Effects of postchill application of acidified sodium chlorite to control Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli on commercial broiler carcasses.
Experiments were performed to assess the reduction of Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli in commercial broiler carcasses by postchill dip applications of acidified sodium chlorite. Carcass rinses were collected before the inside-outside-bird washer (IOBW), post-IOBW, postchill, and after the postchill application of acidified sodium chlorite. Prevalence and counts of Campylobacter spp. and E. coli were determined. The mean values for Campylobacter spp. and E. coli counts differed significantly at sampling sites. The IOBW reduced the bacterial counts significantly in only one experiment. The chiller reduced Campylobacter counts significantly in both experiments but failed to significantly reduce the counts of E. coli in one experiment. No major reduction in the prevalence after enrichment for Campylobacter spp. was detected post-IOBW or postchill. However, a significant reduction in Campylobacter spp. and in E. coli counts and Campylobacter spp. prevalence was seen after the postchill application of acidified sodium chlorite. These results demonstrate that the antimicrobial effect of acidified sodium chlorite applied postchill may be used to significantly reduce Campylobacter spp. and E. coli in commercial broiler carcasses. Postchill systems may eventually be used in different applications, such as mist, spray, or bath, which could be applied closer to the final stages in processing.
Oyarzabal
Omar A
OA
Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5416, USA. oyarzoa@auburn.edu
Hawk
Christopher
C
Bilgili
Sacit F
SF
Warf
C Cayce
CC
Kemp
G Kere
GK
D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
D002712:Chlorides; D004202:Disinfectants; C001599:chlorite