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Distribution and prevalence of airborne microorganisms in three commercial poultry processing plants
P Whyte1, J D Collins, K McGill
1Department of Large Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Ireland. Paul.Whyte@ucd.ie
Abstract:
Airborne microbial contaminants and indicator organisms were monitored within three poultry processing plants (plants A, B, and C). In total, 15 cubic feet (c.f.) of air was sampled per location during 15 visits to each plant and quantitatively analyzed for total mesophilic and psychrophilic aerobic counts, thermophilic campylobacters, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacteriaceae. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in air samples was also evaluated. Significant reductions in total aerobic counts were observed between defeathering and evisceration areas of the three plants (P < 0.05). Mesophilic plate counts were highest in the defeathering areas of all plants compared to equivalent psychrophilic plate counts. Enterobacteriaceae counts were highest in the defeathering areas of all three plants with counts of log10 1.63, 1.53, and 1.18 CFU/15 c.f. recovered in plants A, B, and C, respectively. E. coli enumerated from air samples in the defeathering areas exhibited a similar trend to those obtained for Enterobacteriaceae with log10 1.67, 1.58, and 1.18 CFU for plants A, B, and C, respectively. Thermophilic campylobacters were most frequently isolated from samples in the defeathering areas followed by the evisceration areas. The highest mean counts of the organism were observed in plant A at 21 CFU/15 c.f. sample with plants B and C at 9 and 8 CFU/sample, respectively. With the exception of low levels of Enterobacteriaceae recovered from samples in the on-line air chill in plant A, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, or Campylobacter spp. were not isolated from samples in postevisceration sites in any of the plants examined. Salmonella spp. were not recovered from any samples during the course of the investigation.
Insights
Airborne microbial monitoring in poultry plants found high levels of bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli in defeathering areas. Reductions were noted by evisceration, with no Salmonella detected.
Area of Science:
- Food Safety
- Microbiology
- Poultry Processing
Background:
- Airborne microbial contamination is a concern in food processing environments.
- Understanding microbial load in poultry plants is crucial for food safety protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess airborne microbial contaminants and indicator organisms in poultry processing plants.
- To evaluate the prevalence of specific bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, in different plant areas.
Main Methods:
- Air samples (15 cubic feet) were collected from three poultry plants over 15 visits.
- Samples were analyzed for total aerobic counts, thermophilic campylobacters, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Salmonella spp.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in total aerobic counts were observed between defeathering and evisceration areas (P < 0.05).
- Highest counts for Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli were found in defeathering areas.
- Thermophilic campylobacters were most frequent in defeathering and evisceration areas; Salmonella was not detected.
Conclusions:
- Poultry plant defeathering areas harbor higher levels of airborne microbial contaminants.
- Microbial load significantly decreases post-evisceration, indicating effective process controls.
- Absence of Salmonella suggests effective pathogen control measures in the studied plants.
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