A total of 75 random samples of ready-to eat street vended meat products sandwiches represented by hawawshi, liver sandwiches (kibda) and shawerma (25 of each) were collected from different street vendors during the period extended from January to March 2016 from Alexandria province. Samples were subjected to microbiological examination for determination of aerobic plate count (APC), Enterobacteriaceae count (EC), Coliforms count (CC), Staphylococci count, mould and yeast count. In addition, isolation and identification of E. coli were attempted. The obtained results revealed that the mean values of APC of hawawshi, liver sandwiches and shawerma were 8.9×105±1.1×105, 5.2×105±1.3×105 and 5.4×105±1.2×105CFU/g, respectively. Also, the mean values of EC of hawawshi, liver sandwiches and shawerma were 1.2×104± 1.7×103, 1.9×104± 2.6×103 and 6.3×104 ±5.2 ×103 CFU/g, respectively. In addition, the mean values of CC of hawawshi, liver sandwiches and shawerma were 9.2×102± 1.1×102, 6.8×102± 1.4×102 and 8.6×102 ± 1.3×102 CFU/g, respectively. Moreover, the mean values of Staphylococci mould and yeast counts were recorded. The obtained results were compared with the Egyptian Standards. The incidence of E. coli isolated from hawawshi, liver sandwiches and shawerma was 24, 32 and 28%, respectively and serological identification of the obtained isolates clarified the detection of E. coli O86: k61 and E. coli O119: k69 (Enteropathogenic strain), E. coli O26:k60 (Enterohaemorrhagic strain), E. coli O126: k71 (Enterotoxigenic strain), and E. coli O124: k72 (Enteroinvasive strain) in various rates. Based on the obtained results in the current work, it is clear that ready-to eat street vended meat products sandwiches sold in Alexandria governorate constitutes a likely potential hazard to human health. This is due to high microbiological load and isolation of specific pathogens as E. coli at which presence of such microorganisms in ready - to - eat (RTE) food constitute a significant risk and render this type of food of low quality and unfit for human.
Key words: Street vended meat meals, Microbial assessment, E. coli
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