Airborne Microorganisms in a Pork Processing Establishment

1988 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 935-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. W. KOTULA ◽  
B. S. EMSWILER-ROSE
Keyword(s):  
Baseline Data ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Airborne Microorganisms ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Meat Packaging

Airborne microorganisms were enumerated in the various processing rooms of a commercial pork slaughter and further processing plant, every other month for a year. The room where sausage emulsions were prepared had higher airborne aerobic bacteria and yeast-mold counts than the other rooms sampled. The mean log aerobic bacteria counts per 0.028 m3 across months were 1.83, 1.83, 1.82, 1.71, 1.93, 2.48, 2.08, 1.62, and 0.95 for the evisceration, offal, carcass cooler, carcass breaking, curing cellar, sausage emulsion preparation, sausage stuffing, sausage packaging, and sliced meat packaging rooms, respectively. The mean log yeast-mold counts per 0.028 m3 for the same rooms were 0.90. 0.88, 0.32, 1.06, 1.11, 1.25, 1.03, 1.01, and 0.97, respectively. Coliform counts did not exceed 5 per 0.028 m3 in any of the samplings and usually were totally absent from the sampled air except in the sausage stuffing and the offal rooms. The mean log aerobic counts per 0.028 m3 for all sampling locations combined were 1.86, 1.78, 1.78, 1.14, 1.84, and 1.93 for February, April, June, August, October, and December, respectively. The lowest count was during the August sampling, and may represent more outside air being introduced into the plant. The mean log yeast-mold counts per 0.028 m3 for the same months were 0.84, 0.53, 1.12, 0.91, 1.04, and 1.03, respectively. The mean temperatures (°C) of the processing rooms referred to above, across months, were 19.5 ± 3.3; 19.4 ± 4.1; 2.4 ± 1.4; 11.0 ± 2.5; 7.0 ± 1.2; 10.0 ± 2.1; 9.3 ± 1.8; 9.6 ± 1.1; and 10.6 ± 0.8, respectively. Different (P<0.05) temperatures within processing rooms among months were noted for the carcass cooler, curing cellar, sausage stuffing, sausage packaging, and sliced meat packaging rooms. These data provide baseline data for the airborne microorganisms in the various rooms in a pork processing establishment.

Microbiological Sampling of Carcasses by Excision or Swabbing with Three Types of Sponge or Gauze

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
BERNARDO MARTÍNEZ ◽  
M. FELICIDAD CELDA ◽  
BEGOÑA ANASTASIO ◽  
INÉS GARCÍA ◽  
M. CARMEN LÓPEZ-MENDOZA
Keyword(s):  
Production Process ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Cellulose Sponge ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
Polyurethane Sponge ◽  
The Mean

Fifty-five bovine, 50 equine, 60 ovine, and 50 porcine carcasses were sampled in a slaughterhouse in eastern Spain. Two samples were taken from each carcass, one using the excision method and the other using the swabbing method. Four different materials were used for swabbing: cellulose, polyurethane, or viscose sponges, and medical gauze. Samples were collected at the end of the process by four different people before the carcasses were taken to the cooler. The samples were examined for total viable bacteria counts (TVCs) and Enterobacteriaceae counts (ECs). The mean TVC for all species sampled by excision was 4.50 log CFU/cm2, which was significantly higher than the 3.53 log CFU/cm2 obtained by swabbing. The TVCs obtained using gauze and the cellulose and polyurethane sponges were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the corresponding TVCs obtained using viscose sponges. Animal species, the person who collected the samples, and microbiological load also had a significant effect on TVC. ECs were obtained from 82.8% of excision samples, from larger percentages of samples obtained using cellulose or polyurethane sponges or gauze swabs, but from smaller percentages of samples obtained using viscose sponges. The Enterobacteriaceae load significantly influenced the EC. In contrast, animal species and the person who collected the samples had no significant effect. The cellulose sponge, polyurethane sponge, and gauze gave high mean log counts of aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, which makes these swab types suitable for use in slaughterhouses for the purpose of assessing production process hygiene.

Microbiological Sampling of Poultry Carcass Portions by Excision, Rinsing, or Swabbing†

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2718-2720 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. O. GILL ◽  
M. BADONI ◽  
L. F. MOZA ◽  
S. BARBUT ◽  
M. W. GRIFFITHS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Broiler Chicken ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Poultry Carcass

Groups of 25 skin-on thighs or skin-on, skinned, or tumbled breast portions of broiler chicken carcasses were sampled by excision of skin or muscle tissue, rinsing, or swabbing. Counts of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Escherichia coli were recorded for each sample. For all types of carcass portions, the mean log counts and the total log counts obtained for each group of bacteria by excision or rinsing mostly differed by <0.5 log unit. However, the counts obtained by swabbing were generally >0.5 log unit lower than the smaller of the values obtained by the other two sampling methods.

Partitioning of External and Internal Bacteria Carried by Broiler Chickens before Processing†

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 2056-2062 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. CASON ◽  
A. HINTON ◽  
J. K. NORTHCUTT ◽  
R. J. BUHR ◽  
K. D. INGRAM ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
The Other ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sampling Locations ◽  
Peptone Water ◽  
Commercial Processing

Broiler chickens from the loading dock of a commercial processing plant were sampled to determine the incidence and counts of coliforms, Escherichia coli, and pathogenic bacteria. Feathers were removed by hand from ten 6-week-old chickens from each of seven different flocks and rinsed in 400 ml of 0.1% peptone water. Heads and feet were removed and rinsed, and the picked carcass was also rinsed, each in 200 ml. The ceca, colon, and crop were aseptically removed and stomached separately in 100 ml of peptone water. Campylobacter was present in six of the seven flocks. Salmonella was isolated from 50 of the 70 carcasses, with at least 2 positive carcasses in each flock, and five-tube most-probable-number (MPN) assays were performed on positive samples. Significantly (P < 0.05) more coliforms and E. coli were found in the ceca than in the feathers, which in turn carried more than the other samples, but total external and internal counts were roughly equivalent. Counts of Campylobacter were higher in the ceca and colon than in the other samples. Salmonella was isolated in external samples from 46 of the 50 positive carcasses compared with 26 positive internal samples or 17 positives in the ceca alone. The total MPN of Salmonella was approximately equivalent in all samples, indicating that contamination was distributed through all external and internal sampling locations. Salmonella-positive samples did not carry higher counts of coliforms or E. coli, and there were no significant correlations between the indicators and pathogens in any sample. Campylobacter numbers in the ceca were correlated with Campylobacter numbers in the feathers and colon, but Salmonella numbers in those samples were not correlated. The pattern of bacterial contamination before processing is complex and highly variable.

Bacterial Contamination of Broiler Chickens before Scalding

1995 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 1326-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHRYN L. KOTULA ◽  
YOGA PANDYA
Keyword(s):  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Microbial Population ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
The Mean

The bacterial load on the feathers (breast, thigh, and drum), skin (breast, thigh, and drum), and feet of a total of 40 broiler chickens from four different production units was characterized after the chickens were exsanguinated but before the carcasses were scalded. Each broiler carcass contained a mean of aerobic bacteria at or near 8log10/g, a level at which the carcasses would be considered spoiled. Escherichia coli counts ranged from 6.3 to 8.0 log10/g, with the highest presence on the feathers and breast skin and lower levels on the thigh and drum skin, and feet. Contamination of the carcasses followed a similar pattern for Salmonella spp., which ranged between 5.8 and 7.2 log10/g, and Campylobacter jejuni/coli which ranged between 6.1 and 7.5 log10/g. The incidence of potential pathogens was higher on the feathers, breast skin, and feet than on the thigh and drum skin. The incidence of E. coli ranged from 42.5 to 100%, Salmonella spp. ranged from 27.5 to 75%, and C. jejuni/coli ranged from 45 to 82.5%. The mean counts of microorganisms on broilers from the four different grow-out farms were significantly different (P > 0.05) from one another immediately after killing, although the magnitude of the differences was small in most cases. The means ranged from 7.3 to 8.0 log10/g for total colony-forming units (CFU), 6.7 to 7.6 log10/g for E. coli, 5.4 to 6.9 for Salmonella spp., and 5.7 to 7.9 for C. jejuni/coli. All birds were contaminated with E. coli, 60 to 100% with Salmonella spp., and 80 to 100% with C. jejuni/coli, depending on grow-out farm. C. jejuni/coli counts and incidences were higher than those of Salmonella spp., and usually lower than those of E. coli. This research demonstrates that broilers entering the processing plant are highly contaminated. Although processing seems to decrease the number and incidence of microorganisms on the carcasses, additional modifications in production, transportation, and processing are warranted to reduce the microbial population on the birds before they are slaughtered.

Microbiological Evaluation of Pork and Chicken By-Products in South Korea

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 715-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUNG-WHAN CHON ◽  
HAE-IN JUNG ◽  
MIN KUK ◽  
JONG-SOO LIM ◽  
KUN-HO SEO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Indicator Bacteria ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Campylobacter Species ◽  
By Products

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to evaluate the microbiological risk of pork and chicken by-products by enumerating indicator bacteria (total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and Escherichia coli) and identifying pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella. The antibiotic resistance of pathogenic isolates was determined, and molecular subtyping was performed using automated repetitive sequence–based PCR (rep-PCR). Pork and chicken by-products were collected from 10 processing plants. The mean numbers of total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli from 95 pork by-product samples and 64 chicken by-product samples were 5.1, 3.6, and 2.4 log CFU/g and 4.5, 3.0, and 1.8 log CFU/g, respectively. The numbers of indicator bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (small intestine, large intestine, and gizzard) were significantly higher than those in other organs. Salmonella and Campylobacter species were detected in 3 and 5 of 95 pork by-product samples and in 6 and 3 of 64 chicken by-product samples, respectively. Four of 9 Salmonella isolates examined were resistant to eight antibiotics, and each of these resistant strains produced an extended-spectrum β-lactamase. Most Campylobacter isolates were resistant to tetracycline (7 of 8 strains) and quinolones (7 of 8 strains). The similarity in rep-PCR patterns among Salmonella isolates was more closely associated with serotype than with the processing plant and type of meat. Conversely, the rep-PCR patterns of Campylobacter isolates were specific to the processing plant. Our findings could help agencies develop regulations for protection from foodborne bacterial infections arising from animal by-products.

Multi-Center Study of Thromboplastin Calibration Precision – Influence of Reagent Species, Composition, and International Sensitivity Index (ISI)

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (01) ◽  
pp. 035-040 ◽  
Author(s):  
A M H P van den Besselaar ◽  
R M Bertina
Keyword(s):  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
International Normalized Ratio ◽  
The Other ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rabbit Brain ◽  
Sensitivity Index ◽  
Bovine Plasma ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
International Sensitivity Index

SummaryFour thromboplastin reagents were tested by 18 laboratories in Europe, North-America, and Australasia, according to a detailed protocol. One thromboplastin was the International Reference Preparation for ox brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (coded OBT/79), and the second was a certified reference material for rabbit brain thromboplastin, plain (coded CRM 149R). The other two thromboplastin reagents were another rabbit plain brain thromboplastin (RP) with a lower ISI than CRM 149R and a rabbit brain thromboplastin combined with adsorbed bovine plasma (RC). Calibration of the latter two reagents was performed according to methods recommended by the World Health Organization (W. H. O.).The purpose of this study was to answer the following questions: 1) Is the calibration of the RC reagent more precise against the bovine/combined (OBT/79) than against the rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R)? 2) Is the precision of calibration influenced by the magnitude of the International Sensitivity Index (ISI)?The lowest inter-laboratory variation of ISI was observed in the calibration of the rabbit/plain reagent (RP) against the other rabbit/plain reagent (CRM 149R) (CV 1.6%). The highest interlaboratory variation was obtained in the calibration of rabbit/plain (RP) against bovine/combined (OBT/79) (CV 5.1%). In the calibration of the rabbit/combined (RC) reagent, there was no difference in precision between OBT/79 (CV 4.3%) and CRM 149R (CV 4.2%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the precision of the ISI of RC obtained with CRM 149R (ISI = 1.343) and the rabbit/plain (RP) reagent with ISI = 1.14. In conclusion, the calibration of RC could be performed with similar precision with either OBT/79 or CRM 149R, or RP.The mean ISI values calculated with OBT/79 and CRM 149R were practically identical, indicating that there is no bias in the ISI of these reference preparations and that these reference preparations have been stable since their original calibration studies in 1979 and 1987, respectively.International Normalized Ratio (INR) equivalents were calculated for a lyophilized control plasma derived from patients treated with oral anticoagulants. There were small but significant differences in the mean INR equivalents between the bovine and rabbit thromboplastins. There were no differences in the interlaboratory variation of the INR equivalents, when the four thromboplastins were compared.

Prothrombin Time Standardization: Report of the Expert Panel on Oral Anticoagulant Control

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 1073-1114 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Prothrombin Time ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rabbit Brain ◽  
Calibration Constant ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Point Of Intersection ◽  
And Control ◽  
Standardization Report

SummaryIn collaborative experiments in 199 laboratories, nine commercial thromboplastins, four thromboplastins held by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBS & C), London and the British Comparative Thromboplastin were tested on fresh normal and coumarin plasmas, and on three series of freeze-dried plasmas. One of these was made from coumarin plasmas and the other two were prepared from normal plasmas; in each series, one plasma was normal and the other two represented different degrees of coumarin defect.Each thromboplastin was calibrated against NIBS&C rabbit brain 70/178, from the slope of the line joining the origin to the point of intersection of the mean ratios of coumarin/normal prothrombin times when the ratios obtained with the two thromboplastins on the same fresh plasmas were plotted against each other. From previous evidence, the slopes were calculated which would have been obtained against the NIBS&C “research standard” thromboplastin 67/40, and termed the “calibration constant” of each thromboplastin. Values obtained from the freeze-dried coumarin plasmas gave generally similar results to those from fresh plasmas for all thromboplastins, whereas values from the artificial plasmas agreed with those from fresh plasmas only when similar thromboplastins were being compared.Taking into account the slopes of the calibration lines and the variation between laboratories, precision in obtaining a patient’s prothrombin time was similar for all thromboplastins.

Platelet Suruival and Function in Rats with Enhanced Thrombotic Tendency

1985 ◽  
Vol 54 (04) ◽  
pp. 739-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Delaini ◽  
Elisabetta Dejana ◽  
Ine Reyers ◽  
Elisa Vicenzi ◽  
Germana De Bellis Vitti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Nephrotic Syndrome ◽  
Platelet Function ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mean Survival Time ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Function ◽  
Thrombotic Tendency

SummaryWe have investigated the relevance of some laboratory tests of platelet function in predicting conditions of thrombotic tendency. For this purpose, we studied platelet survival, platelet aggregation in response to different stimuli, TxB2 and 6-keto-PGFlα production in serum of rats bearing a nephrotic syndrome induced by adriamycin. These animals show a heavy predisposition to the development of both arterial and venous thrombosis. The mean survival time was normal in nephrotic rats in comparison to controls. As to aggregation tests, a lower aggregating response was found in ADR-treated rats using ADP or collagen as stimulating agents. With arachidonic acid (AA) we observed similar aggregating responses at lower A A concentrations, whereas at higher AA concentrations a significantly lower response was found in nephrotic rats, despite their higher TxB2 production. Also TxB2 and 6-keto-PGFlα levels in serum of nephrotic rats were significantly higher than in controls. No consistent differences were found in PGI2-activity generated by vessels of control or nephrotic rats.These data show that platelet function may appear normal or even impaired in rats with a markedly increased thrombotic tendency. On the other hand, the significance of high TxB2 levels in connection with mechanisms leading to thrombus formation remains a controversial issue.

Voronoi Analysis of a Soccer Game

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Collective Behavior ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Random System ◽  
Soccer Game ◽  
Voronoi Polygons ◽  
The Mean

This paper describes a Voronoi analysis method to analyze a soccer game. It is important for us to know the quantitative assessment of contribution done by a player or a team in the game as an individual or collective behavior. The mean numbers of vertices are reported to be 5–6, which is a little less than those of a perfect random system. Voronoi polygons areas can be used in evaluating the dominance of a team over the other. By introducing an excess Voronoi area, we can draw some fruitful results to appraise a player or a team rather quantitatively.

Solid, slightly soluble phosphorus compounds as nutrient source in activated sludge treatment of forest industry wastewaters

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirjo-Riitta Rantala ◽  
Hannu Wirola
Keyword(s):  
Activated Sludge ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phosphorus Compounds ◽  
Forest Industry ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Nutrient Source ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Grain Sizes ◽  
Soluble Phosphorus ◽  
The Mean

The aim of the study was to determine if solid, slightly soluble compounds can be used as nutrient source in activated sludge treatment plants instead of liquid phosphoric acid. Four different solid materials were tested in lab-scale solubility tests to find compounds which are least soluble. Two materials were chosen for further studies: apatite and raw phosphate. The use of apatite and raw phosphate as nutrient source was studied in lab-scale activated sludge reactors along with a control reactor where phosphorus was added in liquid form. The phosphorus dosage, measured as elementary phosphorus, was the same for all three reactors. The reactors were fed with pre-clarified chemi-thermomechanical pulp mill (CTMP) wastewater. There were no significant differences in the reductions of organic matter between the three reactors. The mean effluent concentration of total phosphorus was 3 mg P/l in the control reactor and less than 1 mg P/1 in the other two reactors. The soluble phosphorus concentration was more than 2 mg P/l in the control reactor and less than 0.5 mg P/l in the other two. Apatite was an even better nutrient source than raw phosphate. Further lab-scale tests were conducted using two different grain sizes of apatite. No significant differences were found between the studied grain sizes (<0.074 mm and 0.074 mm-0.125 mm). Apatite was then used in full-scale at a CTMP-mill two different times. The experiments showed that the mean concentrations of phosphorus can be reduced radically by using apatite as a nutrient source instead of liquid phosphorus. Solid phosphorus compounds are a viable alternative to reduce the phosphorus load from forest industry wastewater treatment plants.

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