Detection of Escherichia coli from Imported and Local Beef Meat in Mosul City

The aim of the present study is the detection of red beef meat (local and imported) contaminated by E. coli. The microbial load in local and imported beef meat was detected by counting the E. coli total number according to the universal standards. Sixty samples of local and imported beef meat from Indian origin were collected from city meat retailers and butchers that divided into 6 localities (quarters) including AL-Hadbaa, AL-Baladiat, AL-Faisalia, AL-Majmoaa, AL-Jazair and AL-Wahdaa in Mosul city. Ten samples were collected from each locality (five local samples, five imported ones). All samples were subjected for morphological, biochemical (including API20E) and confirmed by molecular identification (PCR ). Results were revealed that imported beef samples were more contaminated with E. coli bacteria than local samples since they ranged from 61 x 102 – 22 x 103 CFU /g and 13 x 102 to 65 x 102 CFU / g respectively.