Effect of Boiling Water Carcass Immersion on Aerobic Bacteria Counts of Poultry Skin and Processed Ground Poultry Meat

Effects of hot water spray and sub-zero saline chilling on bacterial decontamination of broiler carcasses

Reduction of Salmonella on poultry carcasses is one way to prevent salmonellosis. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of subzero saline chilling (SSC) with/without hot water spray (HWS) on broiler carcasses prior to chilling for bacterial reduction. Eviscerated broiler carcasses were subjected to water immersion chilling (WIC, 0% NaCl/0.5°C) or SSC (4% NaCl/-2.41°C) with/without prior HWS at 71°C for 1 min. Broiler carcasses in SSC were chilled faster than those in WIC, regardless of HWS. The combination of HWS and SSC resulted in the best reduction of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and total coliforms on the carcasses over the WIC, SSC, and HWS/WIC. No Salmonella was detected on the carcasses in SSC and HWS/SSC while Salmonella positive was observed on the carcasses chilled in WIC and HWS/WIC. A trace of Gram-negative genus was detected on carcasses in HWS/SSC while many other microbiomes were observed on those in WIC, SSC, and HWS/WIC when quantitative microbiota profiles of 16S rRNA gene sequences were evaluated. Based on these results, chilling of broiler carcasses in 4% NaCl/-2.41°C after HWS at 71°C for 1 min significantly reduced carcass chilling time and bacterial contamination over the control chilling.

Effects of combined heat and acetic acid on natural microflora reduction on cantaloupe melons

Produce is an important source of nutrients and phytochemicals, which is important in a healthy diet. However, perishable fresh produce has caused recent outbreaks of foodborne diseases. High level of nutrients and water activity, direct contact with soil, and lack of thermal procedures during primary processing make fresh produce a potential food safety hazard. Fruits and vegetables with rough surfaces can harbor microorganisms and support their multiplication, increasing the risk of this hazard. This study evaluated the effects of extreme thermal processes combined with acetic acid on natural microflora reduction on cantaloupe melons. Melons from a local supermarket were assigned into five treatment groups: control, water at 25 degrees C, water at 95 degrees C, 5% acetic acid at 25 degrees C, and 5% acetic acid at 95 degrees C. Four skin samples were obtained from each melon, separately stomached for 2 min with 0.1% peptone water, and serially diluted. Aerobic plate counts (APC) of dilutions were determined. Statistical analysis (least significant difference-based analysis of variance) showed that there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in APC among control, water at 25 degrees C, and 5% acetic acid at 25 degrees C. Thermal treatments with water at 95 degrees C, and 5% acetic acid at 95 degrees C, were both significantly (P < 0.05) more effective in APC reduction than were nonthermal treatments, but were not significantly different from each other. Results indicated that a thermal water immersion intervention in primary processing of fresh melons can result in a 3-log reduction of natural microflora surface contamination, but 5% acetic acid will not significantly augment this reduction.