Quality Assessment of Microbial Load in Raw Poultry Meat from Retail Meat Outlets of Bikaner

Abstract

Poultry, or domestic birds, are raised for their meat and eggs and are important source of edible animal protein that accounts 30% of global meat consumption. The popularity of poultry meat has been on the rise during the last two decades and is the most popular meat from any single livestock species. Poultry is a food that has been highly appreciated by man since time immemorial and it is a good source of protein, vitamin B12 and minerals, such as iron, selenium and zinc. Poultry meat is also rich in the omega-3 fats and is an important provider of the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and animal protein (FAO, 2010).