Microbiological Quality of Ice Cream Sold in Gilgit Town

Abstract

Ice cream is a food commonly consumed during summer. It harbors many potent pathogens, its microbial quality especially bacteriological quality has always been crucially important to public health. This study aims to access bacteriological quality of ice cream sold in different areas of Gilgit town. Randomly collected ice cream samples were studied to determine the microbiological load or colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) using the standard aerobic plate count method. All samples showed positive growth of bacteria ranging from 2.2 X 10³ to 8-2 X 10⁴ CFU/g. Seven bacterial species were isolated. The highest frequency of isolation was Escherichia coli 20 (100%) and least isolation was Salmonella spp. 3 (15%). For confirmation the colonies were tested biochemically and were identified up to specie level.