Hilmi Yaman

Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in poultry meat

The objectives of this study were i) to isolate Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in broiler wing meat samples, ii) to confirm the isolates by PCR, based on prs and hly A gene sequences, iii) to determine the seasonal and monthly distribution of the isolates. A total of 120 broiler wing meat samples (60 packaged pieces wrapped using strech film in styrofoam plates and 60 unpackaged pieces) bought from different markets in Hatay province were analysed. Listeria spp. was isolated from 57 (47.5%) out of 120 samples. Fifty-four, out of 57 Listeria spp. isolates were identified as L. monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was isolated from the samples collected during the spring, winter, summer, and autumn at the levels of 26.6%, 40%, 53.3%, 60%, respectively. In this study, the isolation rates were found to be the highest in autumn, while the isolation rates were found to be the lowest in spring. As a consequence, high prevalence of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in poultry wing meat samples may pose a risk for human health. We consider that with obeying the rules of good hygiene practices (GHP), good manufacturing practices (GMP) and HACCP can minimize the contamination with Listeria spp.

Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus aureus (A, B, C, D) during the ripening of sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage)

This study was conducted to determine the capability of Staphylococcus aureus to produce toxins in Turkish sucuk. For this purpose, the ability of four different reference strains of S. aureus (i.e., SEA 10652 FDA 196E, SEB 10654 FDA 243, SEC 10655 137, and SED 10656 494) to produce A-, B-, C-, and D-type toxins, respectively, was investigated during the fermentation period of Turkish sucuk by inoculating sucuk batter with these strains at 105 CFU/g level. As a result, no SEA, SEB, and SEC toxins were detected in the A, B, and C groups, respectively, during fermentation. In group D, SED was detected after 24 h and at the 3, 7, and 12 days of ripening. In conclusion, these results indicate that Turkish sucuk may pose an important health risk related to possible contamination with S. aureus (SED) during the production processes.

Microbiological Analysis of Dried Goose Carcasses

Abstract Microbiological studies on chicken meat and carcasses are well documented, but very few studies exist on goose meat and carcasses. Therefore, in this study, dried goose carcass samples were collected from the local households in Kars/Turkey and microbiologically analyzed in terms of public health risks. The total mesophilic viable count was found to be 6.58 (mean log10 CFU g−1) (100%). The number of Enterobacteriaceae was 4.85 (92.8%). Coliform bacteria was counted at the numbers of 2.98 (67.8%), while it was 3.95 (91.1%) for the enterococci, 0.42 (26.7%) for the clostridia, 0.04 (3.5%) for the Clostridium perfringens, and 0.41 (12.5%) for the coagulase positive staphylococci. The numbers of mould and yeast were 0.93 (25%) and 4.81 (94.6%), respectively. Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus could not be isolated in the samples. The results indicate that the dried goose meat samples had poor hygienic quality, contained some of the pathogen microorganisms that are likely to pose a potential health risk.