Journal of

 Background and Aim: Cream is a rich dairy product with the pH close to neutral and limited preservation capability. Cream is suitable and rich for microbial growth. In the past few decades, there was a great concern in contamination of food products.

 Salmonella and Yersinia species are two important pathogens causing food poisoning and human gastroenteritis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the quality of traditional cream for bacterial contamination.

 Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. In total, 100 unpasteurized cream samples were collected from 5 regions in Tehran. The Salmonella was enriched in Selenite-F broth, and Yersinia in phosphate buffer in two weeks in cold condition according to CDC, and then were inoculated in MacConky and CIN agar for 24 hours. The suspected colonies were examined for phenotype and their identification was confirmed by API-20 E.

 Results:  In general, 29% of tested cream samples were contaminated with at least one kind of bacteria, 3% with Yersinia (1strain Y.enterocolitica, 1 Y.intermedia, 1 frederiksenii), and 2% with Salmonella paratyphi B. The other bacteria like Escheichia coli, Enteobacter, klebsiella, and Citobacter were also isolated. Five samples were contaminated with two kinds of bacteria.

 Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that more quality control should be applied on the cream produced in the city of Tehran by health control office for food products. 

 Background and Aim: Along with the constant increase in world population and consequently, the growing need to provide cellulose, as the most abundant organic substance in nature to produce cellulose products, concerns regarding the possible contamination of these products might cause skin, and genital and urinary infections. The aim of this study is to determine the possible microbial contamination of these products supplied in the city of Tehran.

 Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study on 200 samples of unexpired cellulose products including napkins, nappies, sanitary napkin, and cardboard boxes to carry sweets. Fifty samples were obtained in the city of Tehran during six months from September 2011 to February 2012. Microbial contamination was investigated according to the procedure proposed by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.

 Results: The results obtained indicate that 18 samples (9%) exceeded the level allowed for aerobic bacteria and molds in one gram of specimens. Besides, 16 samples (8%) were contaminated with at least one of the following bacteria: Streptococcus Group D, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A total of 34 samples (17%) could not be consumed. The least and the most contaminated products were sanitary napkins (0.5%) and cardboard boxes to carry sweets (5%), respectively.

 Conclusion: The presence of pathogenic bacteria in cellulose products that could cause skin, and genital and urinary tract infections asks for more control over such sanitary products.