Efficacy of Cleaning Agents against Bacterial Isolates from Raw Meat Sold in Market Places in Lahore

Abstract

Foodborne diseases are caused by the ingestion of foodstuffs contaminated with microorganisms or chemicals and are considered a growing public health problem worldwide. Contaminated meat is one of the main sources of food-borne illnesses and death caused by agents that enter the body through ingestion. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cleaning agents on bacteria isolated from raw meat sold in market places in Lahore. The bacterial contaminants were isolated and identified using specific culture techniques and the effect of dettol, lemon juice, vinegar and safeguard on bacterial isolates was determined. The predominant bacterial pathogen isolates were Escherichia coli 25(50%) followed by Salmonella spp. 15(30%), Staphylococcus aureus 6(12%), and Pseudomonas spp. 4(8%). Among the cleaning agents, lemon juice, vinegar, safeguard, and dettol were effective in killing and or reducing the bacteria attached to the meat. Lemon juice was more effective against bacteria than other agents. The raw meat is heavily contaminated with the high incidence of bacterial pathogens, and different pathogens may acquire resistance to different cleaning agents. Therefore, there is an urgent need to minimize the contamination of raw meat sold in market places by the implementation of necessary measures.