Microbiological properties and chemical composition of macedonian traditional white brined cheese

The purpose of this study was to asses the chemical and microbial characteristics of 10 artisanal cheeses made from raw ewe’s milk without addition of starters, during maturation. Microbial populations were numerous and diverse with Lactic acid bacteria and Enterobaceriaceae as a predominant groups of microorganisms. Pathogenic bacteria were not detected. The pH of the cheeses was within the range of 4.04 – 5.05, the moisture content within 46.97 – 51.58%, total protein from 18 – 21.37%, fat content from 26 - 30% and NaCl from 4.38 – 5.43%

Detection of antimicrobial sensitiveness of isolates of Listeria monocytogenes from food chain using Vitek 2 Compact Biomerieux

Sensitivity of 26 Listeria monocytogenes isolates toward 18 antimicrobial substances used in veterinary and human medicine was examined using the automated VITEK 2 Compact system bioMerieux. The obtained results indicate that L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food and food processing environment had resistance to several or more antimicrobial substances that are commonly used in the treatment in animals and humans. Results showed resistance of all 26 (100%) isolates toward Benzylpenicilin, Ampicilin/Sublactam, Oxacillin, Imipenem and Fosfomycine. Also 7 of the isolates (26.9%) were resistant to Clindamiycin, 3 (11.5%) to Quinupristion/Dalfopristin and 1 strain to Teicoplanin, Vancomycin, Tetracycline and Fusic acid, respectively

Assessment of the microbial parameters along the production phases at a dairy plant

The main objective of this paper was to detect the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) in raw milk, to assess the hygiene parameters during the milk processing and to evaluate the safety of the fi nal dairy products using standard ISO methods. Staphylococcus aureus showed highest prevalence of the pathogen microorganisms (85%), followed by Escherichia coli (46%) and Listeria monocytogenes (9.8) in bulk tank milk samples. Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any of the tested samples.The swab samples taken from employees and working surfaces, water samples and pasteurized milk samples detected inadequate sanitary procedures during the phase of milk processing. Analysis of the swabs from employees hands revealed 1 positive sample for enumeration for Enterobacteriaceae and 7 samples with higher total viable count that did not comply withthe legislative, while the analysis of the swabs from working surfaces detected 5 samples positive for Enterobacteriaceae and 4 samples with higher total viable count that did not comply with the same legislative. The analysis of the water samples detected 2 samples with higher total viable count on 22°C, 2 samples for total viable count on 37°C and 1 sample for coliform bacteria that did not comply with the national legislative. None of the samples showed presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, sulphite reducing clostridia and intestinal enterococci. The analysis ofthe pasteurized milk confi rmed 3 samples with presence of Enterobacteriacae, 1 sample for coagulase-positive staphylococci and 2 samples with high total viable count at 30°C that did not comply with the national legislative. The analysis of fermented milk products and cheese samples confirmed the need for immediate corective measures and subsequently, improved sanitation procedures. The testing detected 9 samples of fermented milk products for the Enterobacteriacae criteria and 1 sample for coagulase-positive staphylococci criteria that did not comply with the national legislative. The analysis of cheese identifi ed 4 samples for Escherichia coli and 2 samples for coagulase-positive staphylococci that did not meet the criteria given in the national legislative. The goal of the food safety system in the food production is to assure a safe and reliable product which will lead to consumer safety, satisfaction and future greater confi dence in the company products

Evaluation of the hygiene status in several meat and dairy processing establishments in R. Macedonia

The hygiene practice is one of the most important aspects in the production of safe food. The effectiveness of the cleaning and disinfection programs can be evaluated by continuous examination of the microbiological counts of the surfaces and hands of the workers by taking swabs.In a period of 6 months, 717 swabs were examined, 600 of them from working surfaces, and 117 from employees hands, by using the standard swabbing technique. From the meat production premises 453 swabs were sampled from surfaces and 94 swab samples from workers hands. At the dairy establishments, 147 swabs were taken from the surfaces and 23 swabs from employees hands. The samples were tested for total bacteria viable count according to ISO 4833:2003 and the enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae according to ISO 21528-2:2004, and after that the results were evaluated in accordance with Directive 471/2001/EEC. Obtained results from the meat processing plants were the following: 15.6% were unacceptable for total viable count (TVC) and 7.5% were unacceptable for enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae from the swabs taken from surfaces, and 10.6% and 2.1% respectively from the swabs taken from their workers. The results in the milk processing premises were: 9.5% unacceptable for TVC and 2% unacceptable for enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae from the swabs from their surfaces, and 17.4% and 8.7% respectively from the swabs taken from their workers.The results are indicating that although there is a high level of appropriate hygiene practice in all of the food production premises, there is still a percent of unacceptable results, which suggests a lack of hygiene and can emphasis the need for further improvement of the cleaning and disinfecting techniques especially for the surfaces in the meat processing premises and an improvement in the personal hygiene in the dairy industry

Prevalence of the pathogen microorganisms in raw cow milk

The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of Salmonella spp., Listeria spp., Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli in the raw cow milk. In this study 133 milk-tank samples from several milk collecting points were analysed. After the tests the following prevalence was detected: for Listeria spp. 13 positive samples (9.77%), with 9 Listeria monocytogenes samples confirmed (6.76%). Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the the samples. The biggest presence was detected for Staphylococcus spp. with 113 positive samples (85.0%). Further testes has shown prevalence of coagulase-positive staphylococci of 73% (97 positive samples). Escherichia coli was confirmed in 57 samples (46.0%). The results from this study clearly indicate that pathogen microorganisms which are important for the human health can be found in the raw cow milk and their presence can be potential hazard for contamination of the milk-processing establishments

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in poultry meat and meat products imported in Republic of Macedonia

Campylobacter spp. is leading bacterial cause of diarrhea in human population in all parts of the world. In most of the cases infection with Campylobacter spp. in humans originate from contaminated poultry meat and poultry meat products. This study was designed to estimate prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in meat and meat products imported in Republic of Macedonia. During the period of 8 months (January-August 2008) we tested 56 samples of meat and meat products (poultry meat, MDM, pork meat, beef meat and smoked beef). Samples were submitted to analysis for detection of thermo-tolerant Campylobacter spp. according to ISO 10272:1995. We determined among the analyzed samples highest prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in MDM with 84% positive samples, poultry meat with 81,8%, pork meat with 10%. We didn.t detect any positive samples in beef meat and smoked beef. Overall prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in all tested samples was 55,36%. This study shows that the high prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in tested samples and in correlation with severe symptoms in humans are reasons good enough for the producing and processing poultry meat industry and food business operators so they should take in consideration Campylobacter spp. in their risk assessment and preparation of HACCP plan

Research for role of official veterinary inspector in cross contamination of offal and carcass at slaughterline with use of marker microorganisms

Red meat and poultry meat is subject of legislation presented in Annex IV of Regulation 852/2004/EEC. Regulation is based on principle of individual examination and if necessary, palpation and incision of lymph nodes, offal and where necessary carcass from slaughtered animals at the slaughter line. Potentially pathogenic agents present on the carcass and offal through physical contact (palpation and incision) are source for contamination of the palms and equipment of meat examiner that pose risk for cross contamination. The role of official veterinarian (OV) in transfer of contaminants is extremely important, having in mind that during his work he manipulates with large number of offal and carcasses. To estimate the role of OV in carcass contamination during meat examination in this study we use 12 cattle and 18 sheep sets of organs and afterwards we inoculate them with two laboratory marker microorganisms E. coli K12 and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Offal were divided in groups composed from 6 samples and they were numerated. Examination of the offal is performed from sample number 1 to sample 6 using three different procedures: 1) without washing of hands and knife sanitation between each sample; 2) with washing of hands and without sanitation of the knife between each individual sample; 3) with washing of the hands between each individual sample. After that from each set of offal the number of marker microorganisms were determined and swabs were taken from the equipment that have been used in examination and surface of the hands of OV before and after the examination. From achieved number of marker microorganisms it can be noticed that in procedure where sanitation is not performed there is highest transfer of contamination marker microorganisms, while in procedure where sanitation is performed transfer of contamination have been disrupted and isn’t going further. Swabs token from the equipment and hands of examiner after washing it can be noticed that despite washing there are still markers microorganisms present on the equipment

Quality of raw cow milk in Republic of Macedonia determined through the testing of somatic cell count and total viable count

Somatic cells count and total viable count are criteria used to estimate the compliance of raw cow milk with the Book of rules for demands for safety and hygiene and procedures for official controls of milk and milk products, Official Gazette of RM 157/2007. According to the given demands, raw milk operators are obliged to conduct all procedures and to guarantee that milk is in compliance with the criteria laid down in Book of rules. At the same time, Republic of Macedonia have to fulfill EU criteria laid down in Directive 92/46 (Council directive 92/46/EEC laying down the health rules for the production and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated milk and milkbased products) for quality of raw milk as part of implementation of community legislation and milk production. The independent laboratory for milk quality control at FVM-Skopje, in frame of its activities in the period February- August 2008 has conducted a study for obtaining preliminary results for the situation with raw milk quality produced in R. of Macedonia for somatic cells counts and total viable count. In the study we analyzed 2065 samples for TVC and 1625 samples for SCC of raw milk samples produced in different parts of the country. From the tested samples only 41,8% fulfill criteria for SCC and 41,45% criteria for TVC lay down in Book of rules for 2008. Assessment of the results in light of Council Directive it is obvious that only 42,7% of the samples for SCC and 10,7% for TVC fulfill the criteria of Council Directive having in mind different requirements vs. Book of rules

Implementation of strategies for mastitis control in dairy herds in Macedonia: A case report

Mastitis is probably the most common and costly disease in modern dairy cow husbandry. The aim of the present paper was to report the results concerning udder health after implementation of a specific strategy using both field and laboratory methods. During the period June 2010-December 2011 a total of 674 dairy cows from four dairy farms were included in the investigation. Clinical mastitis was diagnosed by detection of signs of inflammation in the udder, while subclinical mastitis was diagnosed at the animal level by an increased Somatic Cell Count (SCC) using laboratory tests, and subsequently confirmed at quarter level by California Mastitis Test (CMT).Microbiological analysis of the milk samples was carried out by standard procedures using Gram staining, biochemical tests and automated identification system.The distribution of somatic cell counts on cow level (n=674) was:305 (45.3%) with SCC less than 100,000SCC/mL, 236 (35.0%) 100,001 - 350,000 SCC/mL, and 133 (18.7%) with more than 350,000SCC/mL. From a total of 1684 quarters tested by CMT, 644 quarters (38.2%) were positive and 1040 quarters (61.8%) were negative. In 60 out of 101 quarters that had a positive CMT result and no current treatment and that were sampled for bacteriology, bacteria could be isolated. Main bacteria identified, were coagulase - negative staphylococci (40.0%), Streptococcus agalactiae was present in 25.0%, Escherichia coli in 16.6%, Proteus spp. in 11.7% and Staphylococcus aureus in 6.7% of the bacteriological positive samples. After introducing specific mastitis-control measures, focusing on milking hygiene, dry-off treatment, and antibiotic treatment of both clinical and sub-clinical mastitis cases, the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was reduced from 38.2to 10.8%, while the incidence of clinical mastitis decreased from 21.0% to 4.9%.In conclusion, the implementation of a standard mastitis control plan based on a regular assessment of the somatic cell count can reduce the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis in dairy herds

β-Lactamase genes (blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM, blaOXA1 AND blaOXA2) and phylogenetic groups in ESBL producing commensal Escherichia coli isolated from faecal samples from dairy farm in the Municipality of Debar

β-lactamases are a diverse class of enzymes produced by bacteria that present a major cause for resistance to β-lactams. In this study we analysed 159 fecal samples from dairy cows, for the presence of presumptive ESBL, AmpC, and carbapenemase-producing E. coli. Phylotyping was done using Clermont phylo-typing method, targeting arpA, ChuA, and YjaA genes, along with the DNA fragment TspE4.C2. Convetional PCR method was used to confirm the presence of bla genes among 39 phenotypically confirmed ESBL producing E. coli. The results showed presence of CTX-M, SHV, TEM and OXA1 bla genes in 28 (71.79%), 1 (2.56%), 29 (74.35%), 2 (5.12%) of isolates, respectively Twenty (51.28%) isolates showed presence of both blaCTX-M and TEM genes. The strain that carried the blaSHV gene was found to carry blaTEM gene as well, while one of the strains that carried blaOXA1 gene was also carrying blaCTX-M and TEM gene. The ration between isolates and phylo-groups was as follows: 9 (23.07%) strains were assigned to phyllo-group D; 14 (35.89%) to phyllo-group B; 16 (41.02%) to phyllo-group A. Out of the 39 strains where bla genes were identified, 29 (74.35%) were categorized as multi drug resistant