Detection of Foodborne Pathogens and Mycotoxins in Eggs and Chicken Feeds from Farms to Retail Markets.
Contamination by foodborne pathogens and mycotoxins was examined in 475 eggs and 20 feed samples collected from three egg layer farms, three egg-processing units, and five retail markets in Korea. Microbial contamination with Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, and Arcobacter species was examined by bacterial culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The contamination levels of aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and zearalenone in eggs and chicken feeds were simultaneously analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection after the post-derivatization. While E. coli was isolated from 9.1% of eggs, Salmonella species were not isolated. Arcobacter species were detected in 0.8% of eggs collected from egg layers by PCR only. While aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and zearalenone were found in 100%, 100%, and 85% of chicken feeds, their contamination levels were below the maximum acceptable levels (1.86, 2.24, and 147.53 μg/kg, respectively). However, no eggs were contaminated with aflatoxins, ochratoxins, or zearalenone. Therefore, the risk of contamination by mycotoxins and microbes in eggs and chicken feeds is considered negligible and unlikely to pose a threat to human health.
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Minhwa
M
Lee
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Dong Joo
DJ
Seo
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Su Been
SB
Jeon
Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Hyun Ee
HE
Ok
Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Hyelee
H
Jung
Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Changsun
C
Choi
Advanced Food Safety Research Group, BK21 Plus, Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Biotechnology and Natural Resources, Chung-Ang University, Anseong 17546, Korea.
Hyang Sook
HS
Chun
contamination; eggs; foodborne pathogens; mycotoxins; safety