Efficacy of the FreshLightReg. 220 ultraviolet light system for control and elimination of naturally occurring microflora and Listeria innocua in a formulated poultry marinade (flow rate = 40 GPM and turnover time 1 = minute).

摘要

Due to the recirculation process used in poultry injection procedures, the potential hazard of a buildup of naturally occurring organisms and potential pathogens in recirculated marinade poses a concern to the poultry industry. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the possibility of alleviating the problem. A typical poultry marinade (40 gallons) was formulated in a laboratory in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions using chicken powder, sodium chloride and sodium phosphate dissolved in potable water. A sample of the marinade solution was collected and microbiologically evaluated using aerobic plate count PetrifilmTM3 to determine an initial bacterial count. The marinade solution was then allowed to circulate in a FreshLightReg. 220 UV light system (Safe Foods Corporation, USA) for 1 min (flow rate = 40 gallons/min and solution turnover time = 1 min) to determine microbial reductions in the naturally occurring microflora. The initial microbial count of the marinade was 3.6 logs/ml (cfu). After 1 min of UV light treatment, the level of naturally occurring microflora was reduced to 1 log representing a 99.7% reduction. The marinade solution was then inoculated with an overnight culture of Listeria innocua to achieve a total level of bacteria in the marinade of 5.0 logs/ml. The inoculated marinade was then treated with the FreshLight 220 UV light system for 30 min. A sample of the marinade solution was collected every min during the 30 min test period and was plated on aerobic plate count PetrifilmTM3 to determine bacterial reductions over time. After only 1 min (1 pass through the system), the total level of organisms in the marinade solution was reduced by 1.5 logs, after 5 min (5 passes) by >3 logs, and by 9 min (9 passes) by >4 logs indicating no recovery of organisms (the lower detection level was 1 log/ml). There was no recovery of organisms at any further treatment time. Thus, in <10 min of UV light treatment, the FreshLight 220 UV light system was capable of achieving a 4 log reduction in total organisms (primarily L. innocua) in the poultry marinade solution. This represents a 99.99% reduction. It is suggested that the commercially available FreshLight 220 UV light system (FDA regulated under 21 CFR 179.39) may provide processors with a cost effective means of controlling and eliminating the incidence and levels of L. innocua in poultry marinades.