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Title: AIRBORNE MICROORGANISMS DURING THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING OF JAPANESE QUAIL

Author
item Northcutt, Julie
item Musgrove, Michael
item Jones, Deana

Submitted to: Poultry Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2003
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Northcutt, J.K., Musgrove, M.T., Jones, D.R. 2004. Airborne microorganisms during the commercial production and processing of Japanese quail. [abstract] Poultry Science. p. 52.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Airborne microorganisms (total aerobic bacteria, molds/yeasts, Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli) were evaluated during the commercial production and processing of Japanese quail using MicroBio MB2 air samplers. Production-related sampling sites included the breeder and grow-out houses along with the hatchery setter, hatcher, egg room, and chick room. Processing-related sampling sites included the hanging/stunning area, scalding/defeathering room, evisceration line, chiller exit, further processing area and shipping room (total of 12 sampling sites). Sampling site had a significant effect on the log counts for total aerobic bacteria, molds/yeasts, and Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli (P < 0.0001). During production, highest counts for total aerobic bacteria (8.1 log10 cfu/mL air), molds/yeasts (3.6 log10 cfu/mL air), Enterobacteriaceae (2.3 log10 cfu/mL air) and E. coli (1.9 log10 cfu/mL air) occurred in the grow-out house. Lowest production-related counts for total aerobic bacteria (3.5 log10 cfu/mL air), molds/yeasts (2.5 log10 cfu/mL air) and Enterobacteriaceae (2.0 log10 cfu/mL air) occurred in the chick room at the hatchery. At the processing facility, highest counts for total aerobic bacteria (6.7 log10 cfu/mL air), molds/yeasts (2.4 log10 cfu/mL air), Enterobacteriaceae (1.5 log10 cfu/mL air) and E. coli (1.4 log10 cfu/mL air) occurred in the two areas where quail are hung/stunned or scalded/defeathered. E. coli was not found at any of the sampling sites in the hatchery (setter, hatcher, egg room, chick room) or at the chiller exit, further processing area and shipping room at the plant. Data gathered during this study may be useful in identifying the sources and levels of airborne contaminates in commercial production and processing of quail so that effective intervention practices may be established or strengthen. Key words: quail production, quail processing, airborne, bioaerosols, microorganisms