Research Note: Subzero saline chilling improved chilling efficiency and bacterial reduction of turkey carcasses

The poultry industry has attempted to improve carcass chilling efficiency, meat quality, and product safety. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of subzero saline chilling on carcass chilling time and microbial safety. Eviscerated tom turkeys were randomly picked from a local turkey processing plant and subjected to chilling in one of the 3 chilling solutions: 1) 0% NaCl/0.5°C (ice slurry control), 2) 4% NaCl/-2.41°C, and 3) 8% NaCl/-5.08°C. The turkey carcasses in subzero saline solutions were chilled more efficiently and reduced the chilling time over the carcasses in ice slurry solution. No significant difference was observed for carcass chilling yield and fillet cooking yield regardless of chilling method (P > 0.05). The number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and total coliform cells were significantly reduced in the carcasses chilled in subzero saline solutions over the icy control, except MAB in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C (P < 0.05). Based on these results, the chilling of turkey carcass in subzero saline solution appears to improve carcass chilling efficiency and bacterial reduction, especially Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli and total coliforms.