Evaluation of MicroTally Mitts for Detecting Foodborne Pathogens During Broiler Processing.

Comparison of neck skin excision and whole carcass rinse sampling methods for microbiological evaluation of broiler carcasses before and after immersion chilling.

Temperature and Nutrient Effects on Campylobacter jejuni Attachment on Multispecies Biofilms on Stainless Steel

Numbers ofSalmonella recovered by sponge or low volume whole carcass rinse sampling of inoculated commercial turkey carcasses

Ground beef makes up more than half of the beef consumed in the U.S. market. Although numerous studies have been conducted on microbial safety and shelf life of ground beef limited work has been done using a culture-independent approach. While past studies have allowed for the evaluation of a few organisms of interest, there is limited work on the microbial community associated with fresh ground beef. In order to have a more complete picture of the microbial ecology of the product, a culture-independent approach utilizing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used. The objectives of this study were to characterize the fresh ground beef microbiome and the effect that antimicrobial interventions and antioxidants, applied to beef trim before grinding, and product storage have on community composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Beef trimmings were treated with antimicrobials and an antioxidant. Samples were ground, loafed, and overwrapped before being packaged in modified-atmosphere packaging. Samples were in dark storage for 21 days followed by five days in retail display. Periodically during storage, samples were collected for microbiological analysis and DNA isolation. Due to low microbial biomass, only 52 of 210 samples were included in the final analysis. These samples represented two antimicrobial treatments (peroxyacetic acid, and a sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate blend) and a control, from day-15 of dark storage and day-5 of retail display. As sample age increased, so did the number of raw reads (P < 0.001) and aerobic plate counts (P < 0.001), which were correlated (r = 0.94, P = 0.017). Across all samples, lactic acid bacteria were most abundant followed by Enterobacteriaceae; several rare taxa were also identified (namely Geobacillus, Thermus, and Sporosarcina). Antimicrobial treatment altered the bacterial alpha (P < 0.001) and beta (P = 0.001) diversity, while storage day altered alpha (P = 0.001) diversity. Enterobacteriaceae relative abundance differed (P < 0.05) among treatments and was highest in control samples. In addition to confirming previously described dominant microbial differences in culture-dependent results, these data identified genera not typically associated with ground beef and allowed for study of shifts in the entire microbiome and not just a subset of indicator organisms.

Effectiveness of Sampling Methods for Salmonella Detection on Processed Broilers

A survey was performed to estimate the frequency of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 or O157:nonmotile (EHEC O157) in feces and on hides within groups of fed cattle from single sources (lots) presented for slaughter at meat processing plants in the Midwestern United States, as well as frequency of carcass contamination during processing from cattle within the same lots. Of 29 lots sampled, 72% had at least one EHEC O157-positive fecal sample and 38% had positive hide samples. Overall, EHEC O157 prevalence in feces and on hides was 28% (91 of 327) and 11% (38 of 355), respectively. Carcass samples were taken at three points during processing: preevisceration, postevisceration before antimicrobial intervention, and postprocessing after carcasses entered the cooler. Of 30 lots sampled, 87% had at least one EHEC O157-positive preevisceration sample, 57% of lots were positive postevisceration, and 17% had positive postprocessing samples. Prevalence of EHEC O157 in the three postprocessing samples was 43% (148 of 341), 18% (59 of 332) and 2% (6 of 330), respectively. Reduction in carcass prevalence from preevisceration to postprocessing suggests that sanitary procedures were effective within the processing plants. Fecal and hide prevalence were significantly correlated with carcass contamination (P = 0.001), indicating a role for control of EHEC O157 in live cattle.

Efficacy of Antimicrobial Interventions Used in Meat Processing Plants against Antimicrobial Tolerant Non–Antibiotic-Resistant and Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella on Fresh Beef

Evaluation of Salmonella Biofilm Cell Transfer from Common Food Contact Surfaces to Beef Products

Efficacy of an Herbal Extract on the Microbiological Quality of Broiler Carcasses During a Simulated Chill

Salmonella enterica is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide. We used long and short-read sequencing to close genomes of eight multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. enterica strains, belonging to serovars Infantis (2), Albany, Oranienburg, I 4,[5],12:i:-, Javiana, Schwarzengrund, and Kentucky from broiler chicken farms and processing plants in Trinidad and Tobago. They also belonged to seven different sequence types (STs- 32, 292, 1510, 19, 24, 152, and 96). Among the strains, seven had demonstrated multi-drug resistance with the presence of at least three AMR genes, whereas three isolates contained the quinolone resistance gene qnrB19 in plasmids (CFSAN103840, CFSAN103854, and CFSAN103872). The extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes blaCTX−M−65 (CFSAN103796) and blaTEM−1 (CFSAN103852) were detected in this study. The genomes closed in this study will be useful for future source tracking and outbreak investigations in Trinidad and Tobago and worldwide.

Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrotrophic Gram positive organism that is considered one of the more critical foodborne pathogens of public health concern. To prevent illness the USDA and FDA enforce a zero-tolerance policy for Listeria on ready-to-eat foods such as delicatessen meats and poultry. Regardless, L. monocytogenes can still be isolated from food production facilities and retail products, indicating that current sanitation methods are not always sufficient. Both conventional and alternative poultry production and processing systems have also been identified as potential sources of Listeria spp. Concerns associated with alternative poultry production and processing can be further exacerbated by limitations on sanitation and available antimicrobials for usage in organic and natural poultry products. Furthermore, mobile poultry processing units often process organic and small-scale poultry farms that are not able to be processed by conventional standing facilities. These alternative production facilities and their products are often exempt from federal inspection, due to processing a relatively low number of carcasses. Due to these exemptions, it is unknown if sufficient sanitation is applied in these alternative processing facilities to prevent L. monocytogenes contamination. Organic processing restrictions may also impact which sanitizers and antimicrobials can be utilized. This review describes variations between conventional and mobile poultry processing units in conjunction with how L. monocytogenes may persist in the processing environment and on retail products. This review will also examine alternative antimicrobials proven to be effective against Listeria spp. and potentially be acceptable for use in alternative poultry production systems.

Poultry bio-mapping helps identify microbial contamination and process optimization opportunities such as sanitary dressing procedures, equipment adjustments, cross-contamination controls, and chemical intervention applications in commercial poultry processing operations. This study focuses on the development of a preliminary microbiological baseline of microbial indicators, including total viable counts (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), and the quantification and detection of pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. in four commercial broiler processing facilities in Honduras. Whole chicken and wing rinses were collected from four poultry processing plants at different locations: live receiving, rehanger, post-evisceration, post-chiller, and wings. The MicroSnap® system was used for the enumeration of microbial indicators, the BAX®-System-SalQuant® was used for the quantification of Salmonella, and the BAX®-System-CampyQuant™ was used for Campylobacter spp. Negative samples after enumeration were tested with BAX®-System Salmonella and BAX®-System Campylobacter for prevalence analysis, respectively. The TVC and EB counts were continuously reduced from the live receiving to the post-chiller location, presenting a statistically significant increase (p &lt; 0.01) at the wings location. The Salmonella counts were significantly different between stages (p &lt; 0.01). The prevalence of Salmonella was highest in the live receiving stage, with 92.50%, while that at the post-chiller stage was the lowest, at 15.38%. Campylobacter spp. counts were lower than that at the other stages at wings 1.61 Log CFU/sample; however, Campylobacter spp.’s prevalence was higher than 62.5% in all stages. Microbial bio-mapping using novel technologies suitable for mobile applications was conducted in this study to establish statistical process control parameters for microorganisms. A nationwide microbial baseline for commercial broiler processing facilities in Honduras was developed. In-country data serve as a benchmark for continuous improvement at each facility evaluated and can assist regulatory officers in the development of risk-based performance standards aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to consumers.

Campylobacteriosis is the leading food-borne disease in developed countries, and poultry are a major source for human infection. The diversity of Campylobacter on chicken carcasses during processing may lead to isolates that are able to survive abattoir processing. This has important implications for public health and adds a further layer to the complexity of the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis. The diversity of the Campylobacter spp. populations on broiler carcasses was studied at three different stages of processing (post-bleed, post-scald and post-chill) in three UK processing plants, using the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) KpnI enzyme. One hundred and sixty Campylobacter strains from 3 processing plants were identified as C.jejuni (92.3%) with 27 PFGE subtype profiles recovered from carcasses at the post-bleed point. Change in populations was identified when carcasses move towards the end of poultry processing. Seven C.jejuni genotypes were able to survive the scalding tank stage process, and 5 genotypes surviving the entire poultry process. Confirmation by PFGE gives information on the genotypic profiles of C.jejuni on chicken carcasses and how they change according to the temperatures exposed to during processing. Diversity within C.jejuni populations produces genotypes that adapt to tolerate the processing environment, and these may be capable of causing human disease. Understanding more about the genotypes that survive the processing will have important implications for public health.

The objective of the present study was to determine contamination rates, concentration and genotypes of Campylobacter on broiler carcasses during slaughtering processes. A total of 320 samples including cloacal swabs (n=40), carcass rinses during slaughtering process (n=200) and ceca (n=80) from 8 Campylobacter positive broiler farms were collected from 3 slaughterhouses during June 2012 to April 2013. Carcass rinses were taken after scalding, defeathering, evisceration, inside-outside (I/O) washing and chilling steps. To determine Campylobacter contamination rates, direct plating method and selective enrichment method were performed, while the concentration of Campylobacter on chicken carcasses was detected by direct plating method. In addition, genotyping of Campylobacter isolates was carried out by flaA-short variable region (flaA-SVR) sequencing. The occurrence of Campylobacter in carcass rinse, cecum and cloacal swab was 74.5%, 73.6% and 62.5%, respectively. Our finding revealed high Campylobacter contamination rates after defeathering (85%) and evisceration (82.5%) which was higher than after scalding (50%). The contamination rate remained high after I/O washing (80%) and chilling (75%). The mean concentration of Campylobacter on carcasses after scalding was 1.88 log CFU/ml. Campylobacter concentration significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) after defeathering (2.76 log CFU/ml) and evisceration (3.26 log CFU/ml). Mean concentration was highest after I/O washing (3.42 log CFU/ml) and significantly declined to 2.04 log CFU/ml after chilling (p&lt;0.05). Reduction in the concentration of Campylobacter on post-chill carcasses was found in all slaughterhouses; with or without the use of chlorine during chilling step. FlaA-SVR types obtained during slaughtering process were different among broiler flocks. The most common allele types identified among Campylobacter isolates in this study were flaA-SVR allele 208, 287, 769 and 783. FlaA-SVR types recovered from carcass rinse during slaughter were mostly related to allele types present in cecum and cloacal swab. Since defeathering was considered as a crucial step, aside from evisceration, for Campylobacter contamination on chicken carcasses during slaughter, the implementation of measures to reduce Campylobacter contamination during defeathering is necessary for controlling Campylobacter contamination at the slaughter level. Additionally, if chickens enter slaughterhouse with high loads of Campylobacter, it will be almost impossible to get rid of this foodborne pathogen from fully processed carcasses. Therefore, intervention strategies to prevent the introduction of Campylobacter into broiler farms are required and should be urgently investigated.

Bioactive peptides (BAPs) obtained from plants and microbes have been thoroughly explored and studied due to their prophylactic properties. The use of BAPs seems to be a promising substitute for several currently available antibiotics because of their antimicrobial properties against foodborne pathogens. BAPs have several other useful properties including antitumor, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities. Nowadays, scientists have attempted to recombinantly synthesize bioactive peptides to study their characteristics and potential uses, since BAPs are not found in large quantities in nature. Many pathogenic microorganisms including foodborne pathogens are becoming resistant to various antibiotics. To combat these pathogens, scientists are working to find novel, innovative, and safe antimicrobial agents. Plant- and microbe-based BAPs have demonstrated noteworthy antimicrobial activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms, including foodborne pathogens. BAPs can kill pathogenic microorganisms by disrupting membrane integrity, inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis, preventing protein synthesis, blocking protein activity, or interacting with certain intracellular targets. In addition, the positive effect of BAP consumption extends to gut microbiota modulation and affects the equilibrium of reactive oxygen species in the gut. This article discusses recombinant BAPs, BAPs generated from plants and microbes, and their antimicrobial applications and modes of action for controlling foodborne pathogens.