APPLICABILITY OF SURFACE-CONTACT METHOD F R THE EVALUATION OF BACTERIAL COUNT ON CARCASS SURFACES - EVALUATION OF MESOPHILIC TOTAL COUNT AND NUMBER OF COLIFORMS USING SURFACE COUNT METHOD AND INVASIVE SAMPLING

290 carcass-samples have been taken and the aerobic mesophilic total c ount and the number of coliforms were evaluated. The results of the pl ate count method (= reference method) were compared with the results o f two different surface contact systems. It refers to Hygiene-monitor( R) Paddels of Messrs. Hy-Lab(R) and Rodac-plates. Regarding the growth -characteristics and the number of proved bacteria there are no essent ial differences between the two surface contact methods. Compared with the reference method both proved between 0,01 and 1,5% of bacteria at same strewing. But there are differences in regard to the practicabil ity. Due to the inaccuracies depending on the method, surface contact systems can not be recommended to replace the reference method for ind ividual tests. For orientation they seem, however, to be suitable for use during continuously effected test-programs.