Sixty samples of frozen livers and meat products (minced meat, sausage & Kofta) were examined for moulds and mycotoxins. The frozen liver samples had the lowest mean mould count (3.6×102±1.5×102/ gm) while meat products (Kofta) showed higher counts (3.2×103±1.2 103/gm). Mycotoxin (aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A) were detected in 20% of the examined samples. Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium and Cladosporium spp. were the most prevalent isolated moulds. Mycotoxins could be detected in the frozen livers samples (20%), minced meat (26.7%), Sausage (13.3%) and Kofta (20%). The level of aflatoxin B1, detected ranged from 2.7 µg/kg to 4.1 µg/kg while ochratoxin. A ranged from 1.5-6.8 µg/kg. The significance of the isolated mould genera and the occurrence of myoctoxins residues in relation the public health were discussed. |
