ADENOSINE-TRIPHOSPHATE BIOLUMINESCENCE AS A METHOD TO DETERMINE MICROBIAL LEVELS IN SCALD AND CHILL TANKS AT A POULTRY ABATTOIR

According to Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) progra ms developed for the poultry industry, poultry processing waters shoul d be actively monitored to minimize cross-contamination between chicke n carcasses. In order to monitor HACCP programs, a test is required th at provides results on a real time basis. A modified adenosine triphos phate (ATP) bioluminescence test has been developed that can assess mi crobial levels in poultry processing waters within 15 min. A study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of this test for examining s cald, prechill, and chill tank waters. The results showed that the mod ified ATP bioluminescence method gave results comparable to plate coun ts. The microbial levels were dependent on the tank and the time of sa mpling. The highest microbial levels were detected in the scald tank. In all three tanks, the microbial levels increased over time during th e day.