Carcass Contamination Research Articles

The Use of Probiotics in the Reduction of Campylobacter spp. Prevalence in Poultry.

Simple SummaryAccording to European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), human campylobacteriosis is the most commonly diagnosed zoonotic disease in the EU. In 2018, the Member States reported 246,571 cases (30% increase since 2015). For years, poultry meat and poultry products have been considered a main source for human infections. In 2018, the highest occurrence of Campylobacter spp. was detected in chicken (37.5%) and turkey meat (28.2%). Considering this situation, there has been ongoing discussion regarding the potential strategies to minimize the level of Campylobacter spp. colonization in poultry and therefore in humans. In 2018, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards indicated that use of feed and water additives is the second most likely strategy that can be successful in minimizing Campylobacter spp. colonization rate in broiler chickens. One of these water and feed additives are probiotics—living microorganisms which, when supplemented in the right dose, have a positive effect on microbial ecosystem of the host gut by ensuring a favorable balance between commensal and pathogenic microflora. In this review paper, the authors present current results of the studies concerning the potential use of probiotics as a preventive measure of Campylobacter spp. infection, under laboratory conditions and at a chicken farm level.Campylobacter spp. are widely distributed microorganisms, many of which are commensals of gastrointestinal tract in multiple animal species, including poultry. Most commonly detected are C. jejuni and C. coli. Although infections are usually asymptomatic in poultry, poultry meat and products represent main sources of infection with these bacteria to humans. According to recent EFSA report, campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonotic disease. In 2018, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards indicated that use of feed and water additives is the second most likely strategy that can be successful in minimizing Campylobacter spp. colonization rate in broiler chickens. One of those feed and water additives are probiotics. From numerous research papers it can be concluded that probiotics exhibit plenty of mechanisms of anti-Campylobacter activity, which were evaluated under in vitro conditions. These results, to some extent, can explain the efficacy of probiotics in in vivo studies, although different outcome can be observed under these two laboratory conditions. Probiotics are capable of reducing Campylobacter spp. population count in poultry gastrointestinal tract and they can reduce carcass contamination. Potential modes of anti-Campylobacter activity of probiotics, results of in vivo studies and studies performed at a farm level are widely discussed in the paper.

Meat Quality and Carcass Characteristics Assessments in Broiler Chickens Subjected to Different Pre-Slaughter Feed Withdrawal Times

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different pre-slaughter feed withdrawal on broiler chickens meat yield and quality. Eighteen 42-d-old broilers were submitted to either 9 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal, 12 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal or 15 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal. At the end of each fasting times, the birds were slaughtered following the halal slaughter procedure to assess carcass and meat quality characteristics. The results indicated no differences (P>0.05) in the physicochemical properties of meat among different pre-slaughter fasting times. However, broiler fasted 15 hours possessed the lowest (P<0.05) carcass yields than others. It can deduce that 9h pre-slaughter feed fasting duration had better efficiency on carcass and quality of meat traits but pre-slaughter feed withdrawal duration can last up to 12 hours. Therefore, more investigations are needed to study 9 or 12 hours pre-slaughter feed fasting times on other factors such as carcass contamination and lipid oxidation.

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from broiler carcasses in Mosul city

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus is deemed as one of the main pathogens in human and animals. S. aureus can produce various toxins that usually implicated in food poisoning. S. aureus could possess the mecA gene, which is the principle cause of β-lactam antibiotics resistance, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Broiler’s meat is worthy food for humans, but it may expose to contamination with MRSA during the poultry processes in the slaughterhouse. The current study aimed to assessment the spread of S. aureus and MRSA in the broiler carcasses via detection the nuc and mecA gene and their resistance to different antibiotics. Fifty skin swabs were taken from the broilers carcasses, during their processing in poultry slaughterhouses that scattered in various districts in the Nineveh Governorate during the period between January to April 2020. The results showed that S. aureus was recovered in broiler’s skin swabs at a percentage of 66% (33/50) which confirmed by nuc gene, while MRSA isolates constitute 40% (20/50) of all S. aureus isolates, and distinguished as MRSA by their possessing mecA gene. All MRSA isolates were resistant to Ampicillin/Sulbactam, Methicillin, and Ampicillin/Cloxacillin antibiotics. The present study stressed on the reduction as much as any possible source of broiler carcasses contamination with S. aureus including MRSA during and post poultry processing, through applying high levels of hygienic conditions in all poultry processing premises to attain high standards of sustainability and public health standards.

Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Beef Carcasses in Namwala and Lusaka Districts of Zambia

Abattoirs have been purported to be ideal areas were possible microbial contamination of meat products is likely to occur. Food of animal origin, mainly beef, has been identified as a source of dietary protein for humans albeit it being a source of food-borne diseases including zoonoses. This study was carried out to evaluate bacterial contamination and the risk factors associated with contamination of beef carcasses during processing. A total of four abattoirs were sampled within three months with one in Namwala and three in Lusaka districts. A total of 314 beef carcass surface swabs were obtained from the neck region by swabbing the carcasses, immediately after evisceration and after washing. Results The results of mean total viable counts (TVC) of carcass contamination were enumerated as the mean log from 4.7 Log10 cfu/cm2 in an abattoir where Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) was practiced to 5.8 Log10 cfu/cm2 without HACCP. Bivariate analysis showed a significant difference in carcass contamination when town abattoirs (Lusaka) were compared with rural ones (Namwala); χ2 = 43.87, P &lt; 0.0001. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified poor hygiene practices, the absence of antemortem inspection, and lack of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) implementation as significant factors associated with carcass contamination. Conclusion A high microbial load as determined by the Total Viable Count is an indicator that beef is being produced under poor abattoir hygiene conditions. Therefore, beef carcasses with high bacterial loads are potential sources of foodborne pathogens leading to foodborne disease and hence there is need for advocating for good hygiene practices in the abattoirs.

Reducing Campylobacter jejuni,Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and Total Aerobic Bacteria on Broiler Carcasses Using Combined Ultrasound and Steam

Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently reported foodborne illness in Europe and many other parts of the world. Campylobacter can colonize the intestines of broilers, mostly in large amounts. Broilers are usually slaughtered in a high-speed automated system that could cause rupture of the intestines during evisceration, resulting in contamination of carcasses with intestinal bacteria like Campylobacter. This study evaluated the combined effects of ultrasound and steam (SonoSteam) on naturally contaminated chicken carcasses at a large-scale abattoir in Sweden. Ultrasound at 30 to 40 kHz and steam at 84 to 85°C or 87 to 88°C were used at slaughter, with a line speed of 18,000 birds per hour. The amounts of Campylobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, and total aerobic bacteria on neck skins from 103 chicken carcasses, sampled before and after treatment by ultrasound-steam, were analyzed. Campylobacter spp. were quantified in 58 (56%) of the neck skins, from birds belonging to four of the seven flocks represented. All 58 isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni. After the ultrasound-steam treatment, the mean reductions in C. jejuni, Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and total aerobic bacteria were 0.5 ± 0.8, 0.6 ± 0.6, 0.5 ± 0.6, and 0.4 ± 0.7 log CFU/g, respectively. No significant differences in reduction between the two different treatment temperatures were observed for any of the bacteria. Although the bacterial reductions were significant, large amounts of bacteria remained on the carcasses after treatment. Further studies are needed to identify optimal measures at slaughter to reduce food spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, which should be considered in a One Health perspective.

Impact of On-Farm Interventions against CTX-Resistant Escherichia coli on the Contamination of Carcasses before and during an Experimental Slaughter.

Cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are still an ongoing challenge in human and veterinary health. High prevalence of these resistant bacteria is detected in broiler chickens and the prevention of their dissemination along the production pyramid is of major concern. The impact of certain on-farm interventions on the external bacterial contamination of broiler chickens, as well as their influence on single processing steps and (cross-) contamination, have not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we investigated breast skin swab samples of broiler chickens before and during slaughter at an experimental slaughter facility. Broiler chickens were previously challenged with CTX-resistant Escherichia coli strains in a seeder-bird model and subjected to none (control group (CG)) or four different on-farm interventions: drinking water supplementation based on organic acids (DW), slow growing breed Rowan × Ranger (RR), reduced stocking density (25 kg/sqm) and competitive exclusion with Enterobacteriales strain IHIT36098(CE). Chickens of RR, 25 kg/sqm, and CE showed significant reductions of the external contamination compared to CG. The evaluation of a visual scoring system indicated that wet and dirty broiler chickens are more likely a vehicle for the dissemination of CTX-resistant and total Enterobacteriaceae into the slaughterhouses and contribute to higher rates of (cross-) contamination during processing.

Study of the transfer of Listeria monocytogenes during the slaughter of cattle using molecular typing

The introduction, transmission, and persistence of Listeria monocytogenes in Belgian beef slaughterhouses was investigated using genetic characterization. During slaughter, samples were taken of the hide, carcass, and environment to detect the pathogen. Remarkably, L. monocytogenes was massively present on the hide of incoming animals (93%; 112/120), regardless of their visual cleanliness, which implies high contamination pressure levels entering the slaughterhouses. Pathogen transfer via cross-contamination was conclusively confirmed in this study, with the same pulsotypes isolated from the hide, carcass, and environmental samples. Despite the important bacterial presence on the hide of incoming animals, most slaughterhouses succeeded in limiting the transfer as cause of carcass contamination. Persistence along the slaughter line seemed to be a more significant problem, as it was clearly linked to most of the L. monocytogenes positive carcasses. In one slaughterhouse, whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that the carcass splitter had been contaminating carcasses with the same strain belonging to CC9 for more than one year.

Salmonella Infection in Nursery Piglets and Its Role in the Spread of Salmonellosis to Further Production Periods.

Few studies have focused on assessing Salmonella infection in the nursery and its role in further pig production periods. Mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal content, and meat juice from 389 6-week-old male piglets intended for human consumption from five breeding farms and 191 pooled floor fecal samples from gilt development units (GDU) from the same farms were analyzed to estimate and characterize (by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and antimicrobial resistance analyses) Salmonella infection. The prevalence of infection and shedding among piglets was 36.5% and 37.3%, respectively, shedding being significantly associated with infection (Odds Ratio = 12.7; CI 7.3–22.0). Salmonella Rissen; S. 4,[5],12:i:-; and S. Derby were the most common serotypes. A low level of Salmonella-specific maternal antibodies at the beginning of the nursery period suggested it was a period of high risk of infection. Resistance to 3rd- and 4th-generation cephalosporins was detected in piglet isolates although the piglets never received antibiotics, indicating they could be vectors of antimicrobial resistance. The same Salmonella clones were detected in piglet and GDU isolates, suggesting that infected piglets play a significant role in the infection of gilts and consequently of finishing pigs in the case of production farms. The control of Salmonella infection in nursery piglets may decrease the risk of abattoir and carcass contamination.

Assessment of Bacteriological Quality of Sheep Carcasses, Effect Level of 2.5% Citric Acid Spray on Bacterial Contamination of Meat, and Hygiene Practices of Workers in a Selected Abattoir in Debrezeit Town, Central Ethiopia.

Background:Meat safety is important for public health. As part of the meat chain abattoirs are required to give attention to meat hygiene and safety in order to minimize hazards. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the bacteriological quality of sheep carcasses, knowledge and hygienic practices of workers in a selected abattoir and to determine the effect level of 2.5% citric acid spray on total coliforms and aerobic bacteria load of raw sheep carcasses surfaces.Methods:A cross-sectional study design with structured questionnaire and observational checklists observation were used. A systematic random sampling technique was employed. A total of 50 sample swabs (25 swabs before citric acid spray and 25 after citric acid spray) were randomly taken from brisket, flank and rump of sheep’s carcasses. Swabs were moistened with buffered peptone water (BPW) and samples were taken by rubbing 100 cm2 (10 cm × 10 cm) area delineated by sterile aluminum template. In addition, we administered a structured questionnaire and an observational checklists to assess knowledge and hygienic practices of workers. Bacteriological quality of sheep carcasses were analyzed using the methods described by the US bacteriological analytical manual.Results:The mean count for aerobic bacteria of the sheep carcasses before and after citric acid spray were 7.2log10 CFU/ml and 6.4log10 CFU/ml, respectively. The test results also showed that 21 (84%) and 15 (60%) of the swab samples were positive before and after spraying citric acid, respectively. The mean counts for coliform bacterial of the sheep carcasses before and after citric acid spray were 3.5log10 CFU/ml and 2.9log10 CFU/ml, respectively. The mean total aerobic and coliform counts before and after citric acid spray were significantly different (P < .05). Regarding the hygiene condition of workers, all the respondents reported that they always washed their hands with soap before and after entering the slaughtering room and 23 (53.5%) of the workers reported that they used hot water. Thirty-one (72.1%) of the workers reported that they do not used soap to wash hands after visiting toilet. Thirty-five (81.4%) of the production workers did not wear mouth mask while handling and distribute meat/carcass. On the other hand, all of the workers wore capes, gowns and boots at the time of the observation and only 18 (18.6%) of the production workers wore gloves at the time of the survey.Conclusion:The current study revealed that significant proportion of sheep carcasses were positive for total aerobic bacteria and total coliform. Moreover, the study also showed that spraying of sheep carcasses with 2.5% citric acid significantly reduced the total coliform and aerobic counts. However, we did not assessed how much spray results to this effect. Therefore, we recommended further studies to determine how much spray of 2.5% citric acid significantly reduce bacterial contamination of sheep carcasses. In addition, the abattoir has to follow the food hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system to minimize meat contamination during harvesting and processing. The abattoir has to also implement strict operation laws to improve hygiene conditions of the workers. In addition, the abattoir can minimize meat contamination using 2.5% citric acid as a decontaminant.

Comparison of Bacterial Cross-Contamination among Broiler Carcasses between Commercial and Non-Commercial Processed System and Its Public Health Implications

Objectives: This study aimed to conduct a comparative assessment of bacterial cross-contamination in commercial and non-commercial processing plants including associated risk factors for bacterial contamination. Study Design: This was analytic cross sectional survey on bacterial contamination of broiler carcasses between different processing systems. Introduction: Zambia, like most African and Asian Countries, still practices “live-open non-commercial broiler carcass processing systems” besides the “closed abattoir based systems”. However, shelf life, spoilage and hygiene levels have been postulated to vary based on the type of processing system. Live-open non-commercial processing systems are popular among majority consumers owing to their perceived “freshness”, compared to commercially dressed chickens. In between, consumers have to balance freshness and quality assurance. Ultimately, this becomes inert, remotely but an important public health issue. However, lack of empirical evidence on safety levels to guide consumer product selection leaves them to speculation. It is this need to close this gap that created an impetus for us to undertake this study. Methods: Biological samples were collected before carcass wash and after carcass wash alongside a structured questionnaire that gathered risk-associated data. Standard microbiological enumeration methods were used to isolate bacteria and enumerate contamination. Results: Broiler carcasses processed from “open” non-commercial systems were more contaminated (45.6%) than “closed-abattoir” commercially processed systems (35%). Escherichia coli were major contaminants (71.3%) and few Salmonella spices (typhi or para-typhi) in 1.3%. Risk analysis indicates washing (method) of carcasses at commercial systems was significantly more risky for contamination than non-commercial ones. Major sources of contamination were “distance from water sources”. Increased volume of slaughters per day (>15,000 birds) for commercial systems accounted for increased cross-contamination, particularly, distance from water source was a ma-jor risk factor for contamination.

Abattoir-based study of Salmonella prevalence in pigs at slaughter in Great Britain

Abstract Consumption of pork and pork products can be associated with outbreaks of human salmonellosis. Salmonella infection is usually subclinical in pigs, and farm-based control measures are challenging to implement. To obtain data on Salmonella prevalence, samples can be collected from pigs during the slaughter process. Here we report the results of a Great Britain (GB) based abattoir survey conducted by sampling caecal contents from pigs in nine British pig abattoirs during 2019. Samples were collected according to a randomised stratified scheme, and pigs originating from 286 GB farms were included in this survey. Salmonella was isolated from 112 pig caecal samples; a prevalence of 32.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27.4–37.4]. Twelve different Salmonella serovars were isolated, with the most common serovars being S. 4,[5],12:i:-, a monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium (36.6% of Salmonella-positive samples), followed by S. Derby (25.9% of Salmonella-positive samples). There was no significant difference compared to the estimate of overall prevalence (30.5% (95% CI 26.5–34.6)) obtained in the last abattoir survey conducted in the UK (2013). Abattoir-based control measures are often effective in the reduction of Salmonella contamination of carcasses entering the food chain. In this study, the effect of abattoir hygiene practices on the prevalence of Salmonella on carcasses was not assessed. Continuing Salmonella surveillance at slaughter is recommended to assess effect of farm-based and abattoir-based interventions and to monitor potential public health risk associated with consumption of Salmonella-contaminated pork products.

Detection of Psychrophilic Clostridium spp. in Fecal Samples from Cattle of Different Ages Sampled at the Slaughterhouse Level

Clostridium estertheticum and C. estertheticum-like spp. are obligate anaerobic psychrophiles causing "blown pack" spoilage of chilled vacuum-packed meat. The present study aimed at detecting and isolating these spoilage bacteria in fecal samples of cattle of different ages at the slaughterhouse level. One hundred two swab fecal samples were obtained and enriched anaerobically in prereduced peptone-yeast-glucose-starch (PYGS) medium for 3 weeks at 4°C and then screened for C. estertheticum and C. estertheticum-like spp. by using a 16S rRNA gene-based real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay. The RT-PCR-positive samples were further enriched for 3 weeks in prereduced PYGS medium and then subjected to an ethanol (50%, v/v) and lysozyme (4 mg/mL) treatment. Isolation was carried out anaerobically on Columbia agar with 5% defibrinated sheep blood at 4°C for 3 weeks. Isolated strains were identified morphologically and by the 16S rRNA gene. Forty (39%) of 102 samples were RT-PCR positive. The frequency of positive samples was the following: 9 (45%) of 20 in calves (aged ≤160 days), 23 (43%) of 54 in young cattle (aged 161 to 1,000 days), and 8 (29%) of 28 in cows or bulls (aged >1,000 days). Six strains were isolated from 6 of 40 RT-PCR-positive samples. Of these, five were from the calves (n = 1) and young cattle (n = 4). The six isolates were identified as C. estertheticum (n = 1), Clostridium frigoriphilum (n = 1), and C. estertheticum-like spp. (n = 4). The present findings confirm that feces of cattle are an important source of psychrophilic Clostridium spp. The fecal carriage among livestock animals at slaughter is strongly correlated with the risk of carcass contamination. Therefore, the maintenance of slaughter hygiene is of central importance.

Assessment of abattoirs operations and hygiene practices in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

A survey was conducted to appraise the location, infrastructures, and slaughter operational activities in three abattoirs at Rumuokoro, Trans-Amadi and Rumuosi in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Thirty butchers of 10 per abattoir were purposively sampled for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and mean statistics Results of the socio-demographic characteristics of the butchers revealed that they were all males, married, within the age of 35 - 44years, literate, with a butchering experience of 16 years upwards in private or public/Government owned abattoirs. The slaughter houses were located in areas devoid of bad odours, smoke, dust and close to coastal areas affected by tides to promote good sanitation. There were no adequately constructed lairages, Ante-mortem inspection and isolation pens were inadequate. There were no facilities and rooms for handling hides and skins, treatment of inedible and condemned carcass and meat. Animals were poorly restrained and not stunned before slaughtering. The slaughter houses had planned and controlled cleaning programs but lacked efficient disinfection operations and this will contribute to bacterial contamination of carcasses. The operational lapses by butchers were due to the use of obsolete facilities that lacked maintenance and inadequate supervision. This condition had brought about poor hygienic practices that undermine the quality of carcasses. The recommendations proffered are: the provision and maintenance facilities for effective operations to ensure carcass quality, to adequately enforce enacted laws on abattoir operations, there should be enlightenment for butchers and meat sellers, and there should be effective management of the wastes from slaughterhouses through regular fumigations and disposal systems.

59 Autolized yeast reduces microbiological contamination of the carcass in steers finished in a feedlot

Abstract The use of feed additives based on yeast cell wall has already been studied to favor the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria to the detriment of pathogenic bacteria in ruminants. This fact reduces diarrhea, increases animal performance, and could promote lesser contamination of the bovine carcass at the time of slaughter, during the evisceration. The present study aims to verify if the yeast cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae autolyzed yeast (AY) reduces total coliforms and Escherichia coli in feces and bovine carcass. Therefore, 36 steers, ½ Angus blood, finished in a feedlot, were submitted to three daily treatments for 105 days: control (diet without yeast), AY 4g (4g/animal/day, 2 x 1010cel/g of a commercial product based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae RumenYeast®), AY 7g (7g/animal/day, RumenYeast®). On days 29 and 90, after beginning in the feedlot, samples of feces were collected for E. coli and total coliforms identifications and counting. On the day of slaughter, 4 points of the carcasses were collected to identify and quantify E. coli, total fecal coliforms, and mesophiles by a petrifilm methodology. There was a reduction in E. coli and total coliforms for the AY 7g in the fecal samples comparing to the other groups (P = 0.0008 and 0.008, respectively), and a trend to reduce E. coli, total coliforms and mesophilic aerobes in the bovine carcass in AY 4g and AY 7g, comparing to the control group (P = 0.06; 0.10, and 0.05, respectively). It was concluded that supplementation with autolyzed yeast, especially when utilized in higher doses (7g), reduced fecal excretion and, consequently, reduce the carcass contamination by E. coli, mesophiles, and, total coliforms in animals during the feedlot period.

Evaluation of effect of chilling steps during slaughtering on the Campylobacter sp. counts on broiler carcasses

Campylobacter spp. play an increasing role as foodborne pathogens, with poultry representing the main vehicle of infection, and control measures at the slaughterhouse have been implemented in the last years. In this study, 2 trials were performed, evaluating the effect of the chilling phases currently applied in an industrial slaughterhouse on the Campylobacter sp. contamination of broiler carcasses. In the first trial, neck skin samples were taken from 13 flocks before and after the on-chain air chilling and submitted to analysis of Campylobacter sp. count; in the second trial, 63 carcasses or cuts stored in the chilling room for variable times, with or without skin, were submitted to analysis of Campylobacter sp. count. A selection of 75 isolates was identified by PCR. All carcass skin samples taken from the first trial showed Campylobacter sp. counts higher than 0.7 log cfu/g. A wide variability in the counts (about 3 logs) was detected, showing a high correlation between the counts obtained before and after chilling. A slight decrease (P = 0.011) was observed after chilling (mean difference of about 0.3 log cfu/g), also if variability was observed among the flocks; the number of samples with high Campylobacter sp. counts (≥3 log cfu/g) was reduced (P = 0.010). In the second trial, low counts were generally detected (almost all lower than 3 log cfu/g). An evident decreasing trend was observed during storage, but the survival rate of Campylobacter on the cuts with skin was higher. All the isolates were identified as Campylobacter jejuni (72%) or Campylobacter coli. The data obtained were compared with the threshold limit set by EC Regulation 2073/2005, evidencing the impact of the sampling point on the counts. Our results highlighted the importance of applying a hurdle strategy including on-chain chilling and strict respect of the cold chain, allowing the food business operator to fulfill the process hygiene criteria and avoiding the delivery of highly contaminated meats.

Prevalence and risk of staphylococcal and coliform carcass contamination of chickens slaughtered in the informal market in Gauteng, South Africa

PurposeThe primary objective was to determine the prevalence of indicator microorganisms [Staphylococcus aureus, non-S. aureus staphylococci (NSAS), coliforms and aerobic bacteria] for contamination of chicken carcasses, carcass drip and rinse water from the informal chicken market in Gauteng, South Africa.Design/methodology/approachChicken swabs, chicken drips and rinse waters were collected from 151 chickens from 47 random outlets. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to capture the risk factors for bacterial contamination. Standard microbiological procedures were conducted for isolation and enumeration of target bacteria.FindingsNSAS (64% and 41%) and S. aureus (12% and 31%) were prevalent on carcasses and in carcass drip respectively. Coliforms (62%) and aerobic bacteria (85%) were detected in rinse water. Significant risk factors for contamination of carcasses with NSAS, S. aureus and coliform organisms were: evisceration of chickens on the same location used for sale, cleaning of display counter with dirty clothes/wipes, holding of differently sourced chickens in the same cage prior to slaughter, not cleaning the display table/counter and hands at all, washing knives in rinse water, high turnover of daily slaughter and length of time to display chickens.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research were the limited geographical coverage and small sample size.Practical implicationsThe isolation of these indicator microorganisms suggests the potential presence of other chicken-borne pathogens not tested for in the study.Social implicationsThe findings serve to inform policy on public health and street-vended food and can guide control on good sanitary practices.Originality/valueThis is the first comprehensive report on ready to eat chickens from the informal markets in Gauteng, South Africa.

Influence of pre-slaughter fasting time on weight loss, meat quality and carcass contamination in broilers.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to determine the appropriate fasting time prior to slaughter for broilers in floor-feed and scatter-feed mode.MethodsOn 21 d since hatching, 120 Arbor Acres broilers were divided into floor-feed and scatter-feed groups, chicks from each group were further assigned to feed withdrawal treatments for 0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h. Some resultant indicators such as carcass contamination, body weight loss, meat quality of 54-day-old broilers were measured.ResultsIt appears that longer feed withdrawal increased weight loss, lightness, drop loss of meat but reduced pH. A significant higher weight loss and lightness for both floor-feed and scatter-feed chicks coincided after 6 to 10 h feed withdrawal (p<0.05). pH for breast muscle at 45 min postmortem reduced when chicks of scatter-feed were fasted 6 and 10 h, while the reduction of floor-feed group occurred only in 10 h (p<0.05). A noticeable effect of feed withdrawal on drop loss occurred after 10 h fasting in scatter-feed of which drop loss were significantly higher than that for other groups including control (p<0.05). The change of contamination propensity revealed that 6 to 10 h fasting significantly reduced the likelihood of carcass contamination under both floor-feed and scatter-feed (p<0.05). Net weights of intestinal contents for gizzard were significantly reduced after feed deprived for 10 h in floor-feed and 6 and 10 h in scatter-feed (p<0.05). The decrease for whole intestine occurred after floor-feed broilers have been without feed for more than 4 h, scatter-feed broilers for more than 8 h (p<0.05).ConclusionOn the premise that poultry product properties and welfare were not significantly damaged, proper fasting time could reduce carcass contamination. Current data implied that 6 h fasting was recommendable for both floor and scatter feed pre-slaughter broilers.

Reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium Cecal Colonisation and Improvement of Intestinal Health in Broilers Supplemented with Fermented Defatted 'Alperujo', an Olive Oil By-Product.

Simple SummarySalmonella spp. is a bacterium that places human health at risk by consuming eggs and poultry. In the European Union, the use of antimicrobials to treat salmonellosis in aviculture is no longer permitted due to the resistance to treatment of some bacteria, such as Salmonella spp. For this reason, compounds derived from natural food sources are being increasingly tested to assess their efficacy against Salmonella spp. In this study, chickens were given dietary supplements in the form of fermented defatted ‘alperujo’, a modified olive oil by-product, after which they were infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The chickens given the supplement showed a healthy gut and a reduction in the amount of Salmonella spp. in the cecum. In conclusion, this olive oil by-product may contribute to preventing and controlling salmonellosis in farms, as well as reducing environmental contamination.Salmonella spp. contaminates egg and poultry meat leading to foodborne infections in humans. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains has limited the use of antimicrobials. We aimed to determine the effects of the food supplement, fermented defatted ‘alperujo’ (FDA), a modified olive oil by-product, on Salmonella Typhimurium colonisation in broilers. One hundred and twenty 1-day-old broilers were divided into four experimental groups—two control groups and two treated groups, and challenged with S. Typhimurium at day 7 or 21. On days 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 of life, duodenum and cecum tissue samples were collected for histopathological and histomorphometric studies. Additionally, cecum content was collected for Salmonella spp. detection by culture and qPCR, and for metagenomic analysis. Our results showed a significant reduction of Salmonella spp. in the cecum of 42-day-old broilers, suggesting that fermented defatted ‘alperujo’ limits Salmonella Typhimurium colonization in that cecum and may contribute to diminishing the risk of carcass contamination at the time of slaughter. The improvement of the mucosal integrity, observed histologically and morphometrically, may contribute to enhancing intestinal health and to limiting Salmonella spp. colonisation in the host, mitigating production losses. These results could provide evidence that FDA would contribute to prophylactic and therapeutic measures to reduce salmonellosis prevalence in poultry farms.

Removal of final wash in chicken slaughter process does not affect microbiological quality of carcasses

Water is used in several stages of the technological process of chicken slaughter. Since it is a finite natural resource, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reducing the water flow in the final wash on the superficial microbial contamination of chicken carcasses in a slaughterhouse. The experimental design was completely randomized (3 × 10 × 3), and comprised the evaluation of three treatments, i.e., absence of water (T1), flow of 1 L per carcass (T2), and flow of 1.5 L per carcass (T3), with 10 repetitions performed in triplicates. A total of 240 samples were obtained at three points in the slaughter line: before (A, n = 90) and after (B, n = 60) the final washing of the carcasses and after cooling (C, n = 90). Analyses of counts of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, enterobacteria, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli were performed. The final wash reduced the microbiological contamination of the carcasses but suffered direct interference from the pre-cooling system (P > 0.05), which canceled the reduction. Hence, the final wash step may be removed without affecting the microbiological quality of the carcasses, making it possible to reduce water consumption and effluent generation.

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis probiotic supplementation on cecal Salmonella load in broilers challenged with salmonella

The overall objective in this study is to determine the effects of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis probiotic supplementation on performance and cecal Salmonella load in broilers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar enteritidis. A total of 360 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 4 experimental groups in a 2 × 2 factorial setup of treatments: control, control + challenge, probiotics (10 mg/kg feed of B. subtilis strain HU58; HU58 plus 100 mg/kg feed of B. licheniformis SC307; Prepro; Microbiome Labs, Saint Augustine, FL), and probiotics + challenge. Each treatment was replicated in 6 pens (n = 6) with 15 chicks per pen. At 21 d of age, all birds in the challenge groups were inoculated orally with 250 μL of 1 × 109 cfu S. enteritidis. At 42 d of age, birds in the control + challenge group had 180-g decrease, whereas birds in the probiotic + challenge groups had only 40-g decrease in the BW gain, compared with the control group. At 28 d of age, birds in the control + challenge group had 220-g decrease, whereas birds in the probiotic + challenge groups had only 140-g decrease in feed consumption compared with that in the control group. Birds in the probiotic + challenge group had 0.73, 1.59, and 1.32 log decrease in Salmonella cfu/g of cecal contents at 5, 12, and 21 d after Salmonella infection, compared with the challenge group. Birds in the challenge group had higher (P < 0.05) titers of anti-Salmonella IgA in the bile. Birds in the probiotic + challenge group had further increased (P < 0.05) anti-Salmonella bile IgA titers compared with the birds in the challenge group. At 21 d after Salmonella infection, birds in the challenge group had 17.3-μm decrease (P < 0.05) in the villus height compared with the control group, whereas birds in the probiotics + challenge group had a comparable villus height to that in the probiotic group. It can be concluded that B. subtilis and B. Licheniformis probiotic can be a tool in decreasing Salmonella loads in the broiler's gastrointestinal tract, and B. subtilis and B. Licheniformis supplementation can be expected to decrease broiler carcass contamination with Salmonella.