SEARCH FOR THE PREDOMINANCE OF FUNGI SPECIES IN CHEESE

Document Type : Research article

Authors

Dept. of Hygiene and Food Control, Faculty of Vet. Med., Assiut University

Abstract

A total of 80 samples of Damietta, Kareish, hard and processed cheese were collected from Assiut City Markets. 11 genera of molds have been isolated in different percentages. Aspergillus species were the most prevalent. On the other hand, candida species specially c.albicans were more prevalent in examined cheese samples rather than other thpes of yeasts. From the isolated fungi, one strain of Asp < /strong>, flavus was found to be a toxin producer. Regarding the mor tality dose responses, the results revealed that 0.75 ml of the extract/100 grams body weight was the minimum dose that killed 8.3% of the injected rats in 24 hours. The public health significance of each isolate was discussed.