Progress 02/10/16 to 01/18/21
Outputs
PROGRESS REPORT Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1. Develop reliable and reproducible challenge models with Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in accurately developing, evaluating, and validating processes for reducing pathogen load using various chemical sanitizers. Objective 2. Develop, evaluate, and validate current and novel chemicals, operational protocols, and sampling methodologies used during poultry production and processing of broilers for the reduction and/or control of foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 2.1. Assess the ability of commercial and novel chemical sanitizers to reduce or eliminate Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Pseudomonas species from inoculated broiler carcasses and parts. Sub-objective 2.2. Examine the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers applied to carcasses before defeathering or before chilling to reduce contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter carcasses in postchill carcasses. Sub-objective 2.3. Formulate novel microbicidal surfactants from mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and organic acids (OA) to be used as sanitizers to significantly reduce microbial contamination during poultry processing. Objective 3. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact bird/egg contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Sub-objective 3.1. Assess the ability of chemical sanitizers to reduce contamination of inoculated, fertile eggs by Salmonella. Sub-objective 3.2. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact broiler contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Objective 4. Determine the extrinsic factors that impact the survival and attachment of microorganisms including evaluating media and growth factors. Develop and validate new improved technologies to isolate and propagate foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 4.1. Evaluate media and growth factors and use the findings to develop new, improved technologies for the isolation and propagation of Campylobacter. Sub-objective 4.2. Assess accuracy of current laboratory methods in recovering Salmonella from poultry, animal feeds, and dry environmental samples with fermentable substrates available and development of a more efficient pre-enrichment media. Approach (from AD-416): Poultry products contaminated by Salmonella and Campylobacter continue to be major sources of human foodborne illnesses. Live poultry are sporadically colonized by these pathogens, and the birds may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria without displaying any signs of illness or declines in performance. Cross contamination of carcasses during processing may spread the bacteria to poultry meat which may cause foodborne infections if the meat is not properly handled. Therefore, the primary goal of our research will be to develop novel interventions that may be used by commercial poultry producers and processors to reduce contamination of poultry by Salmonella, Campylobacter, and indicator microorganisms. Novel chemical sanitizers that may be used during processing to reduce carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens will be formulated or identified. Factors that enhance survival of these pathogens will be identified and used to formulate a novel bacteriological medium that will be utilized in research projects to determine the efficacy of currently available and newly developed interventions. The project outcomes will result in additional control measures that will reduce the levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler flocks and reduce contamination of processed carcasses by these pathogens. These outcomes will enable the poultry industry to achieve Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standard goals and to reduce the number of cases of human foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Research goals will be achieved by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge and skills of the scientists and other scientists who possess skills and resources required to successfully compete this project. This is the final report for this project. It was replaced with bridging project 6040-32000-077-000D pending completion of research review. Over the life of the project researchers made significant progress in discovering new approaches that can be used to reduce the contamination of poultry meat by human foodborne pathogens. Under Objective 1, progress was made in evaluating techniques to enhance attachment of bacteria to broiler carcass skin for experimental trials. Calcium alginate suspensions and vegetable oils were examined as carriers used to enhance bacterial attachment when inoculating carcasses with Salmonella. These findings will be useful in conduction research using whole broilers and chicken parts that are artificially contaminated with bacteria. Under Objective 2, progress was made in the evaluation of a low acid processing aid to reduce numbers of Campylobacter on broiler breast skin and thigh skin. Also, the effect of acidic conditions on the injury and death of Salmonella was determined. Additionally, researchers collaborated with the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to develop a neutralizing solution for use in Salmonella verification testing in commercial poultry processing facilities. The neutralizer is now being utilized in testing in commercial processing facilities. Progress was also made on examining the effect combining chemical interventions to enhance the ability of individual interventions to reduce contamination of chicken meat by harmful bacteria. Findings demonstrated that dipping poultry meat in antimicrobial chemical solutions in a specific, sequential order produced significant reduction in contamination of the meat by Campylobacter. Furthermore, in vitro studies were conducted to examine the antibacterial activity of medium-chained-fatty acids (MCFA) dissolved in amino acid solutions. Disc diffusion assays were conducted with the MCFA-amino acids and indicated that some of the mixtures could inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Additional progress was made on the evaluation of fluidic nozzles and high-water pressure to remove bacteria from broiler carcasses. Studies indicated that washing the carcasses with water under high pressure could reduce contamination by Campylobacter and other bacteria. Researchers also determined that removal of Salmonella and Campylobacter from broiler carcasses may be improved by the application of chemical interventions using the high pressure, low flow, fluidic nozzles. Studies on methods to reduce contamination of the flooring materials used in broiler transport crates showed that the use of water rinse and steam treatments could reduce the number of bacteria on the flooring material. Results showed that water rinse followed by steam heat was more effective than other treatments in reducing the numbers of bacteria on the flooring material. These findings may be useful in reducing the number of harmful bacteria on processed chicken meat. Under Objective 3, the impact of adding cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) to broiler drinking water as a preharvest Salmonella intervention during feed withdrawal was evaluated. Experiments showed that the amount of water and feed consumed by the broilers decreased as the amount of CPC added to the water was increased. CPC reduced water consumption but did not decrease Salmonella concentrations in the broilers. Additionally, under Objective 3, sampling commercial broiler flocks, at different times prior to shipping to processing facilities, indicated that cecal sampling cannot predict Salmonella prevalence following feed withdrawal. Also, contamination of the respiratory tracts of the birds with Salmonella, total aerobic bacteria, or Enterobacter bacteria did not increase during feed withdrawal. Also, under Objective 3, studies were conducted that showed recovery of inoculated Salmonella from the shells of hatching eggs was enhanced by the partial removal of the eggshell cuticle, complete removal of albumen and yolk, or by inoculation through the shell. Other studies were conducted on methods to reduce the contamination of broiler litter by Salmonella by adding alum powder to recycled litter and providing broilers pro-biotics in the drinking water. Findings indicated that both methods could reduce the number of Salmonella recovered from the litter and from the ceca of broiler chickens. These finding will be useful in reducing colonization of live birds by harmful bacteria. Under Objective 4, studies were conducted to formulate a novel selective, bacteriological medium for growth of Campylobacter in containers incubated aerobically. Conclusions indicate that the ability of Campylobacter to grow in the primary containers was related to the ability of the containers to retain carbon dioxide produced by the media and the bacteria. Studies were conducted to formulate a new selective, bacteriological medium for growth of Campylobacter in containers incubated aerobically. Research highly indicated that selective antibiotics could allow Campylobacter to grow while inhibiting the growth of other bacteria in the media. Utilization of this medium will allow laboratories to simplify procedures for culturing Campylobacter. Additionally, work was conducted on determining the effect of acidic conditions on the injury and death of Salmonella. Depending on feed/ ingredient type, the pH of the pre-enrichment media can decrease during incubation to a pH of 4.0-5.0. These acidic conditions can kill, injure, or affect their biochemical pathways. Enrichment and plating media appear to influence the Salmonella serotypes recovered. Results showed that environmental stress made some Salmonella more susceptible to acidity, but other Salmonella became less susceptible. Progress was also made on the use of Clustered-Regularly-Interspaced-Short-Palindromic-Repeats (CRISPR) technology to detect broiler contamination by Salmonella. CRISPR detected significantly more types of Salmonella on the carcasses. These findings will provide new methods for growing and identifying major pathogens associated with poultry. Overall, progress on this project has produced new findings that may reduce the contamination of processed poultry meat and the colonization of live poultry by human foodborne pathogens; thereby, reducing the number of foodborne illnesses associated with the consumption. Record of Any Impact of Maximized Teleworking Requirement: The impact of Maximized Teleworking Requirement posture due to COVID-19 negatively impacted laboratory⿿s research and productivity. All planned animal experiments and laboratory analyses of samples for this research project were canceled. However, while under maximized Telework status we were able to continue planning and refining experimental protocols to be implemented once Phase 1 research activity is approved. ACCOMPLISHMENTS 01 Incubate Campylobacter on solid media under aerobic atmospheres. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, submitted and invention report for a system designed to incubate Campylobacter on solid media under aerobic atmospheres. Utilization of this system will eliminate the requirement to generate artificial atmospheres when isolating and growing Campylobacter on solid medium. The system will simplify the procedures for working with a major, foodborne pathogen associated with poultry products.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Leonie, J., Bourassa, D.V., Boyal, R.S., Harris, C.E., Bartenfeld Jossel, L.N., Campbell, A., Anderson, G., Buhr, R.J. 2020. Animal welfare assessment of on-farm euthanasia methods for individual, heavy turkeys. Poultry Science. 100:100812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.11.001.
- Bourassa, D.V., Harris, C.E., Bartenfeld Jossel, L.N., Buhr, R.J. 2020. Assessment of stabilized hydrogen peroxide for use in reducing Campylobacter levels and prevalence on broiler chicken wings. Journal of Food Protection. 84(3):449-455. https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-20-356.
- Melo, E., Mcelreath, J.S., Wilson, J.L., Lara, L.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Jordan, B.L. 2020. Effects of a dry hydrogen peroxide disinfection system used in an egg cooler on hatchability and chick quality. Poultry Science. 99:5487- 5490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.050.
- Mortada, M., Cosby, D.E., Akerele, G., Ramadan, N., Oxford, J., Shanmugasundaram, R., Ng, T., Selvaraj, R.K. 2021. Characterizing the immune response of chickens to Campylobacter jejuni (Strain A74C). PLoS ONE. 16(3):e0247080. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247080.
- Rasamsetti, S., Berrang, M.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Shariat, N. 2021. Selective pre-enrichment method to lessen time needed to recover Salmonella from commercial poultry processing samples. Food Microbiology. 99:e103818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2021.103818.
- Melo, E.F., Mcelreath, J.S., Wilson, J.L., Lara, L.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Jordan, B.L. 2020. Effects of a dry hydrogen peroxide disinfection system used in an egg cooler on hatchability and chick quality. Poultry Science. 99:5487-5490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2020.05.050.
- Ramirez, G., Richardson, E., Clark, J., Kishri, J., Dreschler, Y., Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Oakley, B. 2020. Broiler chickens and early life programming: Microbiome transplant-induced cecal community dynamics and phenotypic effects. PLoS ONE. 15(11). Article e0242108. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242108.
- Boyal, R.S., Buhr, R.J., Harris, C.E., Jacobs, L., Bourassa, D.V. 2020. Equipment and methods for poultry euthanasia by a single operator. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 29(4):1020-1032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. japr.2020.09.010.
- Tolorico, A.A., Bailey, M.A., Munoz, L.R., Chasteen, K.S., Pal, A., Krehling, J.T., Bourassa, D.V., Buhr, R.J., Macklin, K.S. 2021. The use of roller swabs for salmonella detection in poultry litter. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 30(3):100163-100169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. japr.2021.100163.
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Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1. Develop reliable and reproducible challenge models with Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in accurately developing, evaluating, and validating processes for reducing pathogen load using various chemical sanitizers. Objective 2. Develop, evaluate, and validate current and novel chemicals, operational protocols, and sampling methodologies used during poultry production and processing of broilers for the reduction and/or control of foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 2.1. Assess the ability of commercial and novel chemical sanitizers to reduce or eliminate Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Pseudomonas species from inoculated broiler carcasses and parts. Sub-objective 2.2. Examine the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers applied to carcasses before defeathering or before chilling to reduce contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter carcasses in postchill carcasses. Sub-objective 2.3. Formulate novel microbicidal surfactants from mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and organic acids (OA) to be used as sanitizers to significantly reduce microbial contamination during poultry processing. Objective 3. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact bird/egg contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Sub-objective 3.1. Assess the ability of chemical sanitizers to reduce contamination of inoculated, fertile eggs by Salmonella. Sub-objective 3.2. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact broiler contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Objective 4. Determine the extrinsic factors that impact the survival and attachment of microorganisms including evaluating media and growth factors. Develop and validate new improved technologies to isolate and propagate foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 4.1. Evaluate media and growth factors and use the findings to develop new, improved technologies for the isolation and propagation of Campylobacter. Sub-objective 4.2. Assess accuracy of current laboratory methods in recovering Salmonella from poultry, animal feeds, and dry environmental samples with fermentable substrates available and development of a more efficient pre-enrichment media. Approach (from AD-416): Poultry products contaminated by Salmonella and Campylobacter continue to be major sources of human foodborne illnesses. Live poultry are sporadically colonized by these pathogens, and the birds may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria without displaying any signs of illness or declines in performance. Cross contamination of carcasses during processing may spread the bacteria to poultry meat which may cause foodborne infections if the meat is not properly handled. Therefore, the primary goal of our research will be to develop novel interventions that may be used by commercial poultry producers and processors to reduce contamination of poultry by Salmonella, Campylobacter, and indicator microorganisms. Novel chemical sanitizers that may be used during processing to reduce carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens will be formulated or identified. Factors that enhance survival of these pathogens will be identified and used to formulate a novel bacteriological medium that will be utilized in research projects to determine the efficacy of currently available and newly developed interventions. The project outcomes will result in additional control measures that will reduce the levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler flocks and reduce contamination of processed carcasses by these pathogens. These outcomes will enable the poultry industry to achieve Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standard goals and to reduce the number of cases of human foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Research goals will be achieved by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge and skills of the scientists and other scientists who possess skills and resources required to successfully compete this project. Sub-Objective 2.1: Broilers can carry Campylobacter in their intestines during live-haul transport to the slaughter plant, and feces from Campylobacter positive birds will contaminate the floor surface of transport containers. Such contamination can be transferred to previously negative broilers when transported in unwashed containers. The use of water rinse, 15 seconds of steam, and a combination of water rinse followed by steam treatment were tested for lessening the numbers of coliforms, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter on squares of broiler transport flooring. Floor squares were covered with 1 g of fresh broiler intestinal contents and then subjected to the various treatments. Water rinse followed by steam heat was significantly (p<0.05) more effective than other treatments by lowering the numbers of all bacteria cultured by 99.99%. Although bacteria were not eliminated, it does show potential to lessen Campylobacter contamination in broiler transport containers. Sub-Objective 2.2: Broiler carcasses are often contaminated with various human enteropathogens, i.e., Salmonella and Campylobacter species. Removal of these and other pathogens in the processing plant has long been focused on the evisceration side of the plant with little or no strategies utilized on the slaughter side. With the help of industry, ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, have developed an improved wash cabinet for use before the scald tank to reduce the levels of bacteria on the carcass prior to entering the scald tank. In the pilot processing plant, using water at 450 PSI and 132 F has demonstrated a 2-3 log reduction in the numbers of total bacteria on the carcasses. This reduction in the total number of bacteria would reduce the bacterial load in the scald tanks and thus reduce carcass bacterial contamination. Sub-Objective 2.3: The ability of Campylobacter to grow in primary containers incubated aerobically or anaerobically was examined. Test media was placed in a flask and inoculated with Campylobacter. The flasks were either closed with plug-sealed caps, vented caps, or vented caps covered with Parafilm laboratory film. Flasks were incubated at 37C for 48 h in an aerobic or anaerobic atmosphere. After incubation, the number of cfu/ml of Campylobacter in the media was enumerated, and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the flasks was measured. Results indicated that the greatest increase in the number of Campylobacter was in the plug-sealed flasks or the parafilm-sealed flasks, while the smallest increase was in the vented flasks. The highest concentration of carbon dioxide was in the plugged flasks. Conclusions indicate that the ability of Campylobacter to grow in the primary containers was related to the ability of the containers to retain CO2 produced by the media and the bacteria. Utilization of this medium will allow laboratories to simplify procedures for culturing Campylobacter. Sub-objective 3.1: Salmonella Enteritidis and Campylobacter coli inoculation and recovery methods were developed for fertile hatching eggs as a potential model to study the vertical transmission (from hen to chick thru the egg) of these pathogens. The ideal inoculum levels for Salmonella is 1,000 and for Campylobacter is 100 cells/egg. The method was successful for the recovery of Salmonella and Campylobacter for both embryos and egg contents that were inoculated prior to incubation and then incubated for 5 days, but further research is needed to confirm if this is evidence of vertical transmission of the pathogen. Sub-Objective 4.2: Depending on feed/ingredient type, the pH of bacterial pre-enrichment media can decrease during incubation to a pH of 4.0-5.0. These acidic conditions can kill, injure, or affect bacterial biochemical pathways. Most strains of Salmonella produce hydrogen sulfide from thiosulfate and/or sulfide on selective media and, when combined with iron in the selective plating media, produce FeS (a black compound). On Xylose-Lysine-Tergitol-4 medium, typical Salmonella produce a black centered colony, but when acid stressed, they don⿿t have this typical appearance and go undetected as an atypical Salmonella isolate. Recovery and detection of Salmonella from feed/feed ingredients is challenging and current methods result in numerous false negative results and should be revisited to improve the rate of detection from feed samples. Two selective enrichment broths and two selective plating media were used for Salmonella recovery from naturally contaminated broiler chicken carcasses rinsates. From 11 of the 49 positive carcasses both plating media (Brilliant Green Sulfa and XLT-4) yielded the same Salmonella serotypes. However, on the other 38 positive samples, different Salmonella serotypes were found on the two plating media. Enrichment and plating media appear to influence the Salmonella serotypes recovered. Accomplishments 01 New camploybacter medium. As part of research to develop intervention strategies to reduce contamination of processed poultry meat by human, bacterial pathogens, ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, developed a new method to simplify culturing Campylobacter, a pathogenic bacteria in poultry that does not grow well in the presence of oxygen (aerobically). Researchers inserted Campylobacter-inoculated media in a series of flasks to simulate aerobic (vented cap) and anaerobic (plug- sealed cap or vented cap covered with Parafilm) conditions. The flasks were then incubated in either an aerobic or anaerobic atmosphere. Results indicated that the highest numbers of Campylobacter were recovered from both the plugged and vent covered with Parafilm while the highest concentrations of carbon dioxide were found in the plugged flask in either atmosphere. Conclusions indicate that the ability of Campylobacter to grow in the primary containers was related to the ability of the containers to retain Carbon dioxide released from the media or produced by the bacteria. Utilization of this method will simplify procedures for culturing Campylobacter since it will not be required to culture the bacteria in secondary containers with artificially produced microaerobic atmospheres.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Cox Jr, N.A., Berrang, M.E., House, S.L., Hinton Jr, A., Line, J.E., Wiggins, L.T. 2020. Detection of multiple naturally occurring Salmonella serotypes from commercial broiler carcasses with conventional methods. Journal of Food Safety. 40:e12761.
- Kumar, S., Sing, M., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Thippareddi, H. 2019. Efficacy of peroxy acetic acid in reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. populations on chicken breast fillets. Poultry Science. 99:2655⿿2661.
- Murtada, M., Cosby, D.E., Shanmugasundaram, R., Selvaraj, R. 2020. In vivo and in vitro assessment of commercial probiotic and organi acid feed additives in broilers challenged with Campylobacter coli. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. p. 1-12.
- Mclendon, B.L., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Montiel, E.R., Russell, S.M., Hofacre, C.L., Berrang, M.E., Wilson, J.L. 2020. Detection of salmonella in young chicks with cloacal swabs. Advanced Food and Nutritional Sciences. 5:1-6.
- Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Berrang, M.E., House, S.L., Line, J.E., Frye, J. G., Jackson, C.R., Hinton Jr, A. 2019. Comparison of two commercially available rapid detection methods and a conventional cultural method to detect naturally occurring salmonellae on broiler carcasses. Journal of Food Safety. 39:e12702.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Oladeinde, A.A., Cook, K.L., Zock, G.S., Berrang, M.E., Ritz, C.W., Hinton Jr, A. 2020. Research Note: Evaluation of several inoculation procedures for colonization of day-old broiler chicks with Salmonella Heidelberg. Poultry Science. 99(3):1615-1617.
- Landrum, M.A., Cox Jr, N.A., Wilson, J.L., Berrang, M.E., Gamble, G.R., Harrison, M.A., Fairchild, B.D., Kim, W.O., Hinton Jr, A. 2019. Reduction of campylobacter on poultry thighs using sequential treatments of antimicrobials. Advanced Food and Nutritional Sciences. 4:1-7.
- Huestis, D., Dao, A., Diallo, M., Sanogo, Z., Samake, D., Yaro, S.A., Ousman, Y., Linton, Y., Krishna, A., Veru, L., Krajacic, B., Faiman, R., Florio, J., Chapman, J., Reynolds, D., Weetman, D., Mitchell, R., Donnelly, M., Talamas, E., Chamorro, M.L., Strobach, U., Lehmann, T. 2019. Windborne long-distance migration of malaria mosquitoes in the Sahel. Nature. 28(4):6.
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1. Develop reliable and reproducible challenge models with Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in accurately developing, evaluating, and validating processes for reducing pathogen load using various chemical sanitizers. Objective 2. Develop, evaluate, and validate current and novel chemicals, operational protocols, and sampling methodologies used during poultry production and processing of broilers for the reduction and/or control of foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 2.1. Assess the ability of commercial and novel chemical sanitizers to reduce or eliminate Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Pseudomonas species from inoculated broiler carcasses and parts. Sub-objective 2.2. Examine the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers applied to carcasses before defeathering or before chilling to reduce contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter carcasses in postchill carcasses. Sub-objective 2.3. Formulate novel microbicidal surfactants from mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and organic acids (OA) to be used as sanitizers to significantly reduce microbial contamination during poultry processing. Objective 3. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact bird/egg contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Sub-objective 3.1. Assess the ability of chemical sanitizers to reduce contamination of inoculated, fertile eggs by Salmonella. Sub-objective 3.2. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact broiler contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Objective 4. Determine the extrinsic factors that impact the survival and attachment of microorganisms including evaluating media and growth factors. Develop and validate new improved technologies to isolate and propagate foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 4.1. Evaluate media and growth factors and use the findings to develop new, improved technologies for the isolation and propagation of Campylobacter. Sub-objective 4.2. Assess accuracy of current laboratory methods in recovering Salmonella from poultry, animal feeds, and dry environmental samples with fermentable substrates available and development of a more efficient pre-enrichment media. Approach (from AD-416): Poultry products contaminated by Salmonella and Campylobacter continue to be major sources of human foodborne illnesses. Live poultry are sporadically colonized by these pathogens, and the birds may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria without displaying any signs of illness or declines in performance. Cross contamination of carcasses during processing may spread the bacteria to poultry meat which may cause foodborne infections if the meat is not properly handled. Therefore, the primary goal of our research will be to develop novel interventions that may be used by commercial poultry producers and processors to reduce contamination of poultry by Salmonella, Campylobacter, and indicator microorganisms. Novel chemical sanitizers that may be used during processing to reduce carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens will be formulated or identified. Factors that enhance survival of these pathogens will be identified and used to formulate a novel bacteriological medium that will be utilized in research projects to determine the efficacy of currently available and newly developed interventions. The project outcomes will result in additional control measures that will reduce the levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler flocks and reduce contamination of processed carcasses by these pathogens. These outcomes will enable the poultry industry to achieve Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standard goals and to reduce the number of cases of human foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Research goals will be achieved by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge and skills of the scientists and other scientists who possess skills and resources required to successfully compete this project. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, continued to conduct research on new methods to reduce the contamination of processed poultry meat by human, bacterial pathogens. Studies were conducted on evaluating vegetable oils, such as olive, canola and corn oils as carriers to inoculate Salmonella onto feathered carcasses. The oils may aid in the attachment of pathogens to carcasses during challenge studies. Research was conducted on a new procedure utilizing antimicrobial broiler carcass washes to reduce Campylobacter contamination of processed poultry meat. Findings demonstrated that dipping poultry meat in antimicrobial chemical solutions in a specific, sequential order for 6 seconds each, produced significant reduction in contamination of the meat by this pathogen. Additional studies were conducted on the ability of carcass washing to reduce bacterial contamination of broiler carcasses between slaughter and evisceration operations in the pilot-plant poultry processing facility. These, studies indicated that washing the carcasses with water under high pressure could produce 1 to 2 log reductions in contamination by Campylobacter and other bacteria. Furthermore, in vitro studies were conducted to examine the antibacterial activity of medium-chained-fatty acids (MCFA) dissolved in amino acid solutions containing other compounds. Disc diffusion assays were conducted with the MCFA-amino acids and indicated that some of the mixtures could inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Studies were conducted to determine methods for increasing the recovery of Salmonella from eggs shells 1, 6, and 24 hours after inoculating. Recovery of the bacterium from eggs shells inoculated with the pathogen was enhanced by the partial removal of the eggshell cuticle (prior to inoculation), by complete removal of albumen and yolk (prior to inoculation), or by inoculation through the shell into the air cell (avoiding direct contact with the cuticle). Other studies were conducted on methods to reduce the contamination of broiler litter by Salmonella by adding alum powder to recycled litter and providing broilers pro-biotics in the drinking water. Findings indicated that both methods could reduce the number of Salmonella recovered from the litter and from the ceca of broiler chickens. Research was conducted on using a newly formulated medium containing pyruvate and carrageenan to grow Campylobacter in containers without the creating an artificial, microaerobic atmosphere. Progress was also made on the use of Clustered- Regularly-Interspaced-Short-Palindromic-Repeats (CRISPR) technology to detect broiler contamination by Salmonella. CRISPR detected significantly more types of Salmonella on the carcasses. Accomplishments 01 Exsanguination during euthanasia does not accelerate the time to death in broiler chickens. ARS Researchers in Athens, Georgia conducted research to determine if exsanguination during poultry processing would assist a more humane form of euthanasia. Results demonstrated that immediately disrupting blood flow in both carotid arteries in the neck did not accelerate the time to death, and thus would not improve animal welfare. These findings will impact slaughter procedure used by commercial poultry processors.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Jacobs, L., Bourassa, D.V., Harris, C.E., Buhr, R.J. 2019. Euthanasia: Manual versus mechanical cervical dislocation for broilers. Animals. 9:47.
- Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Thompson, T.M. 2018. Multi- locus sequence subtypes of Campylobacter detected on the surface and from internal tissue of retail chicken livers. Journal of Food Protection. 81(9) :1535-1539.
- Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A. 2017. Passage of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli subtypes through 0.45 and 0.65 µm pore size nitro-cellulose filters. Journal of Food Protection. 80(12) :2029-2032.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Thippareddi, H., Ritz, C.W., Berrang, M.E., Jackson, J.S., Mize, S.C., Kumar, S., Howard, A.K., Rincon, A.M., Ukidwe, M., Landrum, M., Frye, J.G., Plumblee Lawrence, J.R., Hiott, L.M., Jackson, C.R., Hinton Jr, A., Cook, K.L. 2018. Incidence, species and antimicrobial resistance of naturally occurring Campylobacter isolates from quail carcasses sampled in a commercial processing facility. Journal of Food Safety. 2018:38:e12438.
- Adhikari, P., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Franca, M.S., Williams, S.M., Gogal Jr, R.M., Ritz, C.W., Kim, W.K. 2018. Effect of dietary fructooligosaccharide supplementation on internal organs Salmonella colonization, immune response, ileal morphology and ileal immunohistochemistry in laying hens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis. Poultry Science. 97:2525-2533.
- Landrum, M.A., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Hinton Jr, A., Mize, S.C., Jackson, J.S. 2018. Reduction of Campylobacter on chicken livers using a low acid processing aid. Advanced Food and Nutritional Sciences. 3:1-6.
- Oladeinde, A., Cook, K.L., Orlek, A., Zock, G.S., Herrington, K., Plumblee Lawrence, J.R., Hall, M.C., Cox Jr, N.A. 2018. Hotspot mutations and ColE1 plasmids contribute to the fitness of Salmonella Heidelberg in poultry litter. PLoS One.
- Adhikari, P., Lee, C.H., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Kim, W.K. 2018. Effect of probiotics on fecal excretion, colonization of internal organs and immune gene expression in the ileum of laying hens challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis. Poultry Science. 97(1):2525-2533.
- Oakley, B., Calloway, K., Richardson, E., Meinersmann, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A., Berrang, M.E. 2018. Significant seasonal differences in the GI microbiome of commercial broiler chickens. Poultry Science. 97:3635-3644.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., McLendon, B.L., Wilson, J.L., Berrang, M.E., Hinton Jr, A. 2018. Persistence of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the ceca, spleen and liver/gallbladder of inoculated broilers. International Journal of Poultry Science. 17(8):374-377.
- Richardson, K.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Holcombe, N.L., Weller, C.E. 2019. Dry and heat stress affects H2S production of Salmonella on selective plating media. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. 54:313-316.
- Hinton Jr, A., Gamble, G.R., Berrang, M.E., Buhr, R.J., Johnston, J.J. 2019. Development of neutralizing buffered peptone water for salmonella verification testing in commercial poultry processing facilities. Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety, and Hygiene. 10:359.
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1. Develop reliable and reproducible challenge models with Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in accurately developing, evaluating, and validating processes for reducing pathogen load using various chemical sanitizers. Objective 2. Develop, evaluate, and validate current and novel chemicals, operational protocols, and sampling methodologies used during poultry production and processing of broilers for the reduction and/or control of foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 2.1. Assess the ability of commercial and novel chemical sanitizers to reduce or eliminate Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Pseudomonas species from inoculated broiler carcasses and parts. Sub-objective 2.2. Examine the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers applied to carcasses before defeathering or before chilling to reduce contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter carcasses in postchill carcasses. Sub-objective 2.3. Formulate novel microbicidal surfactants from mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and organic acids (OA) to be used as sanitizers to significantly reduce microbial contamination during poultry processing. Objective 3. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact bird/egg contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Sub-objective 3.1. Assess the ability of chemical sanitizers to reduce contamination of inoculated, fertile eggs by Salmonella. Sub-objective 3.2. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact broiler contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Objective 4. Determine the extrinsic factors that impact the survival and attachment of microorganisms including evaluating media and growth factors. Develop and validate new improved technologies to isolate and propagate foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 4.1. Evaluate media and growth factors and use the findings to develop new, improved technologies for the isolation and propagation of Campylobacter. Sub-objective 4.2. Assess accuracy of current laboratory methods in recovering Salmonella from poultry, animal feeds, and dry environmental samples with fermentable substrates available and development of a more efficient pre-enrichment media. Approach (from AD-416): Poultry products contaminated by Salmonella and Campylobacter continue to be major sources of human foodborne illnesses. Live poultry are sporadically colonized by these pathogens, and the birds may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria without displaying any signs of illness or declines in performance. Cross contamination of carcasses during processing may spread the bacteria to poultry meat which may cause foodborne infections if the meat is not properly handled. Therefore, the primary goal of our research will be to develop novel interventions that may be used by commercial poultry producers and processors to reduce contamination of poultry by Salmonella, Campylobacter, and indicator microorganisms. Novel chemical sanitizers that may be used during processing to reduce carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens will be formulated or identified. Factors that enhance survival of these pathogens will be identified and used to formulate a novel bacteriological medium that will be utilized in research projects to determine the efficacy of currently available and newly developed interventions. The project outcomes will result in additional control measures that will reduce the levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler flocks and reduce contamination of processed carcasses by these pathogens. These outcomes will enable the poultry industry to achieve Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standard goals and to reduce the number of cases of human foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Research goals will be achieved by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge and skills of the scientists and other scientists who possess skills and resources required to successfully compete this project. Progress has been made in evaluation of a calcium alginate suspension for attaching bacteria to the carcass skin. Other colloidal solutions for the application of bacteria the carcass skin are being evaluated. Progress has been made in the evaluation of one low acid processing aid, plus several other chemicals (bromine) and the enhanced effect of applying more than one chemical in a specific sequence on the reduction of Campylobacter inoculated onto the breast skin and thigh skin of carcasses and parts. Progress has been made in the evaluation of fluidic nozzles and high pressure on the removal of the bacterial load from broiler carcasses with ambient temperature water. The recovery of inoculated Salmonella from the shells of broiler hatching eggs was enhanced with the partial removal of the eggshell cuticle, complete removal of albumen and yolk, or by inoculation through the shell into the air cell. However, after holding inoculated eggs for 24 hours at room temperature, Salmonella could no longer be recovered. The addition of cetylpyridinium chloride, sodium bisulfate, nor hydrogen peroxide acidified to pH 5 to the drinking water for broilers prior to and during feed and water withdrawal prior to processing had no impact on Salmonella recovery from the broiler�s crop or ceca during or after feed withdrawal. Studies were conducted to formulate a novel selective, bacteriological medium for growth of Campylobacter in containers incubated aerobically. Progress includes work aimed at determining the effect of acidic conditions on the injury and death of Salmonella. Salmonella strains stressed with drying and heat are different from unstressed cultures. Stress made S. Typhimurium (ST) and S. Enteritidis (SE) more susceptible to acidity and S. Senftenberg (SS) less susceptible. Interestingly, ST and SE are not usually found in feed but SS is. Accomplishments 01 Novel selective medium formulated to isolate Campylobacter from mixed cultures. ARS researchers at Athens, Georgia, formulated a new selective, medium that could be used in the aerobic isolation of Campylobacter from samples that also contained other bacteria. Three antibiotic mixtures were tested as supplements that could be added to the medium to allow the growth of Campylobacter while inhibiting the growth of other bacteria. Results of these experiments indicated that while the other bacteria could grow in media that contained no antibiotics, the growth of most of these bacteria was inhibited in the media supplemented with antibiotics. It was also determined that when Campylobacter was grown in cultures containing other bacteria, Campylobacter could outgrow the other bacteria in the media supplemented with the Bolton antibiotics, but not in the non- supplemented medium. These experiments show that supplementing the new medium with Bolton�s antibiotic produces a selective medium that could be used with aerobic incubation to isolate Campylobacter from samples containing other bacteria. 02 The time of day that poultry house litter is sampled does not impact the predicted Salmonella or Campylobacter status of the flock. ARS researchers at Athens, Georgia, demonstrated that the time of day that litter stepped-on-drag-swabs are collected from feed restricted pullet breeder pens did not alter Salmonella or Campylobacter recovery from the litter. Litter sampled at various times of the day were all 100% positive for Salmonella in 9, 11, and 17 week old birds; and litter sampled for Campylobacter at 17 and 18 week old birds were also 100% positive when samples at various times. The feces and litter contain Salmonella and Campylobacter at levels sufficient to be recovered from the pen litter prior to the chickens being fed, and also at 3 or 6 hours after feeding on the same day. These results indicate that once Salmonella or Campylobacter colonized the intestinal tract, Salmonella and Campylobacter are shed from the intestinal tract at levels recoverable from the litter at various sampling times.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Buhr, R.J., Bourassa, D.V., Hinton Jr, A., Fairchild, B.D., Ritz, C.W. 2017. Impact of litter salmonella status during feed withdrawal on salmonella recovery from the broiler crop and ceca. Poultry Science. 96:(12)4361-4369. doi.org10.3382/ps/pex231.
- Bourassa, D.V., Wilson, K.M., Ritz, C.W., Kiepper, B.K., Buhr, R.J. 2017. Evaluation of the addition of organic acids in the feed and/or water for broilers and the subsequent recovery of salmonella typhimurium from litter and ceca. Poultry Science. 97:(1)64-73. doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex289.
- Hinton Jr, A., Cox Jr, N.A. 2018. Selective medium for aerobic incubation of Campylobacter. Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety, and Hygiene. 3(1) :1-6.
- Adhikari, P., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Lee, J.H., Kim, W.K. 2017. Effect of dietary bacteriophage supplementation in internal organs, fecal excretion and ileal immune response in laying hens challenged with salmonella enteritidis. Poultry Science. 96(9):3264-3271. doi: 10.3382/ps/ pex109.
- Richardson, K.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E. 2018. Impact of desiccation and heat exposure stress on Salmonella tolerance to acidic conditions. Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part B, 53:2:141- 144. 10.1080/03601234.2017.1397467.
- Berrang, M.E., Gamble, G.R., Hinton Jr, A., Johnson, J. 2018. Neutralization of residual antimicrobial processing chemicals in broiler carcass rinse for improved detection of Campylobacter. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. doi:10.3382/japr/pfx071.
- Yeh, H., Line, J.E., Hinton Jr, A. 2018. Molecular analysis, biochemical characterization, antimicrobial activity and immunological analysis of proteus mirabilis isolated from broilers. Journal of Food Science. 83(3) :770-770. 10.1111/1750-3841.14056.
- Wilson, K.M., Bourassa, D.V., Mclendon, B.L., Wilson, J., Buhr, R.J. 2018. Impact of skip-a-day and every-day feeding programs on the recovery of salmonella and campylobacter following in broiler breeder pullets. Poultry Science. 97(7):2775-2784. doi.org/10.3382/ps/pey150.
- Bourassa, D.V., Wilson, K.M., Czarick, M., Buhr, R.J. 2018. Microbiological status of broiler respiratory tracts before and during catching for transport to the processing plant. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. doi.org/10.3382/japr/pfy029.
- Mclendon, B.L., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Montiel, E.R., Russell, S.M., Hofacre, C.L., Landrum, M.A., Jackson, J.S., Wilson, J.L. 2018. Detecting campylobacter coli in young chicks using two different cloacal swab techniques. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 27(2):223-227. doi.org/10. 3382/japr/pfx061.
- Liu, J.D., Bayir, H.O., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Williams, S.M., Fowler, J. 2017. Evaluation of encapsulated sodium butyrate on growth performance, energy digestibility, gut development and Salmonella effect in broilers. Poultry Science. 96(10):3638-3644. doi.org/10.3382/ps/pex174.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Richardson, K.E., Holcombe, N., Weller, C. 2017. The effect of environmental poultry samples on the pH of typical salmonella pre-enrichment and enrichment media following incubation. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 27(1):112-115. doi.org/10. 3382/japr/pfx056.
- Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Harrison, M.A., Berrang, M.E., Wilson, J.L. 2018. Colonization of day-old broilers with gentamicin resistant Campylobacter coli following challenge via different inoculation routes. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Research. 4(7):1096.
- Adhikari, P., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Kim, W.K. 2017. Effect of dietary supplementation of nitrocompounds on salmonella colonization and ileal immune gene expression in laying hens challenged with salmonella enteritidis. Poultry Science. 92(12):4280-4286. doi.org/10:3382/ps/pex109.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1. Develop reliable and reproducible challenge models with Salmonella and Campylobacter for use in accurately developing, evaluating, and validating processes for reducing pathogen load using various chemical sanitizers. Objective 2. Develop, evaluate, and validate current and novel chemicals, operational protocols, and sampling methodologies used during poultry production and processing of broilers for the reduction and/or control of foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 2.1. Assess the ability of commercial and novel chemical sanitizers to reduce or eliminate Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Pseudomonas species from inoculated broiler carcasses and parts. Sub-objective 2.2. Examine the effectiveness of chemical sanitizers applied to carcasses before defeathering or before chilling to reduce contamination by Salmonella and Campylobacter carcasses in postchill carcasses. Sub-objective 2.3. Formulate novel microbicidal surfactants from mixtures of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) and organic acids (OA) to be used as sanitizers to significantly reduce microbial contamination during poultry processing. Objective 3. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact bird/egg contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Sub-objective 3.1. Assess the ability of chemical sanitizers to reduce contamination of inoculated, fertile eggs by Salmonella. Sub-objective 3.2. Identify and evaluate risk factors in the production, management, transportation, or processing that impact broiler contamination with foodborne pathogens and develop intervention strategies to control pathogens in the absence of antibiotics. Objective 4. Determine the extrinsic factors that impact the survival and attachment of microorganisms including evaluating media and growth factors. Develop and validate new improved technologies to isolate and propagate foodborne pathogens. Sub-objective 4.1. Evaluate media and growth factors and use the findings to develop new, improved technologies for the isolation and propagation of Campylobacter. Sub-objective 4.2. Assess accuracy of current laboratory methods in recovering Salmonella from poultry, animal feeds, and dry environmental samples with fermentable substrates available and development of a more efficient pre-enrichment media. Approach (from AD-416): Poultry products contaminated by Salmonella and Campylobacter continue to be major sources of human foodborne illnesses. Live poultry are sporadically colonized by these pathogens, and the birds may serve as reservoirs for the bacteria without displaying any signs of illness or declines in performance. Cross contamination of carcasses during processing may spread the bacteria to poultry meat which may cause foodborne infections if the meat is not properly handled. Therefore, the primary goal of our research will be to develop novel interventions that may be used by commercial poultry producers and processors to reduce contamination of poultry by Salmonella, Campylobacter, and indicator microorganisms. Novel chemical sanitizers that may be used during processing to reduce carcass contamination by foodborne pathogens will be formulated or identified. Factors that enhance survival of these pathogens will be identified and used to formulate a novel bacteriological medium that will be utilized in research projects to determine the efficacy of currently available and newly developed interventions. The project outcomes will result in additional control measures that will reduce the levels of Salmonella and Campylobacter in broiler flocks and reduce contamination of processed carcasses by these pathogens. These outcomes will enable the poultry industry to achieve Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standard goals and to reduce the number of cases of human foodborne illness associated with contaminated poultry products. Research goals will be achieved by utilizing an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates knowledge and skills of the scientists and other scientists who possess skills and resources required to successfully compete this project. Also, the effect of acidic conditions on the injury and death of Salmonella was determined. Additionally, researchers collaborated with the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to develop a neutralizing solution for use in Salmonella verification testing in commercial poultry processing facilities. The neutralizer is now being utilized in testing in commercial processing facilities. Under Objective 3, the potential impact of adding cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as a preharvest Salmonella intervention during preslaughter feed withdrawal was evaluated and water and feed consumption monitored. Broilers were challenged with Salmonella and provided water containing CPC or tap water. After feed withdrawal or full-fed there were no significant differences in Salmonella recovery from the crop or ceca between the CPC treatment and control groups, or among the feed and water withdrawal time periods. Trials revealed that water usage and feed consumption of broilers provided varied CPC concentrations was decreased compared to the control value and that the addition of hydrogen peroxide did not improve water or feed consumption. Additionally, under Objective 3, sampling commercial broiler flocks the week prior, the day prior, and the day of catching for transport to the processing plant revealed that initial cecal sampling results fail to predict Salmonella prevalence following feed withdrawal. Respiratory tracts are not significantly increased in contaminated with Salmonella, aerobic, or Enterobacter bacteria following raising the feeders and water lines and catching one truck load of broilers. Under Objective 4, studies were conducted to formulate a novel selective, bacteriological medium for growth of Campylobacter in containers incubated aerobically. Accomplishments 01 Novel selective, bacteriological medium formulated to support growth of Campylobacter. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, formulated a new, selective bacterial medium that allows scientists and technicians to grow Campylobacter in containers incubated aerobically. Campylobacter is a major, bacterial foodborne pathogen associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry products and other foods. However, research on the bacterium is limited because the pathogen must be grown under artificial atmospheres on media supplemented with blood. The new medium does not require the utilization of artificial atmospheres or blood. Furthermore, the addition of selective agents to the medium enables researchers to isolate the bacterium from environmental samples that contain other microorganisms. The novel medium will simplify procedures and reduce costs required to grow the pathogen; thereby, increasing the number of laboratories able to conduct research on this bacterium. 02 Isolation and identification of amylase-producing, endospore-forming bacteria for use in defined probiotic cultures. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, isolated amylase-producing, endospore-forming bacteria from the intestinal tract of commercially processed broiler carcasses. Probiotics are cultures of beneficial bacteria that are provided to live poultry to reduce the colonization of the birds by foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella. Including bacteria that produce the enzyme, amylase, in probiotic cultures might improve the efficacy of these products because amylase can breakdown starch in poultry feed to produce simple sugars that can be used by other beneficial bacteria. The amylase-producing bacteria were identified because regulatory agencies only approve the use of probiotics of known bacterial composition. More effective probiotics will reduce the number of human pathogens carried by live poultry; thereby, reducing the number of illnesses associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry. 03 Development of neutralizing Buffered Peptone Water (nBPW) to inactivate chemical sanitizers in Salmonella verification studies. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, collaborated with the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to develop a neutralization solution (nBPW) for use by commercial poultry processors in Salmonella verification testing. Commercial poultry processors use chemical sanitizers during processing to reduce contamination of carcasses by human foodborne pathogens. However, if traces of these sanitizers are carried-over into testing samples used to determine contamination of poultry carcasses and parts by Salmonella, the results of these tests may be inaccurate. The utilization of the nBPW improves the accuracy of Salmonella verification testing by inactivating trace-amounts of the sanitizers in the test samples. On July 1, 2016, the FSIS informed inspectors in commercial poultry processing facilities that nBPW should be used in all verification testing, and the FSIS is currently seeking a commercial vendor to produce nBPW. The utilization of nBPW will improve the accuracy of verification testing and will provide regulatory agencies and food safety researchers with reliable data to develop methods to reduce contamination of processed poultry by foodborne pathogens. 04 Broiler cecal and respiratory tracks Salmonella. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, sampled commercial broilers the week prior or the day prior to catching for transport to the processing plant and revealed that initial cecal sampling results fail to accurately predict Salmonella prevalence following feed withdrawal. Respiratory tracts are not significantly contaminated with Salmonella, aerobic, or Enterobacter bacteria following house preparation and catching. These results further complicate the practical implication of logistic slaughter by attempting to process negative and false negative flocks first each processing day. 05 Electrically stunning shackled broilers. ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, in 2016 demonstrated that electrically stunning shackled broilers using a combination of pulsed DC (salt-water bath for 10 seconds) followed by the application of AC (contact plate for 5 seconds) confirmed 100% efficacy in induction of a non-recoverable stun-to- death. In 2017 ARS researchers in Athens, Georgia, sampled and confirmed that there were no significant differences for broiler whole carcasses (hemorrhages, red wing tips, broken clavicles) and breast or leg meat quality characteristics (meat pH, cook loss, redness and yellowness color values, and instrumental tenderness) between control and the stun-to-death treatment groups (DC+AC combination stunning). These data indicate that these stunning parameters combining DC and AC stunning should be viable protocols when a stun-to-death is desired. Commercial processing plants can utilize this combined DC+AC stun for any customers that may require assurance of an irreversible electrical stun at slaughter.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Hinton Jr, A. 2017. Formulating poultry processing sanitizers from alkaline salts of fatty acids. Journal of Food: Microbiology, Safety, and Hygiene. 1(3):116-117.
- Bourassa, D.V., Wilson, K.M., Bartenfeld, L.N., Harris, C.E., Howard, A.K., Ingram, K.D., Hinton Jr, A., Adams, E.S., Berrang, M.E., Feldner, P.W., Gamble, G.R., Frye, J.G., Jackson, C.R., Johnston, J.J., Buhr, R.J. 2017. Surface water accumulation and subsquent drip loss for processed broiler carcasses subjected to a post-chill water dip or spray. Poultry Science. 96(1):241-245.
- Crespo, M.D., Kathariou, S., Grimes, J.L., Cox Jr., N.A., Buhr, R.J., Frye, J.G., Miller, W.G., Jackson, C.R., Smith, D.P. 2016. Routes of transmission of Salmonella and Campylobacter in breeder turkeys. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 25(4):591-609.
- Bourassa, D.V., Kannenberg, E.L., Sherrier, D.J., Buhr, R.J., Carlson, R. 2017. The lipopolysaccharide lipid-a long chain fatty acid is important for rhizobium leguminosarum growth and stress adaptation in free-living and nodule environments. Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions. 30(2):161- 175.
- Gamble, G.R., Berrang, M.E., Buhr, R.J., Hinton Jr, A., Bourassa, D.V., Johnston, J.J., Ingram, K.D., Adams, E.S., Feldner, P.W. 2017. Neutralization of bactericidal activity related to antimicrobial carry- over in broiler carcass rinse samples. Journal of Food Protection. 80(4) :685-591.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, K., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Cason, J., Rigsby, L.L., Holcom, N., Derome, L. 2016. Injury and death of various Salmonella serotypes due to acidic conditions. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 25(1):62-66.
- Landrum, M.A., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Russell, S.M. 2016. Treatment with a low pH processing aid to reduce campylobacter counts on broiler parts. Poultry Science. 96:1028-1031.
- Adhikari, P., Cosby, D.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Kim, W.K. 2017. Colonization of mature laying hens with salmonella enteritidis by oral or intracloacal inoculation. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 26(2):286-294. doi.10. 3382/japr/pfw072.
- Berrang, M.E., Cox Jr, N.A., Cosby, D.E., Frye, J.G., Jackson, C.R. 2016. Detection of Salmonella serotypes by overnight incubation of entire broiler carcass. Journal of Food Safety. doi: 10.1111/jfs.12298.
- Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Ladely, S.R., Cox Jr, N.A. 2017. Campylobacter detection in broiler ceca at processing - a three year 211 flock survey. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 26:154-158.
- Cox Jr, N.A., Richardson, L., Cosby, D.E., Berrang, M.E., Wilson, J.L., Harrison, M.A. 2016. A four-quadrant sequential streak technique to evaluate Campylobacter selective broths for suppressing background flora in broiler carcass rinses. Journal of Food Safety. doi:10.1111/jsf.12311.
- Ladely, S., Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Cox Jr, N.A. 2017. Campylobacter multi-locus sequence types and antimicrobial susceptibility of broiler cecal isolates: a two year study of 143 commercial flocks. Journal of Food Safety. doi:10.1111/jfs.12366.
- Bourassa, D.V., Bowker, B.C., Zhuang, H., Wilson, K.M., Harris, C.E., Buhr, R.J. 2017. Impact of alternative electrical stunning parameters on the ability of broilers to recover consciousness and meat quality. Poultry Science. 96(9):3495-3501. doi:10.3382/ps/pex120.
- Berrang, M.E., Ladely, S.R., Meinersmann, R.J., Line, J.E., Oakley, B., Cox Jr, N.A. 2016. Variation in Campylobacter multilocus sequence subtypes from chickens as detected on three plating media. Journal of Food Protection. 79(11):1986-1989.
- Zhuang, H., Bowker, B.C., Berrang, M.E., Meinersmann, R.J., Buhr, R.J. 2017. Impact of eliminating the carcass chilling step in the production of pre-cooked chicken breast meat. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 26(3) :431-436.
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