MICROBIAL QUALITY OF BEEF IN THE YENDI MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA

Abstract

The microbial quality of beef, table and apron in five meat retail shops in the Yendi Municipality of Ghana was investigated in order to ascertain their safety. The shops were selected from Central market A (external), Central market A (internal), Central market B, Central mosque and Taxi rank. A total of 45 samples were collected, 9 from each meat shop (retailer). The samples were stored under 4oC for transportation to the laboratory. Microbiological analysis was carried out immediately upon arrival in the laboratory under aseptic conditions. Beef, table and apron samples from Central market B had the highest mean total bacterial count of 5.8×107 cfu/cm2 followed by Taxi rank (9.5×106 cfu/cm2), Central mosque (1.5×106 cfu/cm2), Central market A (external) (1.0×106 cfu/cm2) and Central market A (internal) (8.1×105 cfu/cm2). Mean bacterial count of beef, table and apron were 5.0×106 cfu/cm2, 3.7×107 cfu/cm2 and 3.1×105 cfu/cm2, respectively. Table surface bacterial count from Central market B was significantly higher (p<0.05) than bacterial counts from the other samples. Bacterial species identified on the beef, apron and table samples were Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Proteus spp., and Bacillus spp. Among the five meat shops/retailers sampled, Central market B was the most contaminated shop. Table surfaces were also the most contaminated source compared to beef and apron. Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli were the most common identified bacteria. There is the need for improvement is the standard of selling meat in the Yendi Municipality.