Bifidobacteria as indicators of faecal contamination along a sheep meat production chain.
OBJECTIVE
The potential use of bifidobacteria as indicators for faecal contamination was studied along a sheep meat production and processing chain. The levels of bifidobacteria were compared with those of Escherichia coli. Total viable counts were followed along the chain (244 samples).


RESULTS
Forty-three per cent of the samples contained bifidobacteria, of which 15% were solely detected using a PCR method based on the hsp60 gene and not by a culture-based method. Bifidobacteria were detected in only three of nine sheep faeces samples using one or the other method. However, carcasses (types C and E) were highly contaminated. These sample types (30% and 28%, respectively) were positive for bifidobacteria and negative for E. coli. The species Bifidobacterium pseudolongum and Bif. thermophilum, isolated from faecal samples, were predominant. Bifidobacterium choerinum were found in C, D, E and F sample types.


CONCLUSIONS
Bifidobacteria were shown more efficient than E. coli in carcasses samples. The presence of Bif. choerinum suggested a faecal pork contamination.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection and identification of bifidobacteria, in correlation with E. coli counting, should improve hygiene quality of mutton processing chains.
Delcenserie
V
V
Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liege, Belgium.
Loncaric
D
D
Bonaparte
C
C
Upmann
M
M
China
B
B
Daube
G
G
Gavini
F
F
D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018834:Chaperonin 60 / Q000235:genetics; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D008460:Meat / Q000382:microbiology*; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012756:Sheep
D018834:Chaperonin 60