Microbiological sampling of carcasses by excision or swabbing with three types of sponge or gauze.

The research involved testing and comparing two microbiological sampling approaches: excision and swabbing. The study used four types of swabbing materials, and was conducted on four different carcass types in a slaughterhouse setting to examine the presence of bacteria.

Methodology

• The study was conducted in a slaughterhouse in eastern Spain where carcasses of bovines, equines, ovines, and porcines were sampled for microbiological testing.
• The sampling was done using two techniques: excision and swabbing. Excision involves cutting out a piece of the carcass while swabbing involves rubbing a sponge or material over a particular area of the carcass.
• The researchers used four different materials for swabbing: cellulose, polyurethane, viscose sponges, and medical gauze. Two samples were collected from each carcass using both methods.
• The collected samples were then examined for total viable bacteria counts (TVCs) and Enterobacteriaceae counts (ECs).

Results

• The findings showed that the excision method yielded a higher TVC, in comparison to swabbing – significantly revealing a higher quantity of bacteria.
• The TVC from samples taken using gauze, cellulose, and polyurethane sponges showed to be significantly higher than those obtained using viscose sponges.
• Notably, the type of animal species, the individuals who collected the samples, and the microbiological load on the carcass also had a significant impact on TVC.
• Enterobacteriaceae was found in higher percentages in the samples taken through excision and in the swabs collected using cellulose or polyurethane sponges or gauze. However, it was found in smaller percentages in samples swabbed with viscose sponges.
• The load of Enterobacteriaceae significantly influenced the EC, while the animal species and the individual collecting the samples did not.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that swabbing – specifically, when utilizing cellulose sponges, polyurethane sponges, and gauze – generated high mean log counts of aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae, effectively making these materials suitable for monitoring hygiene at slaughterhouses.