Studies on microorganisms secured from different organs of slaughtered sheep with special reference to the microbial load in certain muscles

A total of 312 samples collected from different organs and muscles of dead, disabled, diseased, dying, and normal carcasses of sheep were examined bacteriologically to determine the different species of microorganisms as to their public health significance. In addition, the aerobic plate count (APC) and most probable number (MPN) coliform/g were determined of Musculus biceps brachii, Musculus quadriceps femoris, and Musculus longissimus dorsi. The mean bacterial load was higher in summer than in winter in dead and in normal sheep. Moreover, the APC was higher in winter 3 hours after slaughtering than after 24 h cooling. The bacterial load decreased in that order in the muscles of dead, disabled, diseased, and dying sheep carcasses. The lowest bacterial load was recorded in the Musculus longissimus dorsi. The most predominant isolates recovered from different organs and muscles were Escherichia coli (60), staphylococci (33), Proteus vulgaris (12), Enterobacter aerogenes (11), Corynebacterium ovis (9), Alcaligenes faecalis (7), Actinomyces israelii (5), Citrobacter freundii (4), pneumococci (3), and enterococci (2). The importance is discussed of the isolated strains as zoonotic agents and for assessing the hygienic meat quality.