Microbial Evaluation of Different Cleaning Techniques on Meat Contact Surfaces in an Abattoir in Akure, Nigeria

• O.O. Adekolurejo

  Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• G.T. Osho

  Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

• A. Bakare

  Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

  Author

The microbial status of meat contact surfaces used in sales of meat in an abattoir in Akure town was evaluated based on three cleaning techniques: ordinary water, ordinary water and detergent and hot water and detergent. Four meat tables were randomly selected and 1cm2 swab was taken from the four edges before sales (B), during sales (D) and after sales (A) of meat using a sterile swab stick. Twenty-four swab samples was collected and evaluated using conventional methods for isolation, identification and antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms. The results showed that the mean microbial loads from the different cleaning techniques are significantly different from one another with the bacterial load ranging from 149.25±14.26 to 0.94±0.05 x104 CFU/cm2. Nine organisms were identified, of which Pseudomonas aureginosa, Serratia marcesces, Samonella spp were 90%, 80% and 70% resistant to different antibiotics tested for respectively. In conclusion, hot water with detergent was the most effective of the three cleaning techniques employed. Hence, a high level of hygiene should be given to meat contact surfaces and the sales of meat be carried out in a screened environment to avoid recontamination of meat contact surfaces and meat via persistent and resistant microorganisms in the environment.

1. O.O. Adekolurejo, Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

2. G.T. Osho, Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

3. A. Bakare, Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

   Department of Animal Production and Health, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

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