MICROBIAL QUALITY OF BEEF SOLD ON SELECTED MARKETS IN THE TAMALE METROPOLIS IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The microbial quality of beef sold in five most popular meat shops in the Tamale Metropolis was assessed in order to ascertain its safety. The meat shops were selected from Aboabo, Central (external), Central (internal), Nyohini, and Sakasaka markets. The total bacterial count was used as index of quality. A total of 100 beef samples were collected in two successive visits. The samples were stored under 4 °c for transportation to the laboratory. Microbiological analysis was carried out immediately upon arrival in the laboratory under aseptic conditions. Beef samples from Sakasaka had the highest mean total bacterial count of 1.67x 10^6 cfu/cm2, followed by Aboabo (5.75x 10^5 cfu/cm2), Central Market (internal) (4.325x 10^5 cfu/cm2), Nyohini (3.875x 10^5 cfu/cm2) and Central Market (internal) (4.325x10^5 cfu/cm2), While their mean log counts were 6.22, 5.76, 5.64, 5.59 and 5.57 for Sakasaka, Aboabo, Central Market (internal), Nyohini and Central Market (internal), respectively. Bacterial species isolated from the beef samples were Escherichia coli, Streptococcus species, Salmonella species and Staphylococcus species.