The Incidence of Human Pathogenic Bacteria in Fresh Camel Milk Marketed Within Tripoli City Area

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of human pathogenic bacteria: Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in 144 fresh camel milk samples displayed for sale in some shops located within Tripoli city area, during the period from July to October 2012. Due to the importance of faecal indicators in predicting possible contamination with pathogenic microorganisms, particularly intestinal pathogenic bacteria, the counts of total coliform group and thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms were also determined and the presence of Escherichia coli was detected in the milk samples.

Presence of the total coliform group was recorded in all milk samples, i.e. 100 %, and the most probable number (MPN index) of this group ranged between 4.6 ᵡ 10²/ml to more than 1.1 ᵡ 10³/ml. The incidence percentage of the thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms in the milk samples was 90.27 %, and the MPN Index for these bacteria ranged between less than 3 to more than 1.1 ᵡ 10³/ml, while  the incidence percentage of E. coli which represent the most dependable faecal indicator was 60 %.

The obtained results indicate that 92 (63.89 %) out of the total samples included in this study, contained one or more of the targeted pathogenic bacteria. Thus, these samples are considered beyond the acceptable limits for the Jordanian standard specification for fresh milk, which, states that fresh milk should be free of pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins. The incidence of coagulase positive S. aureus was recorded in 56 samples (38.89 %), and Salmonella was isolated from only two samples (1.39 %) out of the total samples while, the presence of  E. coli O157 and L. monocytogenes were not detected in any sample.

The high counts of faecal indicators in most of the samples, and the incidence of two types of the targeted pathogenic bacteria in some samples of the fresh camel milk obtained from the selling shops included in this study, reflect the poor quality of these samples which might pose a serious threat to human health. Therefore, in order to avoid the occurrence of food infections and intoxications, good hygienic practices should be applied, and the role of regular sanitary inspection in these shops should be activated. Improving farmers awareness regarding the importance of the hygienic requirements during milking, handling, storage, transportation and marketing processes is required, in addition to educating consumers concerning the importance of heat treatment of fresh milk before drinking.

Key Words: Fresh camel milk, faecal indicators, and human pathogenic bacteria.

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*Corresponding Author:  Nuri S. Madi. Food Science and Technology Dep., Fac. of Agric., Univ. of Tripoli.

Phone. +218926321238.  E-mail: madinuri@yahoo.com