ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Microbiological, Serological
and Parasitological Quality of Cig Kofte
(Raw Meatball) and Its Lettuce Marketed
in Istanbul
O. Cetin1, E. B. Bingol1, H. Akkaya2
More details
Hide details
1 Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Technology,
34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Istanbul University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology,
34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2008;17(5):701-706
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to investigate microbiological, serological and parasitological quality in
cig kofte (raw meatball) and their lettuce consumed in Istanbul. Consequently, a total of 102 cig kofte and 60
lettuce samples were analyzed for total mesophylic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), sulphite-reducing bacteria, coliforms,
Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus-Micrococcus, and
Salmonella spp. levels. Sulphite-reducing bacteria were not isolated from any of the samples. Salmonella were
found positive in 9 of cig kofte and in 5 of lettuce samples. None of the analyzed samples was found to contain
pork. Ten of them contained equine, 5 contained beef+mutton, 12 contained beef+poultry and 7 contained
equine+poultry, while 68 of the 102 samples were only beef meat. Parasites and their fragments were also
observed in some of the cig kofte and lettuce samples (6 insect fragments in cig kofte samples and 2 insect
fragments, 5 acarus and mites and 2 Entamoeba coli + acarus in lettuce samples). It was concluded that cig
kofte and lettuce offered to consumers in Istanbul have low microbiological and parasitological quality. Due
to imitation of the products, unfair competition and profit is provided and consequently the safety of the consumer
is at risk.