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Chronic Salmonella Infected Mouse Model
Published on: May 31, 2010
Viability of Salmonella in bone meal
1Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Abstract:
The ability of Salmonella to survive varying concentrations of sodium metabisulphite incorporated into bone meal (rendered animal by-product) was investigated. No viable Salmonella was detected after 4 days of exposure of the micro-organisms to 5,000 ppm of sodium metabisulphite. The minimum killing concentration of metabisulphite was also established at 4,000 ppm. However, the killing effect of the metabisulphite was moisture-dependent, being most potent at a moisture level of 8 to 12%.
Insights
Sodium metabisulphite effectively eliminates Salmonella in bone meal. A concentration of 5,000 ppm eradicated Salmonella within 4 days, with 4,000 ppm being the minimum killing concentration. Its efficacy is enhanced by moisture levels between 8-12%.
Area of Science:
- Food safety
- Microbiology
- Animal by-product processing
Background:
- Salmonella contamination poses a significant risk in animal by-products like bone meal.
- Effective decontamination methods are crucial for ensuring the safety of rendered animal products.
- Sodium metabisulphite is a common preservative with antimicrobial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the efficacy of sodium metabisulphite in eliminating Salmonella in bone meal.
- To establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sodium metabisulphite against Salmonella in this matrix.
- To investigate the influence of moisture content on the antimicrobial activity of sodium metabisulphite.
Main Methods:
- Bone meal samples were inoculated with Salmonella.
- Samples were treated with varying concentrations of sodium metabisulphite (ppm).
- Viable Salmonella counts were assessed over a 4-day period at different moisture levels (8-12%).
Main Results:
- No viable Salmonella were detected after 4 days of exposure to 5,000 ppm sodium metabisulphite.
- The minimum killing concentration of sodium metabisulphite was determined to be 4,000 ppm.
- The antimicrobial effect was significantly enhanced at moisture levels of 8% to 12%.
Conclusions:
- Sodium metabisulphite is a potent agent for controlling Salmonella in bone meal.
- Optimal efficacy is achieved at concentrations of 4,000-5,000 ppm and moisture content of 8-12%.
- This finding supports the use of sodium metabisulphite as a decontamination strategy in rendered animal by-product processing.

