Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria from Table Egg (Eggshells) Sold in Benghazi Market, Libya

Abstract— This study aimed to conduct a microbial survey of the table eggs (eggshells) sold in the markets of Benghazi city and to identify some pathogenic bacteria. Samples collected from the markets of Benghazi city, which were divided into five sectors (Bouhdima (A), Al-Laithi (B), Hay-Al-Salam region (C), Twenty Street (D), Suburbs of Benghazi (E)). The eggs were bought from several stores in each sector randomly, where twenty samples were collected (four from each sector) with three random replications each. The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between the sectors. According to this study, 80 % of pollutants are from the Enterobacteriaceae family, which includes E. coli, Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., and Citrobacter sp., and 20 % are from the genera (Streptococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Salmonella Sp.).our results showed that the mean total number of aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were 4.2 X 104, 3.9 X 105, 4.4 X 105 CFU / egg respectively. Salmonella bacteria were isolated from eggshell samples at the Benghazi suburbs markets (sector E) (7.0 % from isolated samples). From farm to consumer, the study underlines the importance of encouraging eggshell bacterial contamination prevention strategies