Presence of enterotoxigenic Clostridiumperfringensin foods of animal origin, Guwahati, India

Abstract

Endale Balcha Gurmu1, Razzbuddin Ahmed Hazarika 2, Probodh Borah2, Acinto Gohain Barua2

Aim: To isolate Clostridium perfringensfrom foods of animal origin and detect the presence of enterotoxin gene in the isolates in Guwahati, India.Methods: This studywas carried out from August 2010 to February 2011.A total of 400 food samples comprising 50 each of chevon, pork, fish, beef and liquid raw milk, curd, pasteurized milk powder, pasteurized liquid milk and ice cream were screened for the presence of Clostridium perfringens. A total of 33 food samples were tested positive for the presence of the organism. Results: Among the 33 isolates of C. perfringens, 5(15.15%) were found positive for enterotoxin gene (cpe) by Polymerase chain reaction. The result showed that those foods which tested positive for enterotoxigenic C.perfringenshad potential to cause food poisoning. Even those foods which tested negative for the presence of enterotoxigenic C. perfringens could be contaminated from the environment due to poor handling of foods pre-and post-processing. Conclusion: Therefore, hygiene should be maintained at all levels of food preparation in order to prevent food borne illness caused by such organism.