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Comparison of methods for recovery and enumeration of Campylobacter from freshly processed broilers
J E Line1, N J Stern, C P Lattuada
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Russell Research Center, Athens, Georgia 30677, USA. eline@saa.ars.usda.gov
Abstract:
Most traditional Campylobacter detection and enumeration procedures are difficult and time consuming. Estimations of Campylobacter populations by the most probable number (MPN) method are especially laborious. The objective of this collaborative study, performed in duplicate in Agricultural Research Service and Food Safety Inspection Service laboratories, was to compare two MPN procedures (utilizing different selective enrichment broths and plating media) to the direct plating technique for enumeration of Campylobacter from freshly processed (postchill, postdrip) broiler chicken carcasses. Results obtained from the direct plating of carcass rinse samples on Campy-cefex agar were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from an MPN procedure employing Hunt's Campylobacter selective enrichment broth followed by recovery on modified Campylobacter charcoal differential agar. However, both of these procedures provided significantly (P < 0.05) better recovery than a second MPN procedure using Rosef's selective enrichment broth followed by plating on Mueller-Hinton blood agar with antibiotics. The direct plating method offers a more simple, less expensive, more rapid alternative to traditional MPN procedures for estimating Campylobacter populations associated with freshly processed broiler carcasses.
Insights
Direct plating is a faster, simpler method for detecting Campylobacter in broiler chickens compared to traditional most probable number (MPN) methods. This technique improves efficiency in food safety testing.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Poultry Science
- Food Safety Testing
Background:
- Traditional methods for Campylobacter detection and enumeration, such as the most probable number (MPN) method, are often time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Accurate enumeration of Campylobacter in poultry is crucial for ensuring food safety and preventing outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of direct plating techniques against two different most probable number (MPN) procedures for enumerating Campylobacter in broiler chicken carcasses.
- To identify a more efficient and practical method for Campylobacter enumeration in poultry processing environments.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative study was conducted in duplicate across two laboratories.
- Broiler chicken carcass rinse samples were analyzed using direct plating on Campy-cefex agar.
- Two distinct MPN procedures, utilizing different selective enrichment broths and plating media, were employed for comparison.
Main Results:
- Direct plating on Campy-cefex agar showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in Campylobacter recovery compared to an MPN method using Hunt's selective enrichment broth.
- Both direct plating and the Hunt's MPN method yielded significantly better recovery (P < 0.05) than an MPN procedure employing Rosef's selective enrichment broth.
- Direct plating proved to be a simpler, less expensive, and more rapid alternative.
Conclusions:
- Direct plating is a viable and efficient alternative to traditional MPN methods for enumerating Campylobacter in freshly processed broiler carcasses.
- This method offers significant advantages in terms of speed, cost, and simplicity for routine food safety testing.
- Implementing direct plating can enhance the efficiency of Campylobacter monitoring in poultry production.