| Purpose – This paper aims to evaluate the microbial quality of some traditional cheese samples (sheep, cow
and koopeh cheeses) consumed in northwest of Iran, and to detect Shiga-like-toxin-producing Escherichia coli
(STEC) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in cheese samples by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) method.
Design/methodology/approach – Almost half of the project was based on counting the population of
Staphylococcus aureus, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, also the other
section was related to the isolation and the detection of the STEC and MRSA in cheese samples. The findings
were compared with standard maximum and threshold values.
Findings – The results revealed that 36.99, 30.14 and 100%of cheeses exceeded the standard threshold value
of E. coli (102), total coliforms (104) and S. aureus (102). However, total coliforms, in any of the cheese samples
examined, did not reach themaximumvalue and only 24.66% of samples exceeded the maximum value of E. coli.
Also, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in counts of each bacterial group examined in sheep, cow and koopeh
cheeses was observed. The colony PCR method demonstrated the existence of 19 MRSA and 2 STEC isolates.
Originality/value – This research showed a general overview of the bacterial quality of cheeses in
northwest of Iran. |