The abattoir source of culturable psychrophilic Clostridium spp. causing 'blown pack' spoilage of vacuum-packed chilled venison

Abstract

Aims: To identify the abattoir source(s) of culturable psychrophilic clostridia causing 'blown pack' spoilage of vacuum-packed chilled meats. Methods and Results: Psychrophilic and psychrotolerant clostridia were isolated from hides, faeces and tonsils of deer slaughter stock, and from a meat plant environment. The isolates were differentiated using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rDNA gene (PCR-RFLP) and 16S-23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. PCR-RFLP group I clostridia were found to have restriction patterns indistinguishable from the patterns of 'blown pack'-causing Clostridium gasigenes DB1A T and R26. Gas production in packs inoculated with vegetative cells of PCR-RFLP group I clostridia was first evident after 14 days at 2°C. The prevalence of these clostridia was similar in hide and faecal samples from slaughter animals, but these micro-organisms were absent from tonsils and the meat plant environment. Banding patterns of PCR-RFLP group II clostridia showed some cross-similarity with patterns of the 'blown pack'-causing micro-organism Cl. estertheticum DSM 8809 T and Cl. estertheticumlike meat strains. The majority of clostridia in PCR-RFLP group II were found in the faeces of slaughter animals. Isolates representing PCR-RFLP group II did not, however, produce gas in vacuum packs stored at 2°C for 84 days. Conclusions: The data suggest that soil particles attached to hide or present in faeces are the most probable primary reservoir from which 'blown pack' clostridia are introduced onto carcasses. Therefore, dressing procedure hygiene remains paramount in order to control the spread of psychrophilic Clostridium spp. in a meat plant. Significance and Impact of the Study: The paper provides information critical for controlling 'blown pack' spoilage in meat processing plants. It reports on the use of molecular techniques for determination of abattoir sources of 'blown pack'-causing clostridia.

Effectiveness of Composting Road-Killed Deer In New York State

“…The prevalence of Clostridium perfringens, Listeria, Campylobacter and Yersinia in wildlife has all been studied. Clostridia that survive at low temperatures were isolated from hides, feces and tonsils of deer slaughter stock, making handling of these animals important (Broda, et al 2002). Clostridium botulimim may be found in the intestinal tract and perhaps other organs of healthy animals.…”

Diversity of Culturable Psychrophilic and Psychrotrophic Anaerobic Bacteria Isolated from Beef Abattoirs and Their Environments

“…Such bacteria have been detected in beef abattoirs and their environments, including animal feces, hides, gastrointestinal tracts of animals, and soil, as well as sewage and water (1,5,7,25). During common abattoir operations, i.e., slaughter and dressing processes, there is a potential for these organisms to contaminate carcasses and derived meat products.…”

Microbiota de jamones de cerdo cocidos asociada al deterioro por abombamiento del empaque

“…Además, de determinó la ausencia de L. monocytogenes usando PCR con primers específicos (LM1-LM2). (4,9,11). Los recuentos de BAL y psicrófilos fueron similares en algunas marcas que presentaron abombamiento, debido a que se puede estar recuperando los mismos géneros de BAL en los diferentes medios, MRS y PCA para mesófilos y psicrófilos, debido a que estas pueden desarrollarse en los diferentes medios de cultivo mencionados anteriormente, aunque no sean medios selectivos para las BAL.…”