Studies on isolation and inhibitory effect on food-borne pathogens from raw milk in Egypt by natural oils

Abstract

This study sheds the light on the presence of (some) food-borne pathogens in raw market milk in Mansoura city, (Egypt) using several techniques for isolation and identification including serology and PCR. It determines, further, the susceptibility of the isolated pathogens to some antimicrobial agents and natural oils, including watercress, basil, parsley, and hot green pepper oils. From 100 milk samples, 22 Escherichia coli isolates harboured stx1, stx2 and/or eae genes. Additionally, 17 Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) isolates harboured hylA gene. Moreover, other related pathogens such as Shigella flexneri and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also detected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that E. coli strains were (completely) resistant to amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim but highly sensitive to gentamicin. L. monocytogenes strains showed complete resistance against oxytetracycline while the highest percentage of sensitivity was observed against norfloxacin. This study has also proved the following: L. monocytogenes was susceptible to all of the investigated oils, Klebsiella pneumoniae was sensitive to two types of oils, but E. coli and Shigella flexneri were resistant to all oils. In conclusion, it is risky to consume unpasteurized milk. Further, some natural oils (e.g. parsley and hot green pepper oils) can successfully be used as food additives to control the presence of some pathogens in milk.