title: Distribution Channel and Microbial Characteristics of Pig By-products in Korea.
abstract: The distribution channel of meat by-products from the pig farm to the final consumer can include a meat processor, wholesale market, wholesaler, retailer, and butcher shop. Bacterial contamination at any of these steps remains to be a serious public health concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution channel and microbial characteristics of pig by-products in Korea. Upon evaluation of pig by-products in cold storage, we found that the small and large intestine were significantly (p<0.05) higher in pH value compared to the heart and liver. The total plate counts were not significantly different among offals until cold storage for 7 d. The coliform count after 1 d of cold storage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in small and large intestine than in the other organs. The coliform count of heart, liver, and stomach showed a higher coliform count than small and large intestine until 7 d of cold storage. As determined by 16S rRNA sequencing, contamination of major pig by-products with Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., and other bacterial species occurred. Therefore, our results suggest that a more careful washing process is needed to maintain quality and hygiene and to ensure the safety of pig by-products, especially for small and large intestine.
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Geunho
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Pil-Nam
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.affiliation: Sunjin Meat Academy Research Center, Seoul 134-822, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungsil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Soohyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung-Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoungmi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Moon
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Animal Products Research and Development Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon 441-706, Korea.
authors.forename: Beom-Young
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: coliforms; distribution channel; microbial contamination; offal; pig by-products