This experimental study aimed to investigate the anti-microbial effect of
some organic acids (OA) represented by Acetic and Lactic acids of (1 and
2%), and assess its reflection on the microbiological quality of dressed
cattle carcasses slaughtered in Damietta city abattoirs. Samples were
grouped according the concentration of the used acid to five groups, where
each group consisted of five carcasses. Acids were applied as nozzle sprays
over the external surface of the carcasses and kept for 20 minutes before
swab sampling. Swabs were examined for aerobic plate count (APC),
Enterobacteriacae count (EC), Coliform count (CC), Staphylococcus count
(SC), mould and yeast counts before and after spraying. Results revealed
significant reductions of the assessed microbial counts in both lactic and
acetic acids of both concentrations, except fungal counts which revealed
insignificant reductions for both acids. Moreover, Gram negative bacteria
(Enterobacteriacae) which showed greater sensitivity to the used organic
acids than Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus), where greater
concentration gave greater reduction in the bacterial counts. Moreover,
spray wash of lactic acid resulted in higher reduction of bacterial counts on
meat surface than acetic acid. From the obtained results, organic acids
showed safe, simple, efficient, cheap, and highly effective modality of meat
decontamination, on addition, application of lactic acid 2.0% spray showed
higher anti-bacterial effect, therefore, it is recommended to improve safety
of sheep carcasses for industrial scales |
