Efficacy of an herbal extract on the microbiological quality of broiler carcasses during a simulated chill

Protecta II, an herbal extract on an NaCl carrier, was evaluated in a 30-mi n, 1 C simulated chill for its effectiveness of lowering microbial counts o n broiler carcasses. Eighteen broiler carcasses were obtained from a local processing plant after final wash but before chill, placed into an insulate d container, and transported to the research facility for treatment. Six pl ant run controls (PRC) were immediately bagged on return to the pilot plant , and a whole-carcass rinse was performed. The remaining carcasses were sub jected to a 30-min chill (1 C) in tap water or a 2% solution of Protecta II , (n = 6 per treatment). After treatment, carcasses were rinsed with tap wa ter and subjected to the whole-carcass rinse procedure. All rinse diluents were microbiologically analyzed for total aerobes, coliforms, generic Esche richia coil, and Campylobacter. Six replications were analyzed on 6 differe nt d for a total 36 carcasses per treatment and 36 PRC. The PRC carcasses h ad 3.7, 2.5, 2.1, and 2.0 log(10) cfu/mL for total aerobes, coliforms, gene ric E. coli, and Campylobacter. Water treatment significantly reduced count s (2.6, 1.4, 0.7, and 0.9 log(10) cfu/mL, respectively) when compared with the PRC. Protecta II treatment significantly reduced counts (P < 0.01) even further to counts of 0.06, 0.04, 0.01, and 0.00 log(10) cfu/mL for total a erobes, coliforms, Campylobacter, and E, coli, respectively. Detectable lev els of the monitored organisms were 1 cell/mL (log(10) 0) for the E coli, c oliforms, and total counts and 10 cells/mL (log(10) 1) for the Campylobacte r. Microbial counts for carcasses treated with Protecta II would be conside red too low to be detected (<1 cell/mL).