Evaluation of Bacillus cereus contamination in packed Mazafati dates

Bacillus species are spore-forming positive gram. These bacilli are found everywhere and they remain in environment for several years due to their ability in producing spores. Among many species of genus bacillus, most of them will not cause disease, but a few species are important factors in human diseases. Bacillus cereus causes food poisoning and sometimes eye infections and other localized infections. One hundred 500gr packages of Mazafati dates were randomly sampled from the distribution centers and tested. For the enumeration of B. cereus MYP (Mannitol-egg yolk-polymyxin) agar was used. The linear culture was performed in plates. After the evaluation of the results, none of the samples showed B. cereus contamination indicating the antibacterial effects of date, although, this may need further research.