Prevalence of Escherichia coli in milk and different milk products sold under market conditions at Lahore

Abstract

Milk and milkproducts are an important part of our diet. Quality of food counts much forhuman health, especially in developing countries where proper hygienicfacilities are not practiced. In the present study 120 samples (60 from areasof better sanitation and 60 from those of poor sanitation) of milk anddifferent milk products like Rasgulla, Gulabjamun, Barfi, Khoa and Dahi werescreened for the comparative analysis of presence, absence and abundance ofEscherichia coli. An overall 54% samples were contaminated with Escherichiacoli. Number and ratio of contaminations was greater in samples from areas ofpoor sanitation than those of better sanitation as expected. Whereas C.F.Ucounts of Dahi (yogurt) for both areas were amazingly higher counted up to212.16±17.54×103 and 189.35±3.42×103 for the poor and better sanitation areas,respectively. Visualization of the milk products in terms of their cultivableE. coli contents declare fecal contamination and a possible route fortravelling of enteric pathogens.