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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145919
Title: AIRBORNE MICROORGANISMS IN SHELL EGG PROCESSING FACILITIES

Author
item Northcutt, Julie
item Jones, Deana
item Ingram, Kimberly
item Hinton Jr, Arthur

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/20/2003
Publication Date: 7/7/2003
Citation: Northcutt, J.K., Jones, D.R., Ingram, K.D., Hinton Jr, A. 2003. Airborne microorganisms in shell egg processing facilities [abstract]. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract. 82(suppl.1):54.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Total aerobic bacteria, molds/yeasts, coliforms and pseudomonads were determined in the air of three shell egg processing facilities (in-line, off-line and mixed operations) using MicroBio MB2 Air Samplers. Sites were sampled from each facility on three different days (replication) during the same week. Four air samples (1000 L each) were drawn from each sampling site on a given day. Sampling sites, if applicable, included areas in or near the following locations: layer house (in-line and mixed operations), farm transition room (in-line and mixed operations), washers, dryer, packer heads, post-processing cooler, nest-run cooler (off-line and mixed operations), loading dock and dry storage. Type of facility (in-line, off-line or mixed), sampling site and the interaction between facility and site had a significant effect on the number of total aerobic bacteria, molds/yeasts, coliforms and pseudomonads recovered (P < 0.05). Highest counts for total aerobic bacteria (5.9 log10 cfu/mL air), molds/yeasts (4.0 log10 cfu/mL air), coliforms (2.5 log10 cfu/mL air) and pseudomonads (3.2 log10 cfu/mL air) were found in the layer house. Lowest counts for total aerobic bacteria (1.25 log10 cfu/mL air) and molds/yeast (2.5 log10 cfu/mL air) were found in the coolers and off-line coolers, respectively. Few samples in the post-processing coolers, nest-run coolers, loading docks and dry storage areas tested positive for coliforms (0/36, 2/24, 1/36, and 0/36, respectively) and pseudomonads (1/36, 2/24, 5/36, and 6/36, respectively). Data gathered during this study may be useful in identifying the sources and levels of airborne contaminates in commercial shell egg processing facilities. Key works: shell eggs, airborne, bioaerosols, microorganisms