Sains Malaysiana 40(4)(2011): 345–351

Enterobacteriaceae, Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii and Microbial Population in Infant Formula Products in the Malaysian Market

(Enterobacteriaceae, Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii dan Populasi Mikroorganisma dalam Produk Rumusan Bayi di Pasaran Malaysia)

Norrakiah Abdullah Sani* & Lim Yen Yi

School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology

Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

Received: 9 December 2009 / Accepted: 7 August 2010

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to detect and identify the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, and Cronobacter sakazakii, and
determine the microbial population of infant formula products obtained from hypermarkets and a private hospital in
Malaysia. Sixteen infant formulas and 14 special infant formulas from eight manufacturers were tested. Enterobacter
cloacae, E. asburiae, Klebsiella pneumoniae spp. pneumoniae, K. planticola and Pantoea sp., 3 were confirmed present
in five samples using ID 32E biochemical test (Biomerieux). C. sakazakii was not detected in any of the infant formulas
tested. Five samples failed to comply with the microbiological criterion for aerobic plate count. The infant formula and
special infant formula samples with different ingredients and nutrient composition did not show any significant difference
in terms of aerobic plate count. Although one of the samples contained probiotic, the high microbial count for the other
samples could have been contributed by the above identified Enterobacteriaceae since the infant formula samples non-
sterile and contamination could have occurred during milk production and/ or milk preparation. It is imperatprepare the infant formula milk samples according to the manufacturer’s instruction and in an aseptic condition.

Keywords: Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii; Enterobacteriaceae; infant formula product; microbial population

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini dilakukan untuk mengesan dan mengenal pasti kehadiran Enterobacteriaceae, dan Cronobacter sakazakii,
serta menentukan populasi mikroorganisma dalam produk rumusan bayi yang terdapat di pasaran serta hospital swasta
di Malaysia. Enam belas sampel produk rumusan bayi dan 14 produk rumusan bayi istimewa daripada lapan pengeluar
susu telah dikaji. Bagi pengenalpastian Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacter cloacae, E. asburiae Klebsiella pneumoniae
spp. pneumoniae, K. planticola dan Pantoea sp. 3 telah dikesan dalam 5 sampel rumusan bayi selepas menggunakan ID
32E (Biomerieux). C. sakazakii tidak dikesan di dalam sampel susu rumusan bayi. Lima sampel telah gagal memenuhi
kriteria mikrobiologi bagi hitungan piring aerobik. Sampel produk rumusan bayi dan rumusan bayi istimewa yang
berbeza komposisi kandungan dan nutrien tidak menunjukkan perbezaan bererti daripada segi hitungan piring aerobik.
Walaupun satu daripada sampel tersebut mengandungi probiotik, populasi mikroorganisma yang tinggi bagi sampel yang
lain mugkin disumbang oleh Enterobacteriaceae yang dikenalpasti oleh sebab susu rumusan bayi adalah tidak steril dan
kontaminasinya mungkin berlaku semasa penghasilan dan/ atau penyediasusu mengikut panduan pengeluar dan dalam keadaan aseptik.

Kata kunci: Cronobacter (Enterobacter) sakazakii; Enterobacteriaceae; populasi mikroorganisma; produk rumusan bayi

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*Corresponding author; e.mail: norra@ukm.my