[Microbiological quality of mechanically deboned beef]

Microbial quality of mechanically deboned beef (MDB), which was obtained by the discontinuous hydraulic horizontal separator, type Inject-Star (firm LASKA, Austria), was analyzed for the presence of indicatory microorganisms (coliforms and enterococci), pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms. The basic microbial parameters have been determined separately for MDB of 1st, 2nd degrees as well as for average daily samples from one collecting vessel. Apart from it, also a raw material (beef from flesh bones intended for separation) and salt MDB after 24 hrs storing in chiller before working it into meat products were examined by the same way. From our results it follows that the number of all microorganisms observed in MDB of 1st degree was lower than that of 2nd degree. During the separation process the increase of microbial parameters compared with those in initial raw material occurred by 1-2 radices and following subsequent salting and storing in chiller there was a repeated decrease by 1 radix (with exception of the number of Staphylococci remaining unchanged). The change in the amount of microflora present was also influenced by season--in summer there was an increase by about 1 radix. From the view point of food hygiene the finding of salmonellas and the presence of large number of Staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus on average 10(5).g-1 as well as the presence of wide extent of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms from the family of Enterobacteriaceae, especially from genera Proteus, Providencia, Morganella and Citrobacter are of great importance.