ARS | Publication request: Enterobacteriaceae and related organisms recovered from biofilms in a commercial shell egg processing facility.

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 23, 2009
Publication Date: April 23, 2009
Citation: Musgrove, M.T., Berrang, M.E., Liljebjelke, K.A. 2009. Enterobacteriaceae and related organisms recovered from biofilms in a commercial shell egg processing facility.. International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. Jul 12-15,2009. Grapevine, TX. T1-06.

Technical Abstract: During six visits, biofilms from egg contact and non-contact surfaces in a commercial shell egg processing facility were sampled. Thirty-five different sample sites were selected: Pre-wash and wash tanks (lids, screens, tank interiors, nozzle guards), post-wash spindles, blower filters, belts (farm, accumulator, post-wash), scales, packer lanes (belts, brushes, sorters), plastic flat washers, and drains. Cotton swabs (10cm x 10cm) moistened with 10 mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were used to collect biofilm materials aseptically from each of the sample sites. Upon reaching the laboratory, aliquots were pour plated using violet red bile glucose agar with overlay and incubated at 37oC for 18-24 h. Enumerated results were described in a previous report. Isolates (1-3/plate) were selected randomly from plates exhibiting typical presumptive colonies. Each selected colony was restreaked three times on plate count agar to increase isolate purity.