Spoilage association of chicken skin

Microbiota encompassing putative spoilage bacteria in retail packaged broiler meat and commercial broiler abattoir

It is well established, that certain bacteria within the Brochothrix, Carnobacterium, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Leuconostoc genera have an important role in the spoilage of chill stored poultry meat packaged in modified atmosphere. However, little is known about the role of microorganisms that are difficult to culture and the microbiota during poultry spoilage. We combined traditional cultivation and culture-independent 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to investigate the microbiota encompassing putative bacteria of whole broiler meat, packaged in modified atmosphere, during and exceeding shelf-life. Samples were taken from 6 flocks during independent slaughter days. Additional samples were analysed from the production line. There was a significant difference in the microbial community structure of 80%O₂/20%CO₂ retail packaged broiler meat during different times of shelf-life, mainly due to an increase of species within the Brochothrix, Carnobacterium, Vagococcus, and Janthinobacterium genera. These genera were already detected four to eight days after slaughter. However, no significant difference between flocks with respect to the microbiota encompassing putative spoilage bacteria was observed when examined in retail packaged broilers, slaughtered at the same abattoir on different days. Our study also showed that lactic acid bacteria within the Vagococcus genus can constitute a dominating part of the later shelf-life microbiota in fresh whole broiler meat packaged in 80%O₂/20%CO₂ modified atmosphere. A single operational taxonomic unit (OTU) assigned as Janthinobacterium lividum, an occasional spoiler of meat products, was identified as a major part of the microbiota in late shelf life broiler meat and swab samples in the cooling facility at the slaughter house production line. The combination of traditional cultivation and culture-independent methods provided a great insight into the microbiota of broiler meat during shelf-life and identified a potential point of contamination in the production line for cold tolerant Janthinobacterium.

A numerical taxonomic study of the Pseudomonas flora isolated from poultry meat

Pseudomonas strains were isolated from both fresh and cold-stored broiler skin. Phenotypically-based numerical taxonomic techniques were used to characterize the isolates and 36 reference strains. For this purpose, Biolog GN Microplates, API 20NE and a number of other biochemical tests were used. Jaccard clustering revealed the predominance of four major Pseudomonas groups: Ps. fragi, Ps. lundensis, strains belonging to Ps. fluorescens biovars and an unidentified group of strains displaying a high degree of similarity to Ps. fluorescens biovars. Within Ps. fluorescens, biovar A was best represented. The marked proteolytic character of members of Ps. fluorescens biovars A, B and C, as well as of members of the unidentified cluster, supports their possible role in the origin of organoleptic defects. In the Ps. lundensis cluster, a distinct group of Ps. lundensis-like species was found. Further genotypic studies should be carried out to clarify the taxonomic status of the Ps. lundensis-like strains and that of the unidentified group resembling Ps. fluorescens biovars A and B.

Effect of environmental pollutants on taste and smell

Various man-made and naturally occurring chemicals and substances can modify the chemosensory systems of animals and man. This article provides an overview of research studies that investigate the impact of pollution on taste and smell perception. Acute and chronic alterations in taste and olfaction are discussed for solvents, herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, disinfectants, germicides, soil fumigants, dyes, pharmaceuticals, textile wastes, smog, tobacco smoke, perfumes, flavors, plastics, synthetic rubber, and other industrial substances. The mechanisms by which pollutants may cause physiologic and biologic changes are highlighted. Natural detoxification systems are discussed, as well as treatments for chemosensory deficits.

Volatile compounds produced by meat pseudomonads and relate reference strains during growth on beef stored in air at chill temperatures

Volatile compounds produced by 31 strains of pseudomonads and by reference strains of Pseudomonas fragi and Ps. fluorescens biotype 1 during growth on beef stored at 6 degrees C in air were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of headspace gases. Compounds of major sensory significance were ethyl and methyl esters of C2-C8 fatty acids and sulphur-containing compounds which included methane- and isopropanethiols and their related sulphides and thioesters but not hydrogen sulphide. Ester production was mainly associated with growth of some, but not all, Ps. fragi and related meat strains but sulphur-containing compounds were produced by all but a single meat strain. A minority of other meat strains produced greater amounts of methyl ketones, secondary alcohols and unsaturated hydrocarbons believed to be of lipid origin.

Volatile compounds associated with the aerobic growth of some Pseudomonas species on beef

Five strains representing four clusters of meat spoilage pseudomonads were grown on sterile beef at 5 degrees C. After 7 days incubation sensory assessments were made and the chemical composition of the headspace gases determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. There was good correlation between odour descriptions and chemical data for three of the strains. The most numerous types of product were esters and sulphur-containing compounds. Of 45 compounds identified only 1-undecene was common to all the tested strains.

Identification of volatile organic compounds produced by fluorescent pseudomonads on chicken breast muscle

Four different fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from spoiled, uncooked chicken breasts and were grown in pure culture on initially sterile chicken breast muscle at 2 to 6 degrees C for 14 days. The volatile compounds produced by each culture were concentrated on a porous polymer precolumn and separated and identified by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Spoilage of chicken skin at 2 degrees C: electron microscopic study

Microscopic techniques were used in conjunction with normal microbiological procedures to examine the development of the spoilage microflora on the skin of chicken carcasses held at 2 degrees C. Pigmented and nonpigmented psychrotrophic pseudomonads were the major spoilage bacteria isolated at all stages of storage examined. The spoilage microflora grow within a liquid film covering the skin surface, as well as in feather follicle shafts. Penetration and disruption of skin tissue were not observed even after onset of organoleptic spoilage. Bacteria were not attached to the skin by extracellular bridging substances. These data suggest a nonspecific histological-microbiological relationship between he spoilage association and the skin substrate.

Contamination of broiler carcass skin during commercial processing procedures: an electron microscopic study

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used in conjunction with normal microbiological cultural techniques to examine some aspects of contamination of broiler carcass skin by bacteria during processing. The autochthonous skin microflora of poultry, before processing, was mainly Micrococcus spp. which were located in accumulations of sebum-like substances on the surface of the stratum corneum. During scalding and plucking, the skin epidermis was removed, and exposed dermal tissue was contaminated by microorganisms from the mechanical plucker and subsequent stages of processing. Major sources of psychrotrophic contamination were the immersion washer and chiller water. Microbial contaminants were found within a fluid film on the skin surface and inside deep skin channels. Skin microtopography and the presence of the liquid film were implicated as major factors controlling contamination during processing.