Poultry Skin Research Articles

Possibilities of microscopic detection of isolated porcine proteins in model meat products

In recent years, various protein additives intended for manufacture of meat products have increasing importance in the food industry. These ingredients include both, plant-origin as well as animal-origin proteins. Among animal proteins, blood plasma, milk protein or collagen are used most commonly. Collagen is obtained from pork, beef, and poultry or fish skin. Collagen does not contain all the essential amino acids, thus it is not a full protein in terms of essential amino acids supply for one's organism. However, it is rather rich in amino acids of glycine, hydroxyproline and proline which are almost absent in other proteins and their synthesis is very energy intensive. Collagen, which is added to the soft and small meat products in the form of isolated porcine protein, significantly affects the organoleptic properties of these products. This work focused on detection of isolated porcine protein in model meat products where detection of isolated porcine protein was verified by histological staining and light microscopy. Seven model meat products from poultry meat and 7 model meat products from beef and pork in the ratio of 1:1, which contained 2.5% concentration of various commercially produced isolated porcine proteins, were examined. These model meat products were histologically processed by means of cryosections and stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining, toluidine blue staining and Calleja. For the validation phase, Calleja was utilized. To determine the sensitivity and specificity, five model meat products containing the addition of isolated porcine protein and five model meat products free of it were used. The sensitivity was determined for isolated porcine protein at 1.00 and specificity was determined at 1.00. The detection limit of the method was at the level of 0.001% addition. Repeatability of the method was carried out using products with addition as well as without addition of isolated porcine protein and detection was repeated 10 times. Repeatability in both, positive and negative samples, for isolated porcine protein was determined at 100%. The results show that the histological processing of cryosections stained using Calleja is suitable for detecting isolated porcine protein in meat products.

The Effects of 405-nm Visible Light on the Survival of Campylobacter on Chicken Skin and Stainless Steel.

Campylobacter spp. are foodborne pathogens responsible for a significant portion of human cases of bacterial-mediated gastrointestinal disease. A primary method for the introduction of Campylobacter into the food supply is through poultry products. Reducing the number of Campylobacter on poultry products may reduce the incidence of human disease. Research has been conducted on the use of light to inactivate Campylobacter on poultry products and processing environments. More recently, the use of high intensity visible 405-nm light has been proposed for the elimination of pathogenic bacteria. This study investigated the ability of 405-nm light to reduce Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in poultry products. Campylobacter in chicken exudate were placed onto chicken skin or food-grade stainless steel before treatment with 405-nm light. A range of 405-nm light doses were applied to cocktails of six C. jejuni or six C. coli strains in exudate at 10°C to minimize thermal effects. Little difference was observed between inactivation of C. jejuni and C. coli on poultry skin with only minor average reductions of 1.7 logs and 2.1 logs, respectively, at the maximal dose of 184-186 J/cm(2). More noticeable differences were observed when the samples were placed on stainless steel and treated with a dose of 89 J/cm(2), producing an average reduction of 3.0 logs for C. coli but only 1.1 logs for C. jejuni. The maximal dose (181-183 J/cm(2)) applied to Campylobacter on stainless steel produced significant (p ≤ 0.05) reductions for C. jejuni and C. coli of 4.9 logs and 5.1 logs, respectively. However, significant 405-nm-mediated reductions in Campylobacter numbers required exposure times to achieve necessary dose levels that might be impractical under processing conditions. In addition, the most potent exposure times likely produced secondary thermal effects by raising sample surface temperatures above 48°C.

Pathological study of experimentally induced tick bitten (Argas persicus) in poultry skin

The fowl blood sucking tick is of great medical and veterinary importance in tropical and subtropical regions because of its role as the vector of certain parasitic bacterial and viral pathogens. In this study, the pathological changes of its bite on the poultry skin have been investigated. Twenty two (12 infested with adults and 10 infested with nymphs) Ross broilers (308) were infested with the tick on the skin of hock joints. Other side healthy legs were used as control. Samples were collected after 6, 24, 48 and 96 hours and 1 or 2 weeks. The skin samples were fixed at 10% buffered formalin and histological sections were prepared using routine Haematoxylin and Eosin staining method. The results showed subcutaneous oedema, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, extensive hemorrhage, feather follicle oedema. Necrosis and epidermal hyperplasia are the prominent lesions in this study. It is concluded that the chicken infestation with Argas persicus caused cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. Therefore, it can be considered as a cause of economic loss.

Development of a Novel Microbicide for Control of Foodborne Pathogens

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com MOJ Food Process Technol 2015, 1(1): 00003 chemicals, levulinic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) can inactivate all bacteria as tested. Results revealed that a solution with 0.5% levulinic acid and 0.05% SDS provided a ca. 7 log CFU/ ml reduction of E. coli O157:H7, S. Enteritidis, and S. Typhimurium DT104 within 1 min (processing time). Its effect as a rinse solution to remove E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella was confirmed with romaine lettuce and poultry skin [1]. The advantage of levulinic acid over other organic acids is its characteristics; including it does not produce corrosion, its safety to human, and it can keep the quality of treated produce.

Antibacterial Activity of Pomegranate, Orange and Lemon Peel Extracts Against Food-Borne Pathogens and Spoilage Bacteria In vitro and on Poultry Skin

Antibacterial Activity of Pomegranate, Orange and Lemon Peel Extracts Against Food-Borne Pathogens and Spoilage Bacteria In vitro and on Poultry Skin

Efficacy of Antimicrobials Extracted from Organic Pecan Shell for Inhibiting the Growth of Listeria spp.

Growers and processors of USDA certified organic foods are in need of suitable organic antimicrobials. The purpose of the research reported here was to develop and test natural antimicrobials derived from an all-natural by-product, organic pecan shells. Unroasted and roasted organic pecan shells were subjected to solvent free extraction to produce antimicrobials that were tested against Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes serotypes to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobials. The effectiveness of pecan shell extracts were further tested using a poultry skin model system and the growth inhibition of the Listeria cells adhered onto the skin model were quantified. The solvent free extracts of pecan shells inhibited Listeria strains at MICs as low as 0.38%. The antimicrobial effectiveness tests on a poultry skin model exhibited nearly a 2 log reduction of the inoculated cocktail mix of Listeria strains when extracts of pecan shell powder were used. The extracts also produced greater than a 4 log reduction of the indigenous spoilage bacteria on the chicken skin. Thus, the pecan shell extracts may prove to be very effective alternative antimicrobials against food pathogens and supplement the demand for effective natural antimicrobials for use in organic meat processing.

Molecular detection of avian pox virus from nodular skin and mucosal fibrinonecrotic lesions of Iranian backyard poultry

In recent years, some outbreaks of skin lesions suspected to be avian pox were observed in the backyard poultry in different parts of western areas in Iran. Consequently, 328 backyard poultries with suspected signs of avian pox virus infection were sampled. All birds showed nodular lesions on unfeathered head skin and/or fibronecrotic lesions on mucus membrane of the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. For histopathological analysis, the sections of tissue samples from cutaneous lesions of examined birds were stained with H&E method. For PCR, after DNA extraction a 578-bp fragment of avian pox virus from 4b core protein gene was amplified. Results showed 217 and 265 out of 328 (66.1 and 80.7%, respectively) samples were positive for avian pox virus on histopathological and PCR examination, respectively. In this study, the samples that had intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies on pathologic examination were PCR positive. This study revealed that PCR is a valuable tool for identification of an avian pox virus and that the frequency of pox infection in backyard poultry in western areas of Iran is high.

An investigation of the immediate and storage effects of chemical treatments on Campylobacter and sensory characteristics of poultry meat

Campylobacteriosis is the most common foodborne bacterial infection in developed countries and many cases are associated with poultry. This study investigated the immediate and storage effect of dipping inoculated poultry skin samples in trisodium phosphate (TSP, 10 & 14%, w/v), lactic acid (LA, 1 & 5%, v/v), citric acid (CA, 1 & 5%, w/v), peroxyacids (POA, 100 & 200ppm) and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC, 500 & 1200ppm). Spray application was also tested using the higher concentrations in the laboratory. In a broiler processing plant the efficacy of using TSP (14%) and CA (5%) applied by immersion and spray was investigated using naturally contaminated carcasses and the effect of these treatments on the sensory attributes of a skin-on (drumstick) and skin-off (fillet) raw and cooked product was assessed using descriptive sensory analysis. In the laboratory, immersion in TSP (14%), LA (5%), CA (5%) and ASC (1200ppm) significantly (P<0.05) reduced the Campylobacter counts and a 2.5 to 3log10 cfu/cm2 reduction was observed within the shelf-life (3–5days) of poultry meat. Spraying was ineffective even after storage. In the broiler processing plant, immersion in TSP (14%) or CA (5%) achieved Campylobacter reductions of 2.49 and 1.44log10 cfu/cm2, respectively. There were no significant differences between the treatments for any of the attributes measured in either raw or cooked drumsticks. The ‘colour’ of raw chicken fillets treated with both TSP (14%, w/v) and CA (5%, w/v) was significantly (P≤0.05) lighter than that of control samples. The ‘intensity of chicken odour’ and the perception of ‘salt’ in cooked chicken fillets treated with CA (5%, w/v) were also significantly (P≤0.05) higher than that of either control or TSP (14%, w/v) treated samples. It was concluded that TSP (14%) or CA (5%) could be applied to significantly reduce Campylobacter contamination of broilers without adversely affecting the sensory quality of the product.

Efficacy of malic acid against Listeria monocytogenes attached to poultry skin during refrigerated storage

This work evaluated the effect of malic acid washing on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on poultry legs stored at 4°C for 8 d. Fresh inoculated chicken legs were dipped into a 1 or 2% malic acid solution (vol/vol) for 5 min or distilled water (control). Surface pH values, sensorial characteristics (odor, color, texture, and overall appearance) and L. monocytogenes, mesophile, psychrotroph, and Enterobacteriaceae counts were evaluated after treatment (d 0) and after 1, 3, 6, and 8 d of storage at 4°C. Legs washed with 2% malic acid showed a significant (P < 0.05) inhibitory effect on L. monocytogenes compared with control legs, with a decrease of about 1.66 log units after treatment. Sensory quality was not adversely affected by malic acid. Treatments with malic acid reduced bacterial growth and preserved reasonable sensorial quality after storage at 4°C for 6 d. This study demonstrates that, although malic acid did reduce populations of L. monocytogenes on poultry, it did not completely inactivate the pathogen. The application of malic acid may be used as an additional hurdle contributing to extend the shelf life of raw poultry.

Efficacy of propionic acid against Listeria monocytogenes attached to poultry skin during refrigerated storage

This work evaluates the effect of propionic acid dip on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on poultry legs stored at 4 °C for 8 days.Fresh inoculated chicken legs were dipped into either 1% or 2% propionic acid solution (v/v) or distilled water (control). Changes in mesophiles, enterobacteriaceae counts and sensorial characteristics (odour, colour and overall appearance) were also evaluated.The shelf life of the samples washed with propionic acid was extended by at least 2 days over the control samples washed with distilled water. Legs washed with 2% propionic acid showed a significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effect on L. monocytogenes compared to control legs, with a decrease of about 2.72 log units after 3 days of storage. Sensory quality was not adversely affected by propionic acid.This study demostrates that while propionic acid did reduce growth of L. monocytogenes on meat, it did not completely inactivate the pathogen.

The influence of slaughterhouse waste on fermentative H2 production from food waste: Preliminary results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of slaughterhouse waste (SHW; essentially the skin, fats, and meat waste of pork, poultry, and beef) in a fermentative co-digestion process for H2 production from pre-selected organic waste taken from a refectory (food waste [FW]). Batch tests under mesophilic conditions were conducted in stirred reactors filled with different proportions of FW and SHW. The addition of 60% and 70% SHW to a mixture of SHW and FW improved H2 production compared to that in FW only, reaching H2-production yields of 145 and 109mlgVS0-1, respectively, which are 1.5–2times higher than that obtained with FW alone. Although the SHW ensured a more stable fermentative process due to its high buffering capacity, a depletion of H2 production occurred when SHW fraction was higher than 70%. Above this percentage, the formation of foam and aggregated material created non-homogenous conditions of digestion. Additionally, the increasing amount of SHW in the reactors may lead to an accumulation of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), which are potentially toxic for anaerobic microorganisms and may inhibit the normal evolution of the fermentative process.

ANALYSIS OF CALLUS DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSIENT EXPRESSION IN TAGETES ERECTA

Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an Asteraceous plant of industrial, ornamental and medicinal importance. This plant is grown as ornamental plant and is adapted to several agro-climates. Its inflorescences have been used as a pigment source for food colouring, mainly of poultry skin and eggs. Tagetes erecta flowers accumulate high levels of carotenoids, especially lutein as the main pigment, and it makes it an attractive model to study the carotenogenic process. There are many reports on the carotenoid effect in the prevention of certain ocular diseases, ischemic heart disease, strokes, photoprotection, immune response, aging and cancer. The aim of this study was to analyze ultra-structural changes occurring during callus development to determine the conditions for the organogenesis process. Marigold calli were induced from leaf explants and they were maintained in MS medium with 2, 4-D and BA (2 mg L-1). Leaf explants were grown in MS medium with IAA and BA at different concentrations to evaluate tissue responses, such as production of explants with buds, buds per explant and bud formation capacity. Bud formation was observed using 3.0 mg L-1 IAA and 0.5 mg L-1 BA. Subcellular studies on Tagetes erecta calli indicated structures, such as cell walls, nuclei, nuclear membranes, intercellular spaces, chloroplasts, vacuoles and chromoplasts. After tissue culture and subcellular analysis, pBI426 was used to establish bombardment conditions and transient GUS gene expression was achieved with a high pressure gun technique and 70% positive events were recorded. These results will help develop stable callus transformation so that the carotenoid pathway in Tagetes erecta can be modified.

Transfer of Salmonella Enteritidis to four types of surfaces after cleaning procedures and cross-contamination to tomatoes

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the spread of Salmonella Enteritidis to different cutting boards (wood, triclosan-treated plastic, glass, and stainless steel) from contaminated poultry skin (5 log CFU/g) and then to tomatoes and to analyze the effect of different protocols used to clean these surfaces to control contamination. The following procedures were simulated: (1) no cleaning after handling contaminated poultry skin; (2) rinsing in running water; (3) cleaning with dish soap and mechanical scrubbing; and (4) cleaning with dish soap and mechanical scrubbing, followed by disinfection with hypochlorite. The pathogen was recovered from all surfaces following procedure 1, with counts ranging from 1.90 to 2.80 log, as well as from the tomatoes handled on it. Reduced numbers of S. Enteritidis were recovered using the other procedures, both from the surfaces and from the tomatoes. Counts were undetectable after procedure 4. From all surfaces evaluated, wood was the most difficult to clean, and stainless steel was the easiest. The use of hypochlorite as a disinfecting agent helped to reduce cross-contamination.

P2-270 Habit of removing visible fat from meats by adults and elderly: a population-based study in southern Brazil

IntroductionInternational and Brazilian Health Agencies point to healthy eating as an important aspect of life quality and several studies have shown that a diet rich in fat increases the risk...

Reduction of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in poultry skin by fruit extracts.

Campylobacter spp. are a major cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis in humans, and current methods to control Campylobacter contamination in foods are not completely successful. Plants are a promising source of antimicrobial agents, particularly given the growing interest in "all natural" foods. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of extracts from 28 edible plants against Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli was evaluated in vitro and in a poultry skin model. Nine of 28 extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity in a diffusion assay, and MBCs were determined for the three most active extracts, i.e., lime, plum, and sour orange peel (MBCs of 2 to 3 mg/ml). Mixtures of the lime, plum, and sour orange peel extracts were applied to chicken skin inoculated with 10(5) CFU of Campylobacter to test for synergistic or antagonist effects. After incubation (48 h at 4 degrees C) with any extract mixture, no Campylobacter CFUs were detectable. A panel of tasters determined that the mixture of lime and plum gave the best flavor to chicken wings. These active extracts from edible fruits are simple to prepare and are alternatives to reduce or eliminate Campylobacter contamination of chicken products.

Formation of biogenic amines by Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry skin

The aim of this study is to explore production of biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermine and spermidine) by 88 Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry skin (41 isolates of family Enterobacteriaceae, 21 isolates of genus Aeromonas, 16 isolates of genus Pseudomonas, and 10 isolates of other Gram-negative rods). Ion-exchange chromatography was employed to analyse the above mentioned amines. Enterobacteria were found to be the largest producers of amines with proved presence of tyramine, agmatine, putrescine, and cadaverine in cultivation broth after incubation of bacteria. Putrescine and cadaverine were the most abundant products. Presence of at least two biogenic amines, i.e. mainly concurrent presence of putrescine and cadaverine, was revealed in 19 enterobacteria strains. Eleven isolates classified into Aeromonas genus produced putrescine and five of them also formed cadaverine. The other observed biogenic amines (histamine, spermine and spermidine) were not found among tested isolates. Production of biogenic amines by any Pseudomonas family isolates was not proved.

Campylobacter transfer from naturally contaminated chicken thighs to cutting boards is inversely related to initial load.

Foods prepared in the kitchen can become cross-contaminated with Campylobacter by contacting raw products, particularly skinned poultry. We measured the percent transfer rate from naturally contaminated poultry legs purchased in supermarkets. Transfer of Campylobacter from skin (n = 43) and from meat (n = 12) to high-density polyethylene cutting board surfaces was quantitatively assessed after contact times of 1 and 10 min. The percent transfer rate was defined as the ratio between the number of Campylobacter cells counted on the cutting board surface and the initial numbers of Campylobacter naturally present on the skin (i.e., the sum of Campylobacter cells on the skin and board). Qualitative transfer occurred in 60.5% (95% confidence interval, 45.5 to 75.4) of the naturally contaminated legs studied and reached 80.6% (95% confidence interval, 63.0 to 98.2) in the subpopulation of legs that were in contact with the surface for 10 min. The percent transfer rate varied from 5 x 10(-2)% to 35.7% and was observed as being significantly different (Kruskall-Wallis test, P < 0.025) and inversely related to the initial counts on poultry skin. This study provides quantitative data describing the evolution of the proportion of Campylobacter organisms transferred from naturally contaminated poultry under kitchen conditions. We emphasize the linear relationship between the initial load of Campylobacter on the skin and the value of the percent transfer rate. This work confirms the need for modeling transfer as a function of initial load of Campylobacter on leg skin, the weight of poultry pieces, and the duration of contact between the skin and surface.

Inactivation of Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on lettuce and poultry skin by combinations of levulinic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Four organic acids (lactic acid, acetic acid, caprylic acid, and levulinic acid) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were evaluated individually or in combination for their ability to inactivate Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7. Results from pure culture assays in water with the treatment chemical revealed that 0.5% organic acid and 0.05 to 1% SDS, when used individually, reduced pathogen cell numbers by < or = 2 log CFU/ml within 20 min at 21 degrees C. The combination of any of these organic acids at 0.5% with 0.05% SDS resulted in > 7 log CFU/ml inactivation of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 within 10 s at 21 degrees C. A combination of levulinic acid and SDS was evaluated at different concentrations for pathogen reduction on lettuce at 21 degrees C, on poultry (wings and skin) at 8 degrees C, and in water containing chicken feces or feathers at 21 degrees C. Results revealed that treatment of lettuce with a combination of 3% levulinic acid plus 1% SDS for < 20 s reduced both Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 populations by > 6.7 log CFU/g on lettuce. Salmonella and aerobic bacterial populations on chicken wings were reduced by > 5 log CFU/g by treatment with 3% levulinic acid plus 2% SDS for 1 min. Treating water heavily contaminated with chicken feces with 3% levulinic acid plus 2% SDS reduced Salmonella populations by > 7 log CFU/ml within 20 s. The use of levulinic acid plus SDS as a wash solution may have practical application for killing foodborne enteric pathogens on fresh produce and uncooked poultry.

Decontamination of chicken skin surfaces inoculated with Listeria innocua, Salmonella enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni by contact with a concentrated lactic acid solution

1. The aim was to establish how poultry skin could be efficiently decontaminated without changing its organoleptic properties. 2. Chicken skins were surface inoculated with Listeria innocua and treated with different acid solutions (2 and 10% lactic acid for 1 and 30 min). Surviving bacteria were enumerated immediately after treatment and after 7 d storage at 4°C. 3. Reductions of up to 2.6 log were reached immediately after treatment. The treatment effect persisted for 7 d storage, when the reduction exceeded 4.59 log for the strongest treatment. 4. Residual levels of lactic acid were not significantly higher than in untreated controls, except for the strongest treatment. A tasting panel found no significant difference between controls and samples. 5. After the initial results, an apparently optimal treatment (5% lactic acid for 1 min) was applied on chicken skins’ surface inoculated with a mix of Listeria innocua, Salmonella enteritidis and Campylobacter jejuni. Treatment efficacy was assessed immediately after treatment and after 1, 4 and 7 d storage. 6. This treatment seems to be very promising from a food processing standpoint, being fast and allowing decimal reductions of 2.00 log for Listeria innocua and 2.38 log for Salmonella enteritidis after 7 d storage, neither significantly increasing skin lactic acid nor causing any organoleptic modifications to the product. The effect of the treatment is significant after one day storage for Listeria innocua and after 4 d storage for Salmonella enteritidis.

Fast feature selection algorithm for poultry skin tumor detection in hyperspectral data

Hyperspectral reflectance imaging data are analyzed for poultry skin tumor detection. We consider selecting only a few wavebands from hyperspectral data for potential use in a real-time multispectral camera. To do this, we improve our prior tumor detection system by employing our new adaptive branch and bound algorithm and a support vector machine classifier. Our HS analysis is useful since it provides a guideline for selection of the specific wavelengths for best tumor detection (feature selection). Experimental results demonstrate that our optimal adaptive branch and bound algorithm is significantly faster than other versions of the branch and bound algorithm. We compare the performance of our feature selection algorithm to that of a feature extraction algorithm and show that using our feature selection algorithm gives a better tumor detection rate and a lower false alarm rate.