Microbial characteristics of hamburgers distributed in Tehran in 2021-2022
Subject Areas : Food Hygiene
Kaveh Moslehi
1
,
Mohammad Hosein Movassagh
2
*
1 - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran
Keywords: Microbial Contamination, Hamburger, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus ,
Abstract :
Meat products are rich in various nutritive substances and can easily be attacked by different microorganisms. This study investigated the microbial quality of hamburgers distributed in Tehran, focusing on the susceptibility of meat products to various microorganisms. From December 2021 to March 2022, a total of 50 hamburger samples -25 industrial and 25 handmade- were randomly collected from different supply centers in the city. The microbial quality was assessed according to the National Standards, measuring total microbial counts and identifying contaminants such as Salmonella, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, mold, and yeast. Results indicated that the average total microbial count for industrial hamburgers was 4.08±0.22 log CFU/g, with E. coli at 65.33±44.24 MPN/g, and mold and yeast at 3.46±0.25 log CFU/g. In contrast, handmade hamburgers had significantly higher counts: 6.11±0.22 log CFU/g for total microbial count, 250.99±174.32 MPN/g for E. coli, and 5.09±0.25 log CFU/g for mold and yeast. Notably, none of the samples tested positive for Salmonella, and coagulase-positive S. aureus levels remained within acceptable limits. However, 48% of homemade hamburger samples exceeded national standards for total microbial count, while 12% exceeded for E. coli; industrial samples showed no exceedances. Concerning mold and yeast contamination, 76% of industrial samples and all handmade samples surpassed the national standard. Overall, handmade hamburgers exhibited significantly higher levels of microbial contamination than their industrial counterparts in Tehran.