Microbial load of rinsed and unrinsed body cavities of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) on the killing day and after cold storage: A preliminary investigation

Abstract

Ensuring good game meat hygiene is a challenge in the hunting supply chain. Game carcasses can be soiled with intestinal contents or other substances from the environment due to hunting and handling practices. This soiling can increase the microbial load (ML) of the carcass and the resulting game meat. The aim of this study was to investigate whether rinsing of soiled and unsoiled body cavities with drinking water can reduce the ML of carcasses. Carcasses of 23 roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) were processed, either rinsed (n = 12) or unrinsed (n = 11), and examined for ML. Swab and muscle samples were taken from the carcasses at killing day and after 3 days of cold storage. The levels of ML were comparable for the rinsed and unrinsed roe deer carcasses with an increase of Pseudomonas spp. during cold storage. Initial ML seems to be independent of visible soiling. Other factors affecting the initial ML should be determined in future studies. • The effect of rinsing roe deer carcasses was less than expected. • Visual impression of soiling was not reflected in higher counts of initial microbial load. • Other influencing factors for high initial ML should be investigated more in detail in future studies.