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Abstract A total of two hundred and forty swab samples were taken from the surfaces of sixty cattle carcasses at abattoir, transportation as well as butcher’s shop levels (20 of each) from the following regions (hind quarter, fore quarter, flank and brisket) at Giza Governorate. Mould and yeast were found in all examined samples which collected from carcasses at abattoir, transportation as well as butcher’s shops levels respectively with a mean value of total mould and yeast count/cm2 1.1 X 103 ± 3.1 X 102, 3.3 X 103 ± 4.3 X 102 and 4.3 X 104 ± 7.8 X 103 in hindquarter samples, while on forequarter samples were 9.2 X 102 ± 2.9 X 102, 3.8 X 103 ± 5.3 X 102 and 4.4 X 104 ± 6.1 X 103. Moreover, the mean count/cm2 of flank samples were 1.3 X 103 ± 4.2 X 102, 3.5 X 103 ± 4.8 X 102 and 4.6 X 104 ± 4.9 X 103, meanwhile, the mould and yeast mean count/cm2 was 9.5 X 102 ± 2.7 X 102, 3.2 X 103 ± 4.9 X 102 and 4.4 X 104 ± 5.7 X 103 in brisket samples. Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Mucor spp., Fusarium spp., Cladosporium spp., Geotrichum spp., Alternaria spp. could be isolated form the examined surfaces of cattle carcasses at abattoir, transportation and butcher’s shop levels with a varying percentages ranging from 5% to 100%. Sepedonium spp. isolated only from abattoir samples. Meanwhile, Curvularia spp., could be isolated from carcasses at abattoir and transportation levels with varying percentages. Moreover, isolated Aspergillus spp. from examined cattle carcass surfaces at abattoir, transportation and butcher’s shop levels were identified as A. flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. terrus, A. ochraceus, A. wentii, A. candidus, A. versicolor, A. gluacus, A. nidulans and A. clavatus. A. nidulans and A. clavatus could not be isolated at abattoir and transportation levels. A. wentii failed to be detected at butcher’s shop level. Furthermore, the identified yeast genera from carcass surfacesat abattoir, transportation and butcher’s shop levels were Rhodotorula spp., Candida tropicales, Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida pseudotropicalis, Trichosporon spp., Saccharomyces spp., Cryptococcus spp., Ustilago spp. and Streptomyces spp. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 were produced by A. flavus isolated from cattle carcass surfaces at abattoir, transportation and butcher’s shop levels. The highest average level of aflatoxin B1 and B2 were detected in the isolated strains from butcher’s shop. Meanwhile, aflatoxin GI and G2 produced in high amount by isolated A. flavus from carcasses at transportation level. Ochratoxin was produced by the isolation of A. ochraceus, from carcass surfaces at abattoir, transportation and butcher’s shop levels roan average of 20.6 p.g/L YES media. The public health importance and the economic significance of existing mould & yeast and mycotoxins as well as suggested sanitary rules adopted to cover proper dressing, handling and preparation of cattle carcasses were discussed. |