Changes in microbiological properties of boneless beef in a one-year study

Abstract

A total of 240 boneless beef samples from two cities in Thrace were analysed for aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic bacteria, coliforms, E coli S. aureus, yeasts-moulds and Salmonella spp. Monthly changes and differences in bacteria counts were determined from January to December. The mean values of APC, psychrotrophic bacteria, coliforms, E coli, S. aureus, yeasts-moulds for the samples from Edirne and Canakkale were 6.08,5.21,4.41,4.25,2.53,2.25,1.66,1.64,1.99, 1.73,3.90 and 3.62 log(10) cfu/g, respectively. Salmonella spp. were not detected in any boneless beef samples. There was a correlation between bacteria counts and climate when comparing the average monthly changes in temperature and humidity of the two cities and the microbiological quality of boneless beef Results clearly showed that all necessary hygienic precautions must be taken especially in the summer months during which weather temperatures and bacteria counts of boneless beef were higher than in cooler months.