Bacterial profile of retail rabbit carcasses marketed in Beni-Suef province, Egypt

Abstract EN

The current study aimed to evaluate the bacteriological status of retail rabbit carcasses marketed in Beni-Suef province, Egypt.

For such aim, a total of 25 fresh rabbit carcasses were randomly collected from different rabbit markets in Beni-Suef during 2015.

The collected samples were subjected to determination of aerobic plate count (APC) at 35 °C, and most probable number (MPN) of coliforms, faecal coliforms and E.

coli, in addition to isolation and identification of E.

coli (true faecal type), Salmonella spp.

and Yersinia enterocolitica.

The obtained results revealed that 32, 64, 72 and 52 % of examined rabbit meat samples from shoulder, loin, rib and thigh regions, respectively, exceeded the acceptable limits recommended by Egyptian standards for APC (105 CFU/g flesh).

While none of the examined samples exceeded the international standards (107 CFU/g) stated by the International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods (ICMSF).

Regarding the pathogenic microorganisms, it was found that 11 (44 %), 8 (32 %), 15 (60 %) and 10 (40 %) out of 25 rabbit cuts contained E.

coli biotype I in shoulder, loin, rib and thigh regions, respectively.

However, 3 (12%), 3 (12%), 3 (12%) and 2 (8%) samples contained Salmonella spp., and 3 (12%), 3 (12%), 6 (24%) and 7 (28%) contained Yersinia enterocolitica, respectively.

The public health significance of isolated pathogens and their sources of contamination were discussed throughout the study