Evaluation of Mycological Contamination in Expired and Non-Expired Dairy Canned Food Products Sold from Al-Dewaneyh Market

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the mycological contamination levels in both expired and non-expired dairy canned food products available at ADewaneyh Market. A total of 80 samples, consisting of 40 expired and 40 non-expired dairy canned products, were randomly collected from different retail outlets. Samples underwent mycological analysis employing standard microbiological methods, encompassing the isolation, identification, and quantification of fungal contaminants. The results showed that expired products had higher fungal counts and a wider range of species than non-expired products. The predominant fungi identified were Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp., with certain species acknowledged as potential mycotoxin producers. The presence of these fungi was linked to physical damage to packaging, bad storage conditions, and a longer shelf life. This study shows how eating expired dairy products could be bad for public health and stresses how important it is to store, handle, and regulate dairy canned food products properly to keep them from getting moldy.