Microbiological Status of Chicken Carcases from a Non-Automated Poultry Processing Plant

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of processing on the microbiological status of chicken carcases in a small South African Grade B poultry abattoir. The bacterial numbers after defeathering (6.2- 6.6 log CFU g-1 ) and after evisceration (6.3 - 6.4 log CFU g -1 ) were the highest. Marginally lower total numbers (5.5 - 6.1 log CFU g-1 ) were obtained after chilling. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in bacterial numbers amongst the different sampling sites in the abattoir during processing. A significant decrease in bacterial numbers (P<0.05) was obtained after chilling at 10:30 and 12:30 compared to corresponding numbers of samples taken after defeathering and after evisceration. No significant differences (P>0.05) were obtained irrespectively ofthe days of sampling and times of sampling. Escherichia coli was repeatedly isolated from the chicken carcases. Staphylococcus aureus was less frequently isolated and presumptive Salmonella was isolated only in low numbers.