Superficial Bacterial Contamination of Bovine Carcasses at Blida Slaughterhouse (Algeria)

摘要

The purpose of our work is to evaluate the superficial bacteriological quality of bovine carcasses at Blida slaughterhouse; quantitatively, by counting the total coliforms, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli counts, and qualitatively by the research for Salmonella spp. at three (3) different bovine carcasses sites. Thirty (30) carcasses have been sampled just after evisceration by swabbing method on a surface of 196 cm2 making use of house pads. The results of bacterial counts have revealed the absence of Salmonella in the 90 analyzed samples. As for the total coliforms, fecal coliforms and E. coli, the registered bacterial loads reached 2.59±0,29 log cfu/cm2, 1.53±0,20 log cfu/cm2 and 0.49±0,11 log cfu/cm2 respectively. Among the tested sites, the neck is the most contaminated. Ranking the thirty carcasses according to their bacteriological qualities showed that 12 carcasses (40%) had a satisfactory quality, 08 carcasses (26.67%) have been acceptable and 10 carcasses (33.33%) were of unsatisfactory quality. Our results reflect poor conditions of slaughtering and handling of carcasses, wherefrom the hygiene deficiencies at Blida slaughterhouse.