Microbiological and shelf life assessment of chilled eviscerated whole chicken broilers in Saudi Arabia

1. The microbiological quality and shelf life of chicken carcasses marketed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were assessed. 2. The mean initial microbial counts (log10 count/cm2) were 4.67, 4.14, 2.21, 2.78 and 2.96 for total aerobes, psychrotrophs, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and yeasts and moulds, respectively; these counts suggest a moderate level of contamination during processing. 3. Yeasts and moulds were present in relatively large numbers and constituted a considerable portion of the spoilage flora. 4. The mean shelf life of chicken broilers was 9.6, 6 and 4.4 d at 4, 7 and 10 degrees C, respectively. Storage at 4 degrees C resulted in better keeping than storage at 7 degrees C or 10 degrees C, while there was no significant difference between 7 degrees and 10 degrees C. 5. The initial total of aerobes, psychrotrophs and yeasts and moulds were found to negatively correlate with shelf life.