Publication:

Evaluation of the microbiological quality of cattle carcasses in some slaughterhouses at Benin, West Africa

Background Slaughterhouse is one of the major critical points in meat hygiene with slaughtering being the stage of occurrence of most contamination risks.

Methods This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of cattle carcasses in the slaughterhouses of Cotonou/Porto-Novo. Samples were collected by excision from four parts on each carcass (neck, shoulder, flank and thigh). A total of eighty (80) samples from twenty (20) carcasses were analysed. Bacteriological analysis was achieved according to APC. ISO 4833: 2003; ISO 21528-2 and ISO 6579: 2002 norms, respectively for evaluate the aerobic plate count, enteric bacteria count, and qualitative detection of Salmonella.

Results Results varied according to carcass parts, with no significant difference between the bacterial loads of these parts regarding the APC. However, a significant difference was observed between the load in enteric bacteria between the neck and the thigh. With respect to EC regulations (N° 2073/2005), the thigh is the most contaminated part with 100% unsatisfactory results for APC, as well as, enteric bacteria count together with high contamination by Salmonella (detected in 75% of thigh samples). Then following the shoulder, showing 100% unsatisfactory results for APC and enteric bacterial load with presence of Salmonella in 55% of samples.

Conclusions Although being the most contaminated site, the inner part of the thigh had the lowest contamination level with respect to APC.