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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Quasi-metagenomic Analysis of Salmonella from Food and Environmental Samples
Published on: October 25, 2018
Efficiency of Salmonella isolation from meat-and-bone meal of one 300-g sample versus ten 30-g samples
Abstract:
Twenty-five meat-and-bone meal samples were analyzed for salmonellae, comparing a single 300-g to ten 30-g samples. Seventeen were positive using the larger sample; eighteen were positive with the smaller. The 300-g sample showed a significantly higher (P < 0.01) percentage of confirmed salmonellae at 2 days of incubation than at 1 day. The ten 30-g samples did not show changes at 2 days. At 2 days, the 30-g samples showed significantly fewer confirmed salmonellae than the 300-g sample; however, there was no difference at 1 day. Of 1,417 presumptive colonies picked, 1,215 (85.7%) were lysine decarboxylase-positive and 1,152 (81.3%) were agglutinated by one of the somatic antisera. There were no significant differences in diversity or total numbers of different somatic groups between the large and small samples.
Insights
Analyzing meat-and-bone meal for salmonellae, a single 300-g sample detected more positive results than ten 30-g samples. The larger sample size is more effective for accurate salmonellae detection in feed safety.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Animal Feed Safety
Background:
- Salmonellae contamination in meat-and-bone meal poses a significant risk to animal and human health.
- Accurate detection methods are crucial for ensuring feed safety and preventing disease transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of a single large sample versus multiple small samples for salmonellae detection in meat-and-bone meal.
- To evaluate the impact of sample size on the sensitivity and reliability of salmonellae testing.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five meat-and-bone meal samples were analyzed for salmonellae.
- Comparison between a single 300-g sample and ten 30-g samples.
- Incubation time and biochemical/serological confirmation of presumptive colonies were assessed.
Main Results:
- A single 300-g sample yielded a significantly higher percentage of confirmed salmonellae at 2 days compared to 1 day.
- Ten 30-g samples did not show significant changes in detection rates between 1 and 2 days.
- At 2 days, the 30-g samples detected significantly fewer confirmed salmonellae than the 300-g sample, though no difference was observed at 1 day.
Conclusions:
- A single, larger sample size (300-g) is more effective for detecting salmonellae in meat-and-bone meal than multiple smaller samples (30-g).
- The incubation period influences salmonellae detection rates, with 2 days showing higher confirmation than 1 day for the larger sample size.
- This study highlights the importance of optimizing sample size for sensitive and reliable pathogen detection in feed analysis.
