Microbiological status of selected chicken carcases from a non-automated poultry processing plant

The microbiological status of chicken carcases sampled at three different processing points in a South African Grade B poultry abattoir slaughtering ca. 750 birds per hour, was determined. Six skin samples and two meat samples were aseptically collected from different sites on each carcase. Total bacterial counts were performed at 25 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C and all colonies from plates showing between 30 and 300 cfu were characterised. Bacterial counts of the skin samples at 37 OC were consistently the highest, followed by those at 25 degrees C and then 43 degrees, but for the two meat samples the highest bacterial counts were found at 37 degrees C and the lowest at 25 degrees C. Neck skin counts were marginally higher than bacterial counts of the other skin samples. The Gram negative genera Escherichia and Acinetobacter were isolated most frequently at all three incubation temperatures and from all sampling sites, while the dominant Gram positive genera were Staphylococcus and Enterococcus. Escherichia isolates predominated on the skin sampling site cranio-dorsal to the pygostyle, whilst Staphylococcus isolates predominated on the skin sampling site caudal to the breastbone. Microbiological contamination is a major problem in the abattoir studied and further studies should therefore aim to determine points of maximum contamination in the processing line.