A seven-year survey of Campylobacter contamination in meat at different production stages in Belgium

The presence of Campylobacter was assessed in different samples of poultry, pork and beef meat and carcasses from slaughterhouses, production plants and retail level. An introductory study from 1997 to 1999, had the purpose of establishing the optimum dilution to detect changes in prevalence and allowed a semi-quantitative estimation of poultry and pork contamination. Following this, between 2000 and 2003, 4254 samples were taken in order to study the trends. The poultry matrixes represented the greatest number and the most highly contaminated samples, with 30.9% (in 0.01 g) positive samples, 18.7% (in 1 g), 46.9% (in 25 g) and 19.6% (in 0.01 g) for broiler carcasses, broiler fillets, prepared chicken and layer carcasses, respectively. Broiler carcasses and fillets sampled at retail level were significantly less contaminated than samples from production plants. Pork, beef and veal samples were rarely contaminated and, where contamination existed, it was at a low prevalence (maximum 5.0%). The high and unvarying prevalence of Campylobacter in poultry necessitates the implementation of intervention measures at the primary production level, in addition to methods of minimizing cross-contamination at the processing level. A survey plan in line with the present study could be used in the future to monitor the effects of the planned measures and performance objectives and to follow the evolution of Campylobacter contamination at all stages of the food chain, in accordance with European legislation.     

Salmonella surveillance and control at post-harvest in the Belgian pork meat chain

Salmonella remains the primary cause of reported bacterial food borne disease outbreaks in Belgium. Pork and pork products are recognized as one of the major sources of human salmonellosis. In contrast with the primary production and slaughterhouse phases of the pork meat production chain, only a few studies have focussed on the post-harvest stages. The goal of this study was to evaluate Salmonella and Escherichia coli contamination at the Belgian post-harvest stages. E. coli counts were estimated in order to evaluate the levels of faecal contamination. The results of bacteriological analysis from seven cutting plants, four meat-mincing plants and the four largest Belgian retailers were collected from official and self-monitoring controls. The prevalence of Salmonella in the cutting plants and meat-mincing plants ranged from 0% to 50%. The most frequently isolated serotype was Salmonella typhimurium. The prevalence in minced meat at retail level ranged from 0.3% to 4.3%. The levels of Salmonella contamination estimated from semi-quantitative analysis of data relating to carcasses, cuts of meat and minced meat were equal to −3.40 ± 2.04 log CFU/cm², −2.64 ± 1.76 log CFU/g and −2.35 ± 1.09 log CFU/g, respectively. The E. coli results in meat cuts and minced meat ranged from 0.21 ± 0.50 to 1.23 ± 0.89 log CFU/g and from 1.33 ± 0.58 to 2.78 ± 0.43 log CFU/g, respectively. The results showed that faecal contamination still needs to be reduced, especially in specific individual plants.     

Economics of reducing Campylobacter at different levels within the Belgian poultry meat chain

Campylobacter infections pose a serious public health problem in Belgium. Poultry meat is most likely responsible for 40% of human campylobacteriosis cases in Belgium. On a yearly basis, consumption of poultry meat causes at least 22,000 campylobacteriosis cases, with a cost of illness of Euro 10.9 million. Several intervention measures have been proposed in literature, aiming to reduce the contamination of poultry meat and thus lead to significant reductions of human campylobacteriosis cases. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio, i.e., the ratio of reduced costs of illness on intervention costs of various intervention measures. These measures were selected by representatives from the poultry meat sector and experts in the field of poultry science. The selection comprised measures at the farm level (phage therapy), at the processing plant (spraying of carcasses with lactic acid or electrolyzed oxidizing water, crust freezing, or irradiation), and at the consumer level (improving kitchen hygiene and application of home freezing). Among these measures, the decontamination of carcasses with electrolyzed oxidizing water applied in the processing plant was the most efficient (17.66), followed by the use of lactic acid (4.06). In addition, phage therapy generated a positive cost-benefit ratio (2.54). Irradiation indicated the highest efficacy, but its cost-benefit ratio was rather low (0.31). There seems to be less gain by trying to improve food handling in the kitchen. The cost to reach consumers is large, while only a very limited fraction of the consumers is willing to change its behavior. The outcome of this study poses valuable information for future risk-management decisions in Belgium.     

Salmonella surveillance in raw and cooked meat and meat products in the Republic of Ireland from 2002 to 2004

The food industry, under the regulation of the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) in the Republic of Ireland, is required to undertake all microbiological testing in relation to zoonoses control, in laboratories approved by DAF. These laboratories submit a monthly report of all tests undertaken, together with all presumptive Salmonella isolates for confirmation, typing and storage to the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL). Details of Salmonella tests on 110,229 raw and 25,189 cooked meat samples from 25 laboratories were recorded over the 3-year period 2002-2004. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 1.0% of the 110,229 raw meat samples and 0.1% of the 25,189 cooked meat samples tested. The percentage of raw meat samples contaminated with Salmonella decreased over the three-year period from 1.2% to 0.9%. There was no seasonal trend in the isolation of Salmonella from any of the meats or meat products. Recoveries of the organism were highest for turkey and chicken meats at 3.1% and 2.8%, respectively, followed by porcine meats at 2.1%. The recoveries were much lower for ovine meats and meat products at 0.2% and bovine meat and meat products at 0.16%.     

Simultaneous lipolytic and oxidative changes in turkey meat stored at different temperatures

Samples from turkey breast and thigh muscle were taken from freshly slaughtered birds under sterile conditions and stored at 37, 4 or ?18°C for up to 24 months. Changes in lipid fractions, fatty acids compositions and oxidised products were determined at intervals. Lipolysis of phospholipids was observed at 37 and at 4°C and to a small extent at ?18°C, with little change in triglyceride levels. Free fatty acid levels in general increased as phospholipids decreased. Oxodienes and conjugable oxidation products increased with time of storage, the latter products being negatively correlated with phospholipid concentrations. Changes in the ratio of tetraene to triene conjugated oxidation products formed indicated that some preferential oxidation of fatty acids more unsaturated than linoleic acid was occurring initially and this was followed by an increase in the proportion of dienes being oxidised. Both lipolysis and oxidation were faster in thigh than in breast muscle (P < 0.01) in the stored meat and in in-vitro systems. It is concluded that lipolysis and oxidation interact in the degradation of lipids during storage of turkey meat.     

Blockage of available lysine at different stages of infant cereal production

Determination of available lysine was used to assess the heat damage produced during the processing of cereals for infant foods. The infant cereals analysed were: wheat, 7 and 8 cereals, rice, rice–corn, rice–corn–soy and oat. Lysine losses during the toasting of flours ranged between 14 and 29%. Roller‐drying treatment caused considerable heat damage, with a 53% decrease of available lysine in roller‐dried rice–corn–soy. However, oat flour was less susceptible, with a 5% reduction in available lysine during roller‐drying. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Processing practices contributing to Campylobacter contamination in Belgian chicken meat preparations

The aim of this study was to obtain insight into processing practices in the poultry sector contributing to the variability in Campylobacter contamination in Belgian chicken meat preparations. This was achieved by company profiling of eleven food business operators, in order to evaluate variation of processing management, in addition to statistical modelling of microbiological testing results for Campylobacter spp. contamination in 656 end product samples. Almost half (48%) of chicken meat preparation samples were positive for Campylobacter spp. Results revealed a statistically significant variation in Campylobacter contamination between 11 chicken meat producers across Belgium at both quantitative and qualitative detection levels. All producers provided Campylobacter-positive samples, but prevalence ranged from 9% up to 85% at single producer level. The presence or addition of skin during production of chicken meat preparations resulted in almost 2.2-fold increase in the probability of a sample being positive for Campylobacter, while chicken meat preparations made from frozen meat, or partly containing pre-frozen meat, had a significant (Odds Ratio=0.41; CI 95% 0.18:0.98) lower probability of being positive for Campylobacter. However, the quantitative results indicated that the positive freezing effect on Campylobacter count was compromised by the presence and/or adding of skin.     

Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in different types of meat products on the Belgian retail market

A survey was undertaken to determine the incidence and numbers of L. monocytogenes in a variety of meat products (cooked meat products, raw cured meat products (dried or not), mayonnaise based salads and prepared meals). As expected, raw cured meat products were significantly higher contaminated with L. monocytogenes than cooked meat products, 13.71% (113/824) and 4.90% (167/3405), respectively. Also a larger proportion of raw cured meat product samples contained a high initial level of the pathogen ( > 10 cfu/g). Higher incidence rates were obtained for whole cooked meat products (e.g. cooked ham, bacon) after slicing than before slicing, 6.65 and 1.56%, respectively, indicating cross-contamination. Due to multiple handling and processing steps, the incidence rate of the pathogen was higher for cooked minced meat products than for whole cooked meat products, 6.14 and 3.96%, respectively. No significant differences were obtained in the incidence of L. monocytogenes in whole cured meat products (e.g., raw ham) and minced cured meat products (e.g., dry fermented sausage), 14.92 and 11.69%, respectively. Lower incidence rates of L. monocytogenes were obtained for raw, cured meat products using beef or horse meat, 4.65 and 5.88%, respectively, A high incidence rate of L. monocytogenes was noted for the mayonnaise based salads (21.28% (186/874)) as well as for prepared meals (11.70% (92/786)), the latter especially due to contamination of vegetarian meals.     

肉制品生产工艺对沙门氏菌活的非可培养状态的诱导及检测方法研究

目的 探索肉制品生产工艺对活的非可培养(viable but non-cultruable, VBNC)状态沙门氏菌的诱导因素,并建立一种快速检测肉制品中VBNC状态沙门氏菌的检测方法加以应对。方法 通过高温、低温、高渗透压、防腐剂、杀菌剂等生产工艺处理获取VBNC状态沙门氏菌,使用脱氧胆酸钠(sodium deoxycholate, SD)和PMAxx处理菌液,依据ttr基因进行荧光定量PCR(quantitative polymerase chain reaction, qPCR)建立SD-PMAxx-qPCR法进行检测。采用人工污染的方式对VBNC状态沙门氏菌进行检测和验证。结果 65℃处理40 min可使沙门氏菌快速进入VBNC状态,添加0.1 g/L山梨酸冷藏状态可使少量沙门氏菌缓慢进入VBNC状态。。SD-PMAxx-qPCR法能显著区分沙门氏菌的存活状态,最佳条件为0.08% SD,20 μmol/L PMAxx,黑暗孵育10 min,光解10 min。纯培养时活菌的检出灵敏度为100 CFU/mL,添加高浓度死菌时,检出灵敏度不变。通过人工污染添加至样品时,需要对样品进行涂布确认其沙门氏菌不可培养,通过100℃加热样品10分钟作为阴性对照,从而对比Ct值实现样品中VBNC状态沙门氏菌的检测。结论 沙门氏菌在肉制品生产过程中容易受到多种因素诱导进入VBNC状态,本研究建立了SD-PMAxx-qPCR法快速区分沙门氏菌的存活状态,可用于肉制品中VBNC状态沙门氏的检测,为肉制品安全生产提供技术保障。     

Three-year surveillance program examining the prevalence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in whole retail raw chicken

A 36-month study of Campylobacter and Salmonella in retail raw whole chicken was carried out to measure baseline rates at the retail level, establish seasonality, and observe changes in rates over time. In total, 2,228 samples were taken between November 2001 and December 2004. The Campylobacter rate was unchanged over the 3 years of the study, but the Salmonella rates declined significantly between 2001 and 2004. There was also some seasonality in Campylobacter rates in fresh samples. The overall conclusion from the study was that the Salmonella rate in raw chicken available to consumers in Wales fell significantly between 2001 and 2004, while the Campylobacter rate remained unchanged and is still by far the greater problem.     

The prevalence and some metabolic traits of Brochothrix thermosphacta in meat and meat products packaged in different ways

BACKGROUND: The effect of Brochothrix thermosphacta on the quality of meat and meat products is of vital importance in connection with Regulation EC/178/2002 extending the definition of unsafe foodstuffs to encompass all those which are unfit for human consumption. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of B. thermosphacta in meat and meat products packaged under different conditions and to estimate the effect of B. thermosphacta strains on product quality based on their protein and lipid degradation activity. RESULTS: B. thermosphacta was absent in only two of 132 samples. All other samples were contaminated with this bacterium (10¹ to 10⁹cfu g^?1 meat and 10² to 10⁸cfu g^?1meat product). In products stored under high‐oxygen atmosphere Brochothrix cells accounted for almost 100% total mesophilic count (TMC) and below 50% TMC in oxygen‐free atmosphere. While the tested B. thermosphacta strains did not show any proteolytic activity, most of them displayed lipolytic activity at 25 °C and some even at 4 °C. CONCLUSION: B. thermosphacta is commonly present in meat and meat products packaged in different ways. This bacterium can display lipolytic activity also at refrigeration temperature. Its over‐proliferation can be inhibited through vacuum packaging or packaging under a modified atmosphere with reduced oxygen content. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Metabolic and production profiles of dairy cows in response to decreased nutrient density to increase physiological imbalance at different stages of lactation

Physiological imbalance (PI) is a situation in which physiological parameters deviate from the normal, and cows consequently have an increased risk of developing production diseases and reduced production or reproduction. Our objectives were to (1) determine the effect of stage of lactation and milk yield on metabolic and production responses of cows during a nutrient restriction period to experimentally increase PI; (2) identify major metabolites that relate to degree of PI; and (3) identify potential biomarkers in milk for on-farm detection of PI throughout lactation. Forty-seven Holstein cows in early [n=14; 49±22 d in milk (DIM); parity=1.6±0.5], mid (n=15; 159±39 DIM; parity=1.5±0.5), and late (n=18; 273±3 DIM; parity=1.3±0.5) lactation were used. Prior to restriction, all cows were fed the same total mixed ration ad libitum. All cows were then nutrient restricted for 4 d by supplementing the ration with 60% wheat straw to induce PI. After restriction, cows returned to full feed. Daily milk yield was recorded and composite milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, citrate, somatic cells, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and milk urea nitrogen. Blood was collected daily and analyzed for metabolites: nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), BHBA, glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, and insulin. The revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI) was calculated for each cow. Liver biopsies collected before and during restriction were analyzed for triglycerides, glycogen, phospholipids, glucose, and total lipid content. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effect of stage of lactation on responses during restriction. Regression analyses were used to examine the effect of pre-restriction levels on changes during restriction. Similar decreases in milk yield among groups indicate that the capacity of individual responses is dependent on milk yield but the coping strategies used are dependent on stage of lactation. Milk yield was a better predictor of feed intake than DIM. Plasma glucose decreased for all cows, and cows in early lactation had increased plasma BHBA, whereas cows in later lactation had increased NEFA during restriction. Milk citrate had the greatest increase (58%) during restriction for all cows. Results reported here identified metabolites (i.e., glucose, NEFA, BHBA, cholesterol) as predictors of PI and identified milk citrate as a promising biomarker for PI on farm.     

Chemical changes in meat due to processing--a review

The advantages in terms of length of storage life of the various processes used to preserve meat are contrasted with their disadvantages in terms of chemical change. It is concluded that freezing offers the best combination of factors until the organoleptic disadvantages of sterilising doses of ionising radiation have been overcome.     

油橄榄鲜果中总黄酮提取工艺优化及其含量随不同成熟度的变化

以油橄榄鲜果为材料,采用响应面法对超声波辅助提取油橄榄总黄酮工艺进行优化,并测定皮瓜尔、弗奥、克罗莱卡、卡林、鄂植、云台、配多灵、科拉蒂八个品种的六个成熟度的总黄酮含量。基于单因素实验,以料液比、甲醇浓度、超声温度和超声时间为自变量,油橄榄总黄酮提取量为响应值,确定最佳提取工艺条件:料液比1∶23(g/m L)、甲醇浓度80%、超声温度48℃、超声时间30min,油橄榄鲜果总黄酮提取量为0.8567mg/g。八个油橄榄品种的总黄酮含量随成熟度增加,呈现先下降后略有上升的变化趋势,含量最高为克罗莱卡的第一成熟度3.9042mg/g,最低为云台的第四成熟度0.7189mg/g,鄂植和配多灵从第三成熟度开始总黄酮含量显著高于其他品种。      

Characterisation of the microbial population at different stages of Kefir production and Kefir grain mass cultivation

Kefir is a fermented milk that is produced by adding Kefir grains, consisting of bacteria and yeasts, to milk. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial population at different stages of traditional Kefir production and Kefir grain mass cultivation. Seven different selective growth media, morphological and biochemical characteristics were used for the isolation and identification of the microbes. The microbial numbers during Kefir production varied between 4.6×10³ and 2.6×10⁸. A Zygosaccharomyces sp. was isolated from traditional Kefir grains and after the culturing conditions applied during the mass cultivation Candida lambica and C. krusei were present. Although these two species are present in other fermented milks, this study is the first to report their presence in Kefir. Species of Leuconostoc, Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Cryptococcus were isolated from traditional grains. Lactobacillus plantarum was present in the mass cultivated grains, but not in the traditional Kefir grains.     

Evaluation of the thermal resistance of different Salmonella serotypes in pork meat containing curing additives

The preliminary heat resistance evaluation of 94 Salmonella strains was carried out in culture medium (Trypticase soy broth, TSB). The heat resistance of three S. typhimurium strains (ATCC 14028, 133 and 1116), a strain each of S. derby B4373, S. potsdam 1133, S. menston 179. S. eppendorf 166, and S. kingston I124 was determined also in pork meat containing curing additives. As expected, the eight Salmonella strains showed greater heat resistance in pork meat than in TSB. At the lowest temperature (58 degrees C), the heat resistance increased 1.5-4 times, and it was most pronounced for the strains being most heat sensitive in TSB. S. potsdam 133 was the most resistant strain in pork meat, with D-values at 58 degrees C, 60 degrees C and 63 degrees C of 4.80, 1.57 and 0.30 min, respectively. The most sensitive strain turned out to be S. kingston 1124, with D-values of 2.79. 0.92 and 0.24 min, at the same temperatures. According to collected data, the heating processes, as applied to cured pork meat, providing an internal temperature of 60 degrees C for 9-10 min or of 63 degrees C for 3-4 min can be expected to provide a > or = 7 D kill of Salmonella belonging to the serotypes studied.     

Determination of changes occurred in the microflora of cig kofte (raw meat balls) at different storage temperatures

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different storage temperatures on the microbiological characteristics and pH values of cig kofte during storage. Storage temperature affected significantly total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB), coliforms, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Staphylococcus aureus counts of cig kofte which had lower counts in refrigerator storage than in room storage following sixth hour for TAMB (P < 0.001), coliform (P < 0.01, P < 0.001), S. aureus (P < 0.01, P < 0.001) and LAB (P < 0.001) and at the end of storage for yeasts and moulds (P < 0.001). Listeria and Salmonella spp. could not be detected at both refrigerator temperature and room temperature storage. In order to minimise the contamination level of cig kofte, use of best microbial quality minced meat and ingredients as well as good personnel hygiene is required and preserved. In addition, Cig kofte should be kept in refrigerator when leftovers remain for additional meals.     

Use of mild irradiation doses to control pathogenic bacteria on meat trimmings for production of patties aiming at provoking minimal changes in quality attributes

The objectives of the present work were to assess the use of moderate doses of gamma irradiation (2 to 5 kGy) and to reduce the risk of pathogen presence without altering the quality attributes of bovine trimmings and of patties made of irradiated trimmings. Microbiological indicators (coliforms, Pseudomonas spp and mesophilic aerobic counts), physicochemical indicators (pH, color and tiobarbituric acid) and sensory changes were evaluated during storage. 5 kGy irradiation doses slightly increased off flavors in patties. Two pathogenic markers (Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were inoculated at high or low loads to trimming samples which were subsequently irradiated and lethality curves were obtained. Provided that using irradiation doses ≤ 2.5 kGy are used, reductions of 2 log CFU/g of L. monocytogenes and 5 log CFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 are expected. It seems reasonable to suppose that irradiation can be successfully employed to improve the safety of frozen trimmings when initial pathogenic bacteria burdens are not extremely high.     

Mechanical parameters to assess quality changes in cherimoya fruit

 Several mechanical parameters obtained by means of compression and penetration tests, and changes in cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) fruit quality during storage in air and two controlled atmospheres (CA), (3% O₂+0% CO₂ and 3% O₂+3% CO₂) were analysed. A gradient of softening was found among the equatorial and the apical areas of the flesh during CA storage, as assessed by localized penetration tests. The combination of low O₂/elevated CO₂ (3% O₂+3% CO₂) increased this gradient and had a greater inhibiting effect on skin softening than low O₂. It appeared that the prevention of softening by CA was stronger in the less mature tissues (equatorial and outer areas) than in the more mature tissues (apical and inner areas around the longitudinal axis). CA delayed or inhibited changes in fruit quality observed during air storage: increases in total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and yellowness of the flesh (b), and diminution in flesh lightness of colour (L). A good relationship between an objective quality index (QI, where QI=TSS+TA+L/b) and the compression slope (CS) was found during storage under all the conditions tested. It is suggested that the relationship, QI=29.25+0.04×CS–0.0023×CS² could be useful when assessing stages of cherimoya fruit quality during storage under different conditions by performing a nondestructive, compression test. Received: 23 April 1998     

Mechanical parameters to assess quality changes in cherimoya fruit

 Several mechanical parameters obtained by means of compression and penetration tests, and changes in cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) fruit quality during storage in air and two controlled atmospheres (CA), (3% O₂+0% CO₂ and 3% O₂+3% CO₂) were analysed. A gradient of softening was found among the equatorial and the apical areas of the flesh during CA storage, as assessed by localized penetration tests. The combination of low O₂/elevated CO₂ (3% O₂+3% CO₂) increased this gradient and had a greater inhibiting effect on skin softening than low O₂. It appeared that the prevention of softening by CA was stronger in the less mature tissues (equatorial and outer areas) than in the more mature tissues (apical and inner areas around the longitudinal axis). CA delayed or inhibited changes in fruit quality observed during air storage: increases in total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and yellowness of the flesh (b), and diminution in flesh lightness of colour (L). A good relationship between an objective quality index (QI, where QI=TSS+TA+L/b) and the compression slope (CS) was found during storage under all the conditions tested. It is suggested that the relationship, QI=29.25+0.04×CS–0.0023×CS² could be useful when assessing stages of cherimoya fruit quality during storage under different conditions by performing a nondestructive, compression test.