding, moreover, 32.6% of isolates was resistant to tetracycline, 10.8% to ampicillin, 29.3% to colisitin and 26.1% to amoxicillin. The highest sensitivity was seen to erythromycin (95 %) and gentamicin (96%). Conclusions: These results showed that a high proportion of chicken and beef meat in Iran is contaminated with Campylobacter, particularly with Campylobacter jejuni. The high rate of contamination, especially chicken is a significant public health concern. Most of the isolates were resistant; therefore, human infection with Campylobacter spp. via consumption of these products is possible.

Analysis of pork meat using loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to confirm halal status

A method has been developed for identifying species from pork samples by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) analysis of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) mitochondrial DNA D-loop region. DNA was extracted from raw and cooked pork and beef meat and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and LAMP. Approximately 185 base-pair PCR products were found in the pork meat samples after amplification of the D-loop region. LAMP products only showed a smear band with the pork samples. Moreover, by adding CuSO4 to the LAMP product, the white Cu(OH)2 precipitate, which formed a ring-shaped deposit, was not seen in the pork samples, but was seen in the beef and negative control samples. Our finding showed the LAMP technique to be a powerful molecular-biological method for species identification. The addition of CuSO4 to the LAMP product is an alternative method that can be used in field studies, and does not require any gelelectrophoresis apparatus.

Bio protection and preservation of raw beef meat using pungent aromatic plant substances

This study examined the effectiveness of three individual spice (clove, cinnamon and oregano) extracts and their combinations in raw beef meat during refrigerated storage. Meat samples were monitored for microbiological (total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Pseudomonas spp.) and physicochemical (pH, colour and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)) attributes. Samples treated with the combination of all three spice extracts showed lower bacterial counts and better L*, a* and b* values among treated samples during the storage period. Positive and negative control samples had the highest TBARS values at the end of the storage period. With the addition of spice extracts, TBARS values in raw beef samples were retarded effectively (P < 0.05) compared with control samples, especially when the combination of all three spice extracts was used. The results of this study show that spice extracts were effective in inhibiting the growth of microbial populations and retarding lipid oxidation during refrigerated storage (4 °C) of raw beef meat. They also suggest that combinations of these extracts may have potential as natural preservatives in raw meat products.