Mould contamination of some Egyptian cheese

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Educational Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Abstract

Mould contamination of milk products is a matter of significance in the field of food safety due to its related food spoilage
and production of mycotoxins. This study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of mould contamination in different
cheese types marketed in Zagazig city, Egypt. Roumy cheese had the highest total mould count followed by cheddar and
white cheese types. The prevalent mould genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Alternaria. Further
identification of Aspergillus (A) species revealed that A. niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. ochracous are the dominant
Aspergilli. The public health importance of the prevalent mould genera was discussed

Keywords