FLUORESCENCE ASSAY FOR RAPID DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI IN MEAT-PRODUCTS

Seven hundred samples of frozen meat products were collected from Al-A hsa supermarkets. As fast screening method for E. coli, the fluorescen ce analysis was applied on the collected samples. The detection of E. coli was confirmed in 92.08 % of the enrichment broth tubes emitting b lue fluorescence under lighting of a long wave UV-lamp. E. coli was de tected in 93 samples. In the examined samples of spiced kofta, steakbu rger, minced meat, oriental sausage and beef-burger the following occu rrences were measured: 17 %, 17 %, 19 %, 25 % and 15 %, respectively. The detection failed in frankfurter and in luncheon samples. The stere otyping of isolated strains led to the following results: O26:K60 (B6) ; O55:K59 (B5); O111:K58 (B4) and O119:K69 (B14). The public health im portance of their existence was discussed.