Microbiological studies on some imported dairy products sold in damietta city

Twenty-five each of whole and skimmed milk powder, soft cheese(Feta) and processed cheese samples were collected from different outlets in Damietta city, Egypt. A survey was conducted to determine total colony,coliform, Enterococci, Staphylococci, yeast and mould counts. To isolateand identify coliforms, Enterococci and Staphylococci and also to detect thepresence of Salmonellae.The obtained results revealed that the total colony count/gram of theexamined whole and skimmed milk powder, soft cheese and processedcheese samples ranged from 3.0x103 to 5.0x104 with a mean value of2.3x104, 3.0x103 to 5x104 with a mean value of 1.8x104, 4.8x104to8.4x106 with a mean value of 1.8x106 and 1.8x103 to 5x105 with a meanvalue of 6.32x104 respectively.The highest frequency distribution of examined whole and skimmedmilk powder, soft cheese and processed cheese samples lies between (103-105) 100%, (104-106) 76% and (103-105) 92% respectively.Coliform counts (MPN/gram) of examined whole and skimmed milkpowder, soft cheese and processed cheese ranged from 3 to 9 (2.64), 3 to 9 (2.27), 9 to 4.6x102 (1.13x102) and 7 to 1.5x102 (10.2) respectively.The most prevalent coliform species obtained from examined wholeand skimmed milk powder, soft cheese and processed cheese samples were