Prevalence and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes in beef offal at retail level in Selangor, Malaysia

Hao Kuan, CheeChwen Wong, WoanFung Pui, ChaiAiny Mahyudin, NorYew Huat Tang, JohnNishibuchi, MitsuakiRadu, Son

A total of 63 beef offal samples (beef liver = 16; beef lung = 14; beef intestine = 9; beef tripe = 15; beef spleen = 9) from three wet markets (A, B, and C) in Selangor, Malaysia were examined for the prevalence and microbial load of Listeria monocytogenes. A combination of the most probable number and polymerase chain reaction (MPN-PCR) method was employed in this study. It was found that L. monocytogenes detected in 33.33% of the beef offal samples. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in beef offal purchased from wet markets A, B, and C were 22.73%, 37.50% and 41.18% respectively. The density of L. monocytogenes in all the samples ranged from 3upto> 2,400 MPN/g. The findings in this study indicate that beef offal can be a potential vehicle of foodborne listeriosis.

1. most probable number (MPN)
2. ptsteria monocytogenes
3. beef offal
4. polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
5. prevalence