Histological Detection of Unauthorized Herbal and Animal Contents in Some Meat Products

Abstract

The quality assurance of meat products is very important for human health protection. In this study, 50 samples from burger, kofta, and sausage were examined histologically for the detection of adulteration. Histological sections from the three meat products were stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Adulteration by unauthorized plant and animal tissues was detected microscopically. The results revealed that burger was adulterated with lung, heart, connective tissue, smooth muscles, cartilage, and plant tissues. Burger samples showed parasitic infection with sarcocystis within skeletal muscles. Kofta was adulterated with lung, connective tissue, smooth muscles, cartilage, blood vessels, and plant tissues. Sausage was adulterated with intestine, connective tissue, smooth muscles, cartilage, blood vessels, fat, and plant tissue. This study confirms the availability of histological examination in detecting adulteration of meat products and parasitic infection.