Authors : Ahmet Guner and Nihat Telli
Abstract: Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in various semi-hard traditional cheeses including Van otlu (herby), Carra, Konya kuflu (mouldy) and Urfa tulum produced at different regions of Turkey was investigated. A total of 120 samples from these four cheese types were surveyed. Listeria sp. were detected in 50 of the 120 samples. Ratios of contaminated samples with Listeria sp. in four cheese types were Van otlu, 36.6% (11/30), Carra, 56.6% (17/30), Konya kuflu 43.3% (13/30), Urfa tulum, 30% (9/30). L. monocytogenes was determined in 34 of the 120 samples. Numbers of contaminated samples with L. monocytogenes in four cheese types were Van otlu, 9 (30%), Carra, 14 (46.6%), Konya kuflu, 7 (23.3%), Urfa tulum, 4 (13.3%). Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri and Listeria grayi were isolated from 2, 12 and 2 of the all samples, respectively. Listeria ivanovii and Listeria seeligeri were not detected in any of the samples. Any correlation was not observed between the presence of Listeria sp. and chemical composition of the cheeses.
Ahmet Guner and Nihat Telli, 2011. A Survey on the Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Various Semi-Hard Cheeses from Different Regions of Turkey. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1890-1894.