Microbiological Quality of Wheat Cultivated in Many Different Regions of Iraq

Abstract

Microbiological quality (total plate count, yeast and molds, coliform, and E. coli) of wheat cultivated in seven provinces of Iraqi were determined and compared to  Standard Quality of Iraq (IQS) and to the standardization of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The samples were collected from fields, and some samples taken from near of a street (reachable by people) and far of a street as well as rural fields. The regulation has two limits, which are good and acceptable limits, and the samples within the acceptable limit should be two samples of five. The results showed that all analyzed samples were within the acceptable limit that approved by IQS and FDA. There was one field exceed IQS regulation and there were several fields exceed the FDA regulations related to the number of samples within the good limit. The main reason for exceeding was total plate count (APC) followed by yeast and molds. Enhancing the microbiological quality of wheat cultivated in Iraq should be truly considered to be within IQS and FDA regulations.