Microbial Growth on Broiler Carcasses Stored at Different Temperatures After Air- or Water-Chilling

Poultry meat has a high risk of contamination during its processing. Storage temperature, type of packaging, and types and numbers of psychrotrophic bacteria are the major factors determining the spoilage of poultry meat. Before packaging, poultry carcasses are chilled by air or water currents in commercial slaughterhouses. The packaging material and methods are other factors influencing the spoilage of poultry meat. Although unpackaged carcasses had lower production costs, they were found to contain high numbers of microorganisms. The unpackaged carcasses are often not recommended for food safety and public health risks. The present study examines the growth of some spoilage microorganisms on unpackaged carcasses and on broiler carcasses packaged in polyethylene bags or synthetic plates. The carcasses examined in this study were collected from the slaughterhouses of the Bolu region of Turkey. All carcasses were subjected to an air or water chilling process in the slaughterhouse and then stored at 0, 4, or 7°C for 14 d. Samples were taken on d 0, 4, 8, 10, and 14 of storage and analyzed for total bacterial count, and for Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds. The carcasses packaged in synthetic plates or polyethylene bags and kept at 0°C were microbiologically safer and had longer shelf life, so they are found to be the most reliable for consuming. The shelf life of broiler carcasses could be further increased by improving hygiene and sanitation procedures at the slaughterhouse.