Open Access
Research (Published online: 14-11-2022)
9. Microbiological and chemical evaluation of dairy products commercialized in the Lebanese market
Hiyam El Kojok, Mahmoud Khalil, Rima Hage, Rola Jammoul, Adla Jammoul, and Nada El Darra
Veterinary World, 15(11): 2575-2586

Hiyam El Kojok: Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon.
Mahmoud Khalil: Department of Biological Sciences, Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon.
Rima Hage: Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon.
Rola Jammoul: Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon.
Adla Jammoul: Department of Food, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Fanar, Lebanon P.O. Box 2611, Beirut 1107 2809, Lebanon; Phytopharmacy Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture of Lebanon, Kfarchima, Lebanon.
Nada El Darra: Beirut Arab University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tarik El Jedidah - Beirut, P.O. Box: 115020 Riad EL Solh 1107 2809, Lebanon.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.2575-2586

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Article history: Received: 25-07-2022, Accepted: 30-09-2022, Published online: 14-11-2022

Corresponding author: Nada El Darra

E-mail: n.aldarra@bau.edu.lb

Citation: El Kojok H, Khalil M, Hage R, Jammoul R, Jammoul A, and El Darra N (2022) Microbiological and chemical evaluation of dairy products commercialized in the Lebanese market, Veterinary World, 15(11): 2575–2586.
Abstract

Background and Aim: Cheese is considered an essential component of the Lebanese table, however, several foodborne illnesses have been reported due to cheese consumption. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and the occurrence of antibiotic and pesticide residues in two traditional Lebanese cheeses, Akkawi and Baladiyeh. In addition, drug resistance of isolated pathogens from the cheese samples was evaluated.

Materials and Methods: Fifty Akkawi and Baladiyeh cheese samples were obtained in duplicate from 37 different commercial brands in supermarkets and shops from various regions of Lebanon. Samples of different weights were either individually vacuum packed or soaked in brine unpacked where it was placed in plastic bag after being purchased. Samples were homogenized to determine antibiotic and pesticide residues using liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and microbiological evaluation was performed according to the International Organization for Standardization reference analytical methods. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of these isolates to antibiotics.

Results: Microbiologically, 17% of Akkawi and 14% of Baladiyeh samples were found to be non-conforming. The bacterial isolates (n = 29) were tested for their susceptibility to 11 different antibiotics commonly prescribed in the Lebanese community or used for treating infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria and listeriosis. Each isolate was found to be resistant to at least three antibiotics. Liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy analysis showed the absence of pesticide residues in all samples. However, sulfamethazine antibiotic residue was found in 14% of the samples.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the cheese samples tested could cause foodborne illnesses due to the detection of pathogenic bacteria and are a public health concern due to the presence of antibiotic residues and the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Keywords: antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance, cheese, dairy products, high-performance liquid chromatography, microbial contamination.