A B S T R A C TThis study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of three decontaminators in reducing the level of contamination in chicken carcasses which had been artificially contaminated. A grand total of forty random samples of raw chicken carcasses were purchased directly from local markets. Chicken samples were then dipped in cultures of the tested microorganisms (Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli O157:H7 and L. monoctogens) (10 samples for each microorganism). Then dipped into containers containing distilled water (control) , chlorine 30 ppm, 50 ppm and 70 ppm, trisodium phosphate 3%, 5% an 8% and lactic acid 0.75%, 1.25% and 2% , where the reduction percentage of Salmonella were 26.02 %, 26.57 %, 29.16 %, 34.88% , 36.78 %, 38.01 %, 35.42 %, 40.87 % and 54.50 %, respectively, compared to control. while the reduction of Listeria monocytogenes was 16.64 %, 20.60% , 30.43% , 21.74 %, 21.74 %, 25.14 %, 22.87 %, 30.24 % and 39.89 % respectively . Moreover , the reduction percentages of S. aureus was 14.29 % , 15.70 %, 19.58% , 8.11 %, 10.58 %, 27.69 %, 17.28 %, 21.34 % and 27.87 % , respectively . Finally, the reduction percentage of E.coli O157:H7 was 9.56 %, 16.61 %, 20.47 %, 17.45%, 21.48 %, 27.85 %, 18.12%, 19.97% and 29.70 %, respectively.

The study was planned to estimate the 17β-Estradiol and Zeranol residues in 100 samples of chicken carcasses and their livers and kidneys. Samples were randomly collected from different localities in Cairo and Giza markets and were analyzed using Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The mean values (ppb) of 17β-Estradiol in chicken muscle, livers and kidneys were 0.782±0.07, 1.53±0.09 and 2.077±0.08, respectively. While, the mean values (ppb) of Zeranol in chicken muscle, livers and kidneys were 0.1065±0.01, 0.1235±0.01 and 0.262±0.02, respectively. Accordingly it seems that the use of these hormones in chicken farms constitute a public health hazard, so we need to routinely monitor these chemical residues as food quality control measure.

This study was conducted to evaluate bacteriological contamination of fresh marketed chicken cuts-up, and their hazards on public health. A grand total of 100 random samples of chicken breast and thigh (50 of each)were collected from different retail shops for bacteriological examination. The mean values of APC, Coliform and staph. aureus counts(log cfu/g) were7.83±0.01, 4.68± 0.02and 6.88 ± 0.01 in the examined chicken breast samples, respectively, while they were 7.94±0.03, 4.90±0.01,6.79 ± 0.007 and 6.98 ± 0.01 in the examined chicken thigh samples, respectively. The incidence of isolated E.coli was higher in the examined thigh samples (88%) than breast samples (70%). Moreover, the serologically identified E. coli were Enteropathogenic E. coli (O55 :H7,and O78), Enterotoxogenic E. coli (O125:H18, O128:H2 and O127:H6), Enteroheamorrhagic E. coli(O26 and O111:H4) and Enteroinvasive E. coli (O124). The public health importance of the isolated microorganisms and the recommended points were discussed.

A grand total of 100 random samples of chicken carcasses were collected from local commercial retail shops in BeniSuef city. All samples were bacteriologically examined for determination of aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic count, Enterobacteriaceae count, Coliforms count, Staphylococcus count and Staphylococcus aureus count. The mean values were 6.18 ± 0.67, 3.31 ± 1.33, 3.91 ± 0.96, 2.07 ± 1.87, 3.50 ± 1.68 and 2.71 ± 1.67 log cfu/g, respectively. Moreover, this study aimed to isolate and identify Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Listeria monocytogens, their prevalence percentages were 12%, 73%, 4% and 6 %, respectively, while clostridium perfringens and E.coli O157:H7 failed to be detected in the examined samples. Salmonella could be serologically identified as S. typhimurium, S.virchow and S.enteric with percentages of 41.70 %, 41.70 % and 16.60 %, respectively. Moreover, the isolated serotypes of E. coli were E. coli O55 and E. coli O86 A with percentages of 50% and 50% for each one, respectively.

Sixty random samples of raw thigh & breast, half cooked chicken shawerma & shiesh tawook, fully cooked chicken shawerma and fully cooked chicken shiesh tawook (10 of each) were collected from different markets in Gharbia governorates and analyzed for biogenic amines by HPLC. The obtained results indicated that the mean values of histamine, cadaverine and putrescine (mg/100g) were 10.