Microbiological evaluation of small and large scale produced ice cream in Assiut city

T his study aimed to compare between the microbiological criteria of small and large scale produced ice cream consumed in Assiut city, Egypt. A total of 70 small and large scale produced ice cream samples (35 each) were collected from available retailer ice cream shops and supermarkets in Assiut city and evaluated microbiologically. The incidences of aerobic bacteria count (APC), psychrotrophes, Enterococci , coliform, faecal coliform counts, Escherichia coli , yeasts and moulds counts were 100, 100, 97.14, 65.71, 31.43, 22.86, 100 and 65.71% in small scale produced ice cream samples respectively; while, in large scale produce ice cream samples, the incidences were 100, 74.29, 42.86, 45.71, 31.43, 11.43, 54.29 and 100%, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was negative in both type of ice cream samples while coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) and anaer-obes were detected in small scale produce ice cream samples in incidences of 11.43 and 80% respectively, the incidences were 8.57 and 57.14% for large scale produced ones, respectively. Two isolates of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Stx 1 and Stx 2 were detected in some Escherichia coli strains isolated from small scale produced ice cream samples. Comparison of the microbiological criteria of the two types of ice cream samples with Egyptian Standards was also done. Sources of these microorganisms, their economic and public health importance as well as the