Abstract
Abstract An increased emphasis has been placed on the microbiological analysis of raw milk and dairy products designed to evaluate quality and to ensure safety for human consumption. Many microorganisms such as Escherichia coli can contaminate raw milk during milking process or via environmental contamination during different milk-processing methods. Enterohaem- orrhagic Escherichia coli O157 (EHEC) are a major cause of food-borne illnesses in humans. A hundred and seven samples of milk and milk products were collected from some regions (Janzour, Tripoli, Kryamia, Tajoura and Toubrok) in Libya. In the current study, samples were subjected to microbiological analysis for enumeration and isolation of Escherichia coli, which were detected by conventional cultural and molecular method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and partial sequencing of 16S rDNA. Out of the107 samples; 26 positive sample according to culture characteristics were found to be EHEC O157 included cow's milk 10 % (3/ 28), she-camel's milk 33%(3/ 9), goats milk 17 % (1/6) and 25 % (7/28) fermented raw milk samples. Samples of fresh locally made soft cheese (Maasora and Ricotta) were 43% (9/21) and 30% (3/10) respectively, while none of the ice cream samples revealed any growth, but 12 of these 26 sample were confirmed by partial sequencing of 16SrDNA as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Key words: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli; raw milk; 16S rDNA.