Microbial Biofilm and Bacterial Contamination on Pig Carcasses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to emphasize the presence of biofilm on meat surfaces using epifluorescences microscopy and establishing the microbial contamination level by classical microbiological methods. The research was performed in a pork slaughterhouse. The presence of microbial biofilm and the level of contamination were performed on surfaces from pig carcasses and cut pieces. Clusters of microorganisms included in a biofilm matrix were found on the surface of carcasses on sternal region, coast region, coccigian region and on surfaces of cut pieces: chop, front of thighs. Microbial biofilm was present on carcasses and cut pieces at least 3 days length, in regions with high humidity and microbial contamination level ranged of 10²- 10³ cfu/ cm². The microbial load of the surfaces was assessed using the following microbiological indicators: total viable count (TVC), the number of enterobacteria and Pseudomonas genus. The level of carcasses contamination ranged on average from 1.3 x 10 cfu/ cm² (neck) to 2.6 x 10³ cfu/cm² (front of pulp). The proportion of Enterobacteriaceae-positive samples was 60%, with a low level of contamination (less than 1 cfu/ cm²). Germs of the Pseudomonas genus were absent in all the analyzed samples.