Hygienic Quality of Large and Small Scale Manufactured Ice Cream In Sharkia Governorate

Sixty random ice-cream samples (30 each from large scale and small scale producers) collected from different localities in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, were examined for their sanitary condition.Methylene blue reduction test of examined ice-cream samples collected from large scale and small scale producers showed that33.33%, 36.67%, 13.33% and 16.67% were graded I (good) and II (fair) respectively.The mean value of total mesophilic count /ml in examined ice-cream samples collected from large scale producers and small scale ones were 9.1x106± 2.7x106 and 6.6x108± 2.4x108 respectively.Staphylococcus aureus could be isolated from 30% and 60% of examined ice-cream samples collected from large scale producers and small scale producers, while Staph. epidermidis could be detected in 43.33% and 40% out of them respectively.Concerning total yeast and mould counts /ml in examined samples of large scale producers and small scale producers, the mean values were 4.60x103±1.28x102 and 1.68x103±5.64x102 respectively.The obtained results revealed that the prevalence of coliforms contamination of large scale producers and small scale producers were 16.66% and 66.66% respectively, while the mean coliforms count/ml(MPN/ml) in examined samples of large scale producers and small scale producers were 4.5x102±1.23x102 and 1.90x103±6.1x102 respectively.