Raisin Samples Sold in Some Local Markets Possess Microbial Risks That Threaten Human Health

Abstract

In this study, raisin samples sold in the local markets of the Mardin and Batman provinces of Turkey were used. Samples were collected according to the random sampling method. The producers who marketed the raisins declared that they had dried them in the sun without any processing. Microbiological analyses were performed on 30 samples, 15 from each province. To determine the microbiological quality of raisins obtained from the market, pH and water activity analysis, total yeast mold count, total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) count, Staphylococcus aureus analysis, and coliform group bacteria analysis were performed. In addition, some important molds with mycotoxin-forming potential were identified. In this study, no Staphylococcus aureus was found in any raisin sample, but the pH, water activity (aw), TMAB count, coliform group bacteria count, and total yeast-mold count of raisins from Mardin province were 4.411, 0.477, 2.871 log10 cfu/g, 1.318 log10 cfu/g, and 5.535 log10 cfu/g, on average respectively, while these values were 4.367, 0.473, 2.199 log10 cfu/g, 0.642 log10 cfu/g, and 4.685 log10 cfu/g, on average respectively, for raisins from Batman province. Moreover, molds, which are responsible for the spoilage of grapes from both provinces and may pose a risk to consumer health, were found in higher numbers than the bacteria. There was a statistical difference between the samples at p<0.01 level in all parameters of the analyzed raisins. As a result, it was revealed that the hygienic quality of the analyzed raisins was quite low, and they had the potential to threaten health if consumed.