Journal of Food: Microbiologia, Segurança e Higiene
Acesso livre

Abstrato

Isolation and Molecular Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in Minced Meat, Frozen Chicken and Cheese in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Saman Said Taha Said Ahmed*, Bizhar Ahmed Tayeb, Alind Mahmood Ameen, Sowaila Mekaeel Merza and Yousif Hamed Mohammed Sharif

Aims: Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is the food-borne pathogen responsible for listeriosis. It is considered a serious public health risk, and is spread through the consumption of food products. The disease can be fatal to humans and animals. The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify L. monocytogenes from frozen chicken, minced meat, and cheese in Duhok province, Iraq.

Methodology and Results: Between March and October 2015, equal numbers (n=50) of samples of minced meat, frozen chicken, and cheese were collected (total n=150). Biochemical and microbiological tests, including real-time PCR, were performed to determine the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in the samples. Out of 150 samples, 20 displayed greyish/black colonies with black halos on Oxford and Palcam agar. of these putative Listeria, 12 were subsequently identified as L. monocytogenes by PCR. L. monocytogenes was detected in 1 (2%), 7 (14%), and 4 (8%) of isolates from cheese, minced meat, and frozen chicken, respectively.

Conclusion: Significance and Impact of study: Detection of pathogenic bacteria in foods, such as those analysed in this study, is crucial for safeguarding public health. The qPCR technique offers a rapid and reliable method for isolation of many foodborne pathogens in different kinds of foods.