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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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20032
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Subject: Veterinary Public Health × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of bacteriological quality of beef carcasses in meat processing plant
    (Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sethulekshmi, C; KAU; Nanu, E
    During the present study, 40 beef carcasses were randomly selected from a meat processing plant located at Kochi in Kerala. The plant procures beef carcasses from two slaughtering units, viz., Source A and B, located in Tamil Nadu. From each carcass surface 500-cm2 area was swabbed which consisted of 100 cm2 each from neck, brisket, loin, flank and outer round. The samples from each carcass were examined for the bacterial quality by estimating the total viable count (TVC), coliforms count (CC), Escherichia coli count (ECC) and faecal streptococcal count (FSC). All samples were also subjected to the isolation and identification of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. The samples of air, water, equipment and hand wash of personnel were also collected and estimated the various bacterial loads of these samples. Analysis of variance test of the data did not reveal significant difference between the mean total viable count of the samples from two sources. The samples had an overall mean total viable count of 7.40 ± 0.17 10glO cfu/cm/. The mean count of samples from source B was slightly higher than that from source A. The count of the samples belonging to source A ranged from 106 to 109 cfu/cm2 while the count of the samples from source B varied between 106 and 108 cfu/cm/. Of the 40 carcass samples examined, 45 per cent had count at the level of 106 cfu/crrr', The counts in 30 per cent and 22.5 per cent were at the level of 108 cfulcm2 and 107 cfu/cnr', resp~ctively. Analysis of variance' test of the data revealed a significant (P<0.05) difference between the mean coliforms count of the samples from the two sources. The samples from source A had a higher mean count. The overall mean coliforms count of the samples was 3.41 ± 0.13 10glO cfu/cm". The count of the samples from both the sources varied from 102 to 104 cfu/cm/. The count in 21 (52.5 per cent) carcass samples was at the level of 103 cfu/crn", In 17.5 per cent carcasses the count was at the level of 104 cfu/crrr' and in 30 per cent carcass samples the count was at the level of 102 cfu/crrr'. Analysis of variance test of the Escherichia coli count revealed a significant (P<0.05) difference between the mean count of samples from the two sources. The samples belonging to source A had a higher mean count. The overall mean Escherichia coli count of the samples was 1.83 ± 0.22 10glO cfu/crrr'. The Escherichia coli count of the samples from both the sources varied from 101 to 103 cfu/cm2. The count in 16 (40 per cent) of carcass samples was at the level of 102 cfu/cm", In 17.5 per cent samples each had count at the levels of 101 and 103 cfu/cm", Analysis of variance test of the faecal streptococcal count revealed significant (P<0.05) difference between the mean counts of samples from the two sources. Source A had higher mean count. The overall mean count of samples was 3.27 ± 0.10 10glO cfu/cm". The count on the carcasses from the source A ranged between 102 to 104 cfu/crrr' whereas the count on the carcasses belonging to source B varied between 102 to 103 cfu/crrr'. Out of 40 carcasses, 18 (45 per cent) had count at the level of 103 cfu/crrr'. The counts on 40 and 15 per cent of the carcasses were at the levels of 102 to 104 cfu/cm/, respectively. A significant (P<0.05) positive correlation was observed between the mean CC and FSC of the carcasses belonging to source A. The association between the mean TVC and FSC in source B was significant (P<0.05). Escherichia coli was isolated from 10 carcasses belonging to source A and 5 carcasses from source B. Out of the 15 isolates, 14 were serotyped and were grouped under nine serotypes and one isolate was untypeable. The serotype 0157 was isolated from two of the carcass samples belonging to source A. Four isolates from this source belonged to serotype 036. The serotypes 036, 0156, 0157 and 0172 were isolated only from the samples obtained from the source A. The serotype 08 was isolated from both the sources. However, the serotypes 013,065,069 and 075 were isolated only from samples of source B. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from two (5 per cent) carcasses belonging to source A and one (2.5 per cent) of the carcasses belonging to the source B. Of-the 40 carcass samples tested, salmonellae were isolated from one sample each from the source A and B. Listeria monocytogenes could not be isolated from any of the samples belonging to both the sources. The mean total viable counts on meat-cutting board and meat-cutting table were 4.94 ± 0.87 and 4.28 ± 0.87 10glO cfu/cm/, respectively. The mean coliforms count on the former was 1.24 ± 0.94 10glO cfu/crrr' and the latter was at the level of 1.26 ± 0.83 10glO cfu/crrr'. The mean faecal streptococcal count was at the level of 1.38 and 1.29 10glO cfulcm2 on meat cutting board and meat cutting table, respectively. Ice samples had a mean total viable count of 3.20 ± 0.11 10glO cfu/ml. The coli forms count in ice, pond, and tap water were 2.30 ± 0.08, 1.39 ± 0.77 and 0.50 ± 0.21 10glO cfu/ml, respectively. The mean total viable count, coliforms count, Escherichia coli count and faecal streptococcal count observed per ml of the hand wash of the personnel engaged in various operations were 4.96 ± 0.82, 1.26 ± 0.78, 0.80 ± 0.24 and 1.48 ± 0.77 IOglO cfu/ml, respectively. The mean bacterial load in the air samples of slaughter hall and chilling room obtained in the present study was 100.7 ± 8.17 and 8.75 ± 1.19 cfu/min, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of bacteriological quality of pork carcasses in a processing plant
    (Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Shiny John; KAU; Nanu, E
    During the present study, 25 pork carcasses were randomly selected from the dressing line of a pork processing plant, in order to evaluate the hygienic status of the carcasses produced in the plant. From each carcass, after evisceration and also after final washing, 500 Clll2 area was swabbed, which consisted of 100 cm2 each from jowl, shoulder, bacon, loin and ham areas. Samples collected, after evisceration were pooled into 500 1111 diluent, which formed the initial test samples. Similarly, the initial test sample was also prepared with the samples collected from the finally washed carcasses. This sample was tested to evaluate the bacterial quality of carcasses by estimating total viable count, coliforms count, Escherichia coli count and faecal streptocoecal count. The sample was also used for the isolation and identification Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Samples from environment, processing equipment, hand wash of personnel, scalding tank water and HOPE pouches were also tested to estimate the bacterial load. Analysis of variance test revealed signi ficunt (Peviscerated and finally washed carcasses. The mean count in the former and latter groups or carcasses was 5.14 L O.I() and 5.31 :L 0.16 loglo cfu/cm", respectively. In ()4,20 and le) per cent or the eviscerated carcasses the count was at levels 105, 104 and 10.1 cfu/cm", respectively. III tile latter group or carcasses, eight, 56,32 and four per cent had the count at the level of 10(1, 105, 104 and io' cfu/crn", respectively. The mean coli forms count of eviscerated carcasses was 1.89 ± 0.17 10g\O cfu/cm ' and the count in the finally washed carcasses was 1.99 ± 0.23 10glO cfu/crn". night and 24 per cent ni' samples bclongiru; to both groups had tile count at the level of 102 cfu/cm". The count ill 52 ami 24 per cent or eviscerated and finally washed carcass samples was at the level or lolcru/C\\l2. Eviscerated carcasses had a mean Escherichia coli count of 1.19 ± 0.08 loglo cfu/cm ' and the count ill finnl ly washed carcasses was 1.29 :I: 0.12 loglo cfu/cm", The organism was not detected in RO and R4 per cent or eviscerated and finally washed carcasses, respectively. Tile count in I () and four per cent of the former group or carcasses was at levels I {)2 and I ()I Cl'U/CI1l2. respectively. In eight per cent each of finally washed carcasses, the count was at the level of 102 and 101 cfu/cm2. '~he eviscerated and finally wash cd carcasses had a mean faecal streptococcal count of 3.19 ± 0.20 and 3.28 ±O.20 loglo cfu/cm, respectively. The count on 12 per cent of carcasses in each of the above groups, did not reveal the organism. However, in both the groups 01' carcasses, 20 pCI' cent or samples each had the count at 103 cfu/crrr'. The count in 52 pCI' cent of the eviscerated and 60 pCI' cent of the finally washed carcasses was ut the level or 102 cf'U/CIl12. The count at the level of 101 cfu/cm2 was observed in I () pCI' cent or the eviscerated and eight pCI' cent of the finally washed carcasses. Analysis 01' the data revealed positive and significant (P<0.05) association between CC and ECC in eviscerated and finally washed carcasses. However, a negative but signi ficant (P 0.05) correlation was observed between TVC and CC and TVC and ECC in the finally washed carcasses. Escherichia coli was isolated from 20 per cent of eviscerated carcasses and 16 per cent of finally washed carcasses. Out of 18 isolates recovered from both the groups, 15 fell into 12 scrotypcs and three were untypablc. The serotypes include 05,08,011, 025,060,064,078,088, OlOl, 0119, 0123 and 0140. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from eight and 24 per cent of samples belonging to eviscerated and finally washed carcasses, respectively. None of the carcass samples in both the groups revealed the presence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Air samples at the evisceration area had the highest bacterial count and the lowest was observed at the chilling room. Pond water samples had the highest mean total viable count and coli forms population was seen highest in scalding tank water. Escherichia coli count was highest in hand washing of personnel. None of the pond and tank water samples revealed presence of the organism. Samples collected from the bell semper had the highest mean total viable count and least in packaging material. Samples obtained from carcass splitter had the highest coliforms count. None of the processing cquipmcnts revealed the presence of Escherichia coli. Cutting board samples showed the highest faecal streptococcal, count.