Isolation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes from milk products sold under market conditions at Agra region

Abstract

Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from milk products i.e. curd and cottage cheese, sold at shops in the unorganized sector of Agra region. Of the 116 bacterial isolates from cottage cheese, 15 were confirmed as E. coli, 12 as S. aureus, and two as L. monocytogenes. Fifty-eight isolates were obtained from curd samples of which five were confirmed as E. coli, eleven as L. monocytogenes, and no S. aureus contamination was found in curd. The result indicates that strict preventive measures should be adopted to ensure contamination free milk products for the good health of all consumers.