Microbiological and chemical evaluation of dairy products commercialized in the Lebanese market.

Background And Aim: Cheese is considered an essential component of the Lebanese table, however, several foodborne illnesses have been reported due to cheese consumption. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and the occurrence of antibiotic and pesticide residues in two traditional Lebanese cheeses, Akkawi and Baladiyeh. In addition, drug resistance of isolated pathogens from the cheese samples was evaluated.

Fluorescence polarization assay to detect the presence of traces of ciprofloxacin.

Detection of ciprofloxacin residues in milk by sensitive and rapid methods is of great interest due to its use in the treatment of dairy livestock health. Current analytical approaches to antibiotics detection, are laboratory-based methods and they are time-consuming and require trained personnel. To cope this problem, we propose an assay, based on fluorescence polarization principle, able to detect the presence of ciprofloxacin in diluted milk sample without any pre-treatment.