Contamination of chicken carcasses displayed in the markets of the city of Al-Bayda –Libya

Abstract

The study was conducted to detect the degree of bacterial contamination in chicken carcasses displayed in the markets of Al-Bayda city by estimating some evidence of bacterial contamination. All laboratory tests were carried out in the Department of Animal Production - Faculty of Agriculture - Omar Al-Mukhtar University during January 2024. 27 samples were collected from chicken meat markets from three different areas within Al-Bayda city, designated as areas A, B, C, at three different times after the time of slaughter. Three types of bacteria were estimated as an indicator of contamination, namely E. coli, Salmonella and total count. The results obtained were compared with the international standard specifications for chicken carcasses. The results showed that all samples were contaminated with pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and Salmonella). The number of E. coli colonies in the samples immediately after slaughter in area B was 4.03×104 CFU/g, in area A 1.917×104 CFU/g and in area C 3.73×104 CFU/g. The location of the sample had no significant effect immediately after slaughter. After 12 hours of slaughter and display in the markets, the number of E. coli colonies in area B was 17.68×104 CFU/g, in area A 2.35×104 CFU/g and in area C 11.98×104 CFU/g (P<0.005). The number of Salmonella colonies immediately after slaughter in area C was 8.45 CFU/g, in area B 4.433 CFU/g and in area A 5.933 CFU/g (P<0.005). This indicates a high level of contamination in chicken carcasses displayed in the markets. This is due to the failure of slaughterhouses and shops to adhere to public health and hygiene standards. Therefore, there is a need to educate consumers about the danger of pathogenic bacteria present on chicken carcasses. The regulatory authorities should also tighten control over slaughterhouses and chicken shops in Al Bayda city.