Microbiological characterization of traditional djalaa beer marketed in Sarh (Chad) during the dry and rainy seasons

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of the traditional beer Djalaa according to seasonal variations in Sarh, Chad. Methods: Microbiological analyses were conducted on djalaa beer samples collected during the dry and rainy seasons. Standard microbiological methods based on ISO standards were used for the enumeration and detection of Escherichia coli, total coliforms, Salmonella spp., and yeasts. Results: Escherichia coli was detected in all analyzed samples, with values ranging from 2 to 10.33 CFU/mL during the dry season and from 70 to 114.3 CFU/mL during the rainy season. Total coliform counts ranged from 70 to 114.33 CFU/mL during the dry season and from 7.7 to 483.33 CFU/mL during the rainy season. Salmonella spp. was detected in all samples, with concentrations varying from 0.33 to 3 CFU/mL during the dry season and from 1.33 to 6.1 CFU/mL during the rainy season. Yeast counts were generally higher during the rainy season, reaching 16266.66 ± 4688.81 CFU/mL.