Molecular studies on toxigenic strains of bacillus cereus isolated from some meat products.

1Ashraf A. Abd El Tawab,1Fatma I. El-Hofy,2Dalia F. Khater and 2YAHYA M. AL-Baaly

Abstract

A total of 120 random samples of meat products including luncheon, sausage, minced meat and beef burger (30 from each) were collected from different supermarkets in Gharbia Governorate. The collected samples were transferred directly to the laboratory to be examined bacteriologically for the detection of B. cereus. All samples were cultured at 37°C for 24 hours aerobically on selective media (PEMBA) for isolation and purification and on sheep blood agar to observe the hemolysis properties. The results revealed that the incidence of B. cereus was 20%, 36.37%, 40% and 56.67% in luncheon, beef burger, sausage and Minced meat, respectively. The suspected colonies were examined for their colonial morphology, microscopical examination, and biochemical reactions.VITEK2 BCL Card was used for more identification of B. cereus strains. The public health hazards of the isolated strains were discussed.

Key words

meat products, B. cereus, identification.