Isolation of total aerobic and pathogenic bacteria from table eggs and its contents

Abstract

Total number of 16 eggs from different farms and markets were collected to isolate the total aerobic microbial load and the pathogenic bacteria load on its shell and in contents. The aerobic bacteria 118 were isolated from the samples, out of which 116 from eggshells and 2 from egg contents of single egg sample. Gram’s positive bacteria (Staphylococcus) were found predominantly present on eggshell. The eggshells were also found contaminated with pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella and Escherichia coli). Whereas no Escherichia coli O157:H7 was found on eggshell and contents. Three eggshell samples from farm layers were found contaminated with E. coli. Two samples were found contaminated with Salmonella one each from farm and market. Four out of eight (50%) samples from farm layer were found contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, while only one out of eight (12.50%) from market was found contaminated with pathogens. Eggs from market were found less contaminated as compared to farm eggs.