Microbial Analysis of 'Dahi Baray' From Selected Areas of Lahore

Abstract: The study is concerned with the microbiological examination of Dahibaray, commonly consumed by people as a street food and is one of the nutritious street food of Punjab Objective: To determine the presence and load of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in “dahibaray”. Methods: the sample was collected in polythene bags and brought to the laboratory.The present study was conducted in 4 months duration at The University of Punjab taking samples from Lahore city in JuneOct. Total 24 samples in polythene bags were collectedfrom three different areas of Lahore i.e. Allama Iqbal town, Liberty and Anarkali, (each polythene bag having one plate of dahi baray) were collected and brought to the laboratory for assessment of the microbial contamination. The dahi baray were homogenized before making serial dilutions of the samples. All the samples in triplicate were analyzed and the C.F.U (Colony forming unit) of these samples was determined according to standard plate count method Results: The results revealed that the highest number of E.coli bacteria were in the morning samples of Allama Iqbal town and their mean was found to be 7 170.7×10 C.F.U/gm. The experimental analysis also conrms that the highest numbers of S.aureus were present in the morning samples of Allama Iqbal town and their calculated mean was 7 180.9×10 C.F.U/gm of original suspension processed. Conclusions: Although the street food vendors may be skilled in their work still they need to be given proper awareness about hygiene for the prevention of food borne illnesses. Key words: DahiBaray, E.coli, S.aureus, C.F.U (colony forming units), Food poisoning.