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Microbial Contamination of Meat Contact Surfaces at the Selected Beef Processing Plants in Selangor and its Biofilm Formation Ability

Siti Shahara Zulfakar, Nur Faizah Abu-Bakar, Anith Amirah Aidilputra, Alexander Miatong and Elizabeth Sinirisan Chong

Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 42, Issue 2, May 2019

Keywords: Abattoirs, beef, biofilm formation, meat contact surface, meat contamination

Published on: 30 May 2019

Cross-contamination of meat products with the surrounding contact surfaces does occur during slaughtering procedures. This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination level of meat contact surfaces at the selected local abattoirs. Swab samples of knives, splitting tools and air curtains were collected from two sites in Selangor. The presence of selected indicator and pathogenic microorganisms (total Aerobic Plate Count [APC], Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli [E. coli] and Salmonella spp.) were determined using the plate count method. The isolates obtained were then tested in terms of the biofilm formation ability using the microtiter plate crystal violet assay. Overall results showed that the average total APC for all contact surfaces was 4.77±1.14 log CFU/cm2 (mean±sd). Enterobacteriaceae was found on 75% of the samples at 3.31±1.14 log CFU/cm2. E. coli was only detected on 11.36% of the total contact surfaces at 2.91±1.00 log CFU/ cm2 whereas 25% of the total samples were positive with Salmonella spp. Splitting tools were identified as the most contaminated meat contact surface. Variations in biofilm formation ability were observed between isolates although most of them formed weakly adherent biofilms, especially at 4°C. The study findings help to enhance the systems used in the local abattoirs to ensure safe and top quality meat production.

ISSN 1511-3701

e-ISSN 2231-8542

Article ID

JTAS-1564-2018

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