Evaluation of bacteriological quality of pork carcasses in a processing plant
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Date
2003
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Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
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.
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PG
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Citation
172252