Study of the Microbial Ecology of Wild and Aquacultured Tunisian Fresh Fish

2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1762-1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOUNA BOULARES ◽  
LOBNA MEJRI ◽  
MNASSER HASSOUNA

Eighty samples of fresh fish were collected in Tunisia and analyzed for microbial load. Quality and hygienic safety of the meat and intestines of wild and aquacultured fresh fish were determined. The mesophilic aerobic plate count and populations of psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and other psychrotrophic bacteria ranged from 5.67 to 7.29, 4.51 to 6, and 5.07 to 6.21 log CFU/g, respectively. For all microbiological determinations, bacterial counts were lower in meat than in the intestines of fresh fish. For all samples lower microbial populations were found in most of the wild fish than in the aquacultured fish. No isolates of the pathogenic genera Salmonella and Listeria were detected in any sample. Among the 160 strains of biopreservative psychrotrophic LAB and the 150 strains of spoilage psychrotrophic gram-negative bacteria identified by biochemical and molecular methods, Lactobacillus (six species) and Pseudomonas (six species) predominated. Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium (C. piscicola and C. divergens), Aeromonas, and Photobacterium were the most common genera, and Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Aeromonas hydrophila were the most common species. These findings indicate that the microbiological quality of fresh fish in Tunisia can be preserved by controlling pathogenic and psychrotrophic bacteria.

1980 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. JANE WYATT ◽  
V. GUY

A sanitation profile scoring form for evaluating sanitation in retail food stores was designed. The profile was tested in 10 Oregon retail markets to evaluate its ability to reflect sanitary conditions. At the time of inspection, samples of meat processed in-store were purchased for microbiological analysis to explore the feasibility of bacterial quality as a measurement of sanitary conditions. Microbiological tests performed included total aerobic plate count (A PC), coliform, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Salmonella. Certain deficiencies were noted in the profile designed; however, it provides a means for objective, uniform measurement of sanitary conditions. Data show no correlation exists between microbiological quality of products processed in the store and total store profile sanitary conditions. Fifty percent of the products sampled exceeded bacterial load guidelines currently enforced in Oregon. These “high” counts appear to be directly related to poor temperature control.


1984 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 876-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. O. SNYDER ◽  
M. E. MATTHEWS

Microbiological quality of menu items prepared by cook/chill, cook/freeze, cook/hot-hold and heat/serve methods for producing and storing menu items in foodservice systems is reviewed. Of the 40 studies, 21 focused on the cook/chill method and two on the heat/serve. Nine studies on the microbiological quality of delicatessen and fast food were also reviewed. Microbiological evaluation included total plate count, mesophilic aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic aerobic plate count, streptococcal count, staphylococcal count, clostridial count, coliforms, fecal coliforms, yeast and mold, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium sporogenes, Streptococcus faecium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus spp., coagulase-positive staphylococci, fecal streptococci and Salmonella. In 29 of the studies, heat was applied to menu items at one or more process steps - initial heating, hot-holding and/or final heating. Initial heating temperatures for entrees ranged from 45 to 90°C, while final heating temperatures ranged from 23 to 98°C. Times ranged from 15 to 90 min for initial heating and 0.33 to 35 min for final heating. Continued research is needed to provide data on effects of time and temperature on the microbiological quality of menu items. Such data will provide foodservice practitioners with adequate assurance that chosen thermal processing methods destroy microorganisms of public health significance.


2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1113-1117 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID PHILLIPS ◽  
DAVID JORDAN ◽  
STEPHEN MORRIS ◽  
IAN JENSON ◽  
JOHN SUMNER

The third national baseline microbiological survey of Australian beef carcasses and frozen boneless beef was conducted in 2004. Carcasses (n = 1,155) sampled at 27 slaughter establishments had a mean aerobic plate count (at 25°C) of 1.3 log CFU/cm2. Escherichia coli was isolated from 8.0% of the carcasses, with a mean count of −0.8 log CFU/cm2 for positive samples. On samples from 24 boning (fabrication) plants (n = 1,082), the mean aerobic plate count for frozen boneless beef was 1.3 log CFU/g, and the mean count for the 1.8% of samples with detectable E. coli was 1.5 log CFU/g. E. coli O157: H7 was isolated from 1 of 1,143 carcasses and from 0 of 1,082 boneless samples. Salmonella was isolated from 0 of 1,155 carcasses and from 1 of 1,082 samples of boneless product. No Campylobacter spp. were isolated from carcasses or boneless beef. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from 28.7% of beef carcasses and 20.3% of boneless beef samples, and positive samples had a mean count of 0.3 log CFU/cm2 and 0.8 log CFU/g, respectively.


1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 300-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES F. FOSTER ◽  
JAMES L. FOWLER ◽  
JOHN DACEY

The microbiological quality of four frozen and seven fresh seafood products (597 units in total) obtained from a local retail store were analyzed. Aerobic plate count means (geometric) ranged from 3.5 × 103/g to 9.3 × 104/g for the frozen products and from 7.8 × 104/g to 2.7 × 108/g for fresh products. Average (geometric) coliform Most Probable Number (MPN) values ranged from 1.0 to 7. 7/g for the frozen items and from 7.8/g to 4.8 × 103/g for the fresh seafoods. Employing the MPN method, 4.7% of the 597 units analyzed were positive for Escherichia coli. while 7.9% were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Two percent of the samples contained Clostridium perfringens. Neither salmonellae nor Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated in any of the 597 units.


1970 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
M Abdul Basar ◽  
Sabita Rezwana Rahman

The present study was performed to evaluate the microbiological quality of industrially processed packed juices such as mango, orange and lemon of five different local companies. Aerobic plate count (APC) in juice samples was nil when measured before and after neutralization of pH. However, after enrichment of couple of samples growth of bacteria was observed on nutrient agar and MacConkey agar media. Sample A showed 120 cfu/ml after 3 h on nutrient agar and 20 cfu/ml after 5 h on MacConkey agar medium. These findings indicate that manufacturers might use high amount of preservatives that had bacteriostatic effect on microbes. It can be suggested that processed juices should be prepared under hygienic condition without use of high amount of preservatives that might cause health hazard.Keywords: Fruit juice, Bacterial count, Preservatives, EnrichmentDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v24i2.1267


1981 ◽  
Vol 44 (11) ◽  
pp. 821-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. TIWARI ◽  
V. W. KADIS

A total of 124 delicatessen meat products were analysed for microbiological quality shortly after purchase and following storage at 22 C for 24 h. Sixty-seven of these products were portion packages and 57 were cuts from bulk products. Coliforms, coagulase-positive staphylococci and Clostridium perfringens contamination was low. Salmonella was not detected in any of the samples. Initially, 34.3% of the portion-packed and 24.5% of bulk cuts contained more than 107 total aerobic plate count per g and, following storage this proportion increased to 62.7% and 57.9%, respectively. Eight samples (11.9%) of portion-packed and seven samples (12.3%) of bulk cuts contained more than 107 psychrotrophs per g initially. After storage, 35% of both types of products yielded >107 psychrotrophs per g. Significant levels of fecal streptococci and yeasts were also isolated from many of these products, indicating need for improvement in manufacturing procedures and retail storage conditions. However, the results of this investigation indicated that chances of a public health hazard from delicatessen meat products would be low.


1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 1478-1481 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHEW-LING YU ◽  
DECLAN BOLTON ◽  
CHERYL LAUBACH ◽  
PATRICIA KLINE ◽  
ALAN OSER ◽  
...  

To develop a hazard analysis and critical control point plan for food processing operations, critical control points must be determined. Swine slaughtering and dressing operations were investigated to establish their critical control points. We monitored the microbiology of swine carcasses by surface swabbing carcass bellies at various steps during the process and by quantitating total aerobic plate count (APC) and coliforms. Starting with a dehaired carcass, the sequential steps monitored included presingeing, postsingeing, polishing, and chilling. Initial results indicate that singeing and chilling substantially reduced the levels of APC and coliforms, whereas polishing increased their levels. The hygienic characteristics of individual operations involved in dressing swine carcasses were then evaluated in the second experiment. A set of 40 randomly selected carcasses leaving singeer, polisher, shaver, and washer were sampled. Carcasses were heavily contaminated during the final polishing procedure, and the APC increased threefold compared with prepolishing levels. Washing reduced the bacterial numbers by 69%. To reduce the microbial load on swine carcasses, final polishing and manual shaving steps were not used during the dressing operation on a set of 90 carcasses. APCs on singed carcasses were reduced from 1.34 to −0.15 log10 CFU/cm2 when the final polisher and manual shavers were not used. However, carcasses were subsequently recontaminated with bacteria after evisceration, and the APCs were similar (P > 0.05) regardless of whether the final polishing and manual shaving steps were used, averaging 1.30 and 1.46 log10 CFU/cm2. These results indicated that individual operations can be identified as critical control points, appropriate limits can be set and monitored in a hazard analysis and critical control point system, and steps where further changes to reduce bacterial levels may be needed for swine slaughtering plants.


1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 902-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
DARRELL L. BIGALKE

Milking equipment on four farms each in the St. Paul. Minnesota area and the Ithaca, New York area was cleaned at wash solution starting temperatures of 120, 130, 140, 150, and 160 F. The effect of wash solution temperature on raw milk microbiological quality was determined by the Standard Plate Count (SPC), Psychrotrophic Bacteria Count (PBC). Coliform Count (CC) and Laboratory Pasteurized Count (LPC). Cleanliness of the farm milking equipment was determined by microbiological counts (SPC, PBC, CC) of circulated sterile water, visual examination and determination of residual calcium on the equipment. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that Klenzade farm detergents and Agway farm detergents can be used at temperatures such that the final wash solution temperature does not drop below 105 F and have no significant effect on cleaning performance, microbiological quality of raw milk or microbiological status of the milking equipment.


2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
GORDON NICHOLS ◽  
IAIN GILLESPIE ◽  
JOHN de LOUVOIS

A survey of 4,346 samples of ice from retail and catering premises examined 3,528 samples (81%) used to cool drinks and 144 samples (3%) from food displays. For 674 samples (15%), the origin was not recorded. Most samples of ice used to cool drinks or ready-to-eat food on displays did not contain coliforms, Escherichia coli, or enterococci. Of the ice used to cool drinks, 9% contained coliforms, 1% E. coli, and 1% enterococci in excess of 102 CFU/100 ml, and 11% had an aerobic plate count at 37°C in excess of 103 CFU/ml. The microbiological quality of ice used to cool drinks was poorer when melt water was present in the ice buckets. Ice used in food displays was more contaminated than ice used to cool drinks, with 23% containing coliforms, 5% E. coli, and 8% enterococci at 102 CFU/100 ml or more. Twenty-nine percent of samples had an aerobic plate count greater than 103 CFU/ml. Ice that had been used to cool shellfish was of a lower microbiological quality than samples used to cool ready-to-eat fish, salads, or dairy produce. Samples of ice produced in commercial production facilities were of higher microbiological quality than samples of ice that were not. The microbiological quality of ice was dependent on the type of use, the type of premises, and the type and place of production. Although most ice samples were of acceptable microbiological quality, evidence from this study suggests that the microbiological quality of ice prepared and used at certain premises in the UK is a cause for concern.


1985 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. WENTZ ◽  
A. P. DURAN ◽  
A. SWARTZENTRUBER ◽  
A. H. SCHWAB ◽  
F. D. McCLURE ◽  
...  

Duplicate samples of crab and crabmeat (body meat and claw meat) were collected four times a day for two consecutive days at seven in-line locations (plus finished product claw and body meat) along the processing lines of 47 crabmeat plants located along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. All the plants adhered to Good Manufacturing Practice, as determined by visual inspection. Two sanitation inspections and sample collections were conducted at 5-month intervals to reflect seasonal variation. In all, 8,477 in-line samples and 2,459 finished product units of blue crab and crabmeat and 522 in-line samples and 128 finished product units of red crab and Maine crab and crabmeat were analyzed microbiologically. Geometric mean aerobic plate count at 35°C (APC 35) values increased from 1,200 CFU/g before pick to 20,000 CFU/g in the finished product (body meat). For claw meat, APC 35 values increased from 15,000 CFU/g before pick to 24,000 CFU/g in the finished product. Aerobic plate count at 30°C (APC 30) values were consistently higher (2-fold or less) than APC 35 values. Coliform counts in both finished products were ≥19/g in approximately 60% of the units. Coliforms exceeded 500/g in 3.8 and 3.2% of the finished product units for body meat and claw meat, respectively. Geometric mean Escherichia coli counts were <3 for all sample sites and finished products, with only 3.3 and 2.7% of the units showing detectable E. coli for body meat and claw meat, respectively. Geometric mean values for Staphylococcus aureus were 16.8/g for finished body meat and 16.0/g for finished claw meat; approximately 20% of the units of both finished products had S. aureus values >100/g. S. aureus counts increased significantly after picking.


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