Microbiological Quality of Red Meat Offal Produced at Australian Export Establishments.

A national baseline study of offal hygiene was undertaken at 17 Australian export establishments. A total of 1756 samples of different offal types were analysed for aerobic plate count (APC), generic , and coliform bacteria. Average APC values varied from 1.

Evaluation of ELISA coupled with Western blot as a surveillance tool for Trichinella infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Trichinella surveillance in wildlife relies on muscle digestion of large samples which are logistically difficult to store and transport in remote and tropical regions as well as labour-intensive to process. Serological methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) offer rapid, cost-effective alternatives for surveillance but should be paired with additional tests because of the high false-positive rates encountered in wildlife. We investigated the utility of ELISAs coupled with Western blot (WB) in providing evidence of Trichinella exposure or infection in wild boar.

Real-time PCR as a surveillance tool for the detection of Trichinella infection in muscle samples from wildlife.

Trichinella nematodes are the causative agent of trichinellosis, a meat-borne zoonosis acquired by consuming undercooked, infected meat. Although most human infections are sourced from the domestic environment, the majority of Trichinella parasites circulate in the natural environment in carnivorous and scavenging wildlife. Surveillance using reliable and accurate diagnostic tools to detect Trichinella parasites in wildlife hosts is necessary to evaluate the prevalence and risk of transmission from wildlife to humans.

Use of routine beef carcase Escherichia coli monitoring data to investigate the relationship between hygiene status of incoming stock and processing efficacy.

In Australian export-registered abattoirs microbiological monitoring is carried out within the E. coli and Salmonella Monitoring (ESAM) program. During the calendar year 2003, the ESAM database indicated a national prevalence of Escherichia coli of around 3.

A comparison of selected methods for measuring the virulence properties of Listeria spp.

The comparative ability of different methods to assess virulence of Listeria species was investigated in ten Listeria strains. All strains were initially subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis to determine their relatedness. Virulence characteristics were subsequently tested for by (i) determining the presence of six virulence genes by polymerase chain reaction; (ii) testing for the production of listeriolysin O, phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C, and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C; (iii) investigating the hydrophobicity of the strains; (iv) determining the strains ability to attach to, enter, and replicate within the Caco-2 cells.

A study of the prevalence and enumeration of Salmonella enterica in cattle and on carcasses during processing.

Salmonella prevalence and counts were estimated for samples from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, and feces of 100 cattle at slaughter and from the pre- and postchill carcasses of these cattle. Samples were collected from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from each of four unrelated groups slaughtered at a single abattoir on different days. Ten additional fecal samples from each group were collected from their respective abattoir holding pens prior to slaughter.

An investigation of Escherichia coli O157 contamination of cattle during slaughter at an abattoir.

The extent of contamination with Escherichia coli O157 was determined for 100 cattle during slaughter. Samples from 25 consecutively slaughtered cattle from four unrelated groups were collected from the oral cavity, hide, rumen, feces after evisceration, and pre- and postchill carcass. Ten random fecal samples were collected from the pen where each group of animals was held at the abattoir.

Isolation and characterisation of Arcobacter butzleri from meat.

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Arcobacter in ground chicken, pork, beef and lamb meats. Meat samples were enriched in Arcobacter broth (AB) containing cefoperazone, amphotericin and teicoplanin (CAT) supplement. Samples were screened for the presence of Arcobacter spp.

A probabilistic analysis of Clostridium perfringens growth during food service operations.

The purpose of this study was threefold: first, the study was designed to illustrate the use of data and information collected in food safety surveys in a quantitative risk assessment. In this case, the focus was on the food service industry; however, similar data from other parts of the food chain could be similarly incorporated. The second objective was to quantitatively describe and better understand the role that the food service industry plays in the safety of food.

Aerobio Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Beef Lean and Fatty Tissue: Equations Describing the Effects of Temperature and pH.

The aerobio growth rate and the duration of the lag period were determined for Listeria monocytogenes strain Murray B growing on ground beef lean and on pieces of fatty tissue. The organism grew at 0°C on lean tissue at pH ≥ 6 and on fatty tissue. It failed to grow at 0°C on lean at pH 5.

Occurrence, Numbers, and Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on some Vacuum-Packaged Processed Meats.

Listeriae were detected on 93 of 175 samples of vacuum-packed processed meats obtained from retail stores. More than 1000 colony forming units of listeriae per g were found on seven of 130 samples in which the numbers of listeriae were estimated. When sliced corned-beef and ham, from four manufacturers, were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes and vacuum-packed, the growth rate of the organism varied with the composition of the product.

Detection of Listeria spp. in Meat and Environmental Samples by an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

An ELISA kit (TECRA™) for the detection of Listeria spp. was evaluated for its ability to detect these organisms in naturally contaminated meat and in environmental samples from meat processing plants. Of the 170 samples examined, Listeria monocytogenes and/or L.

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes on Vacuum-packaged Beef.

Pieces of beef striploin (400 g) were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes strain Murray B, vacuum packaged, and stored at either 0°C or 5.3°C. Growth of the organism on the beef depended on the temperature of storage, the pH of the lean, and the type of tissue.