ARS | Publication request: Efficacy of hypobromous acid as a hide-on carcass antimicrobial intervention

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 29, 2012
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Repository URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/54163
Citation: Schmidt, J.W., Wang, R., Kalchayanand, N., Wheeler, T.L., Koohmaraie, M. 2012. Efficacy of hypobromous acid as a hide-on carcass antimicrobial intervention. Journal of Food Protection. 75 (5): 955-958.

Interpretive Summary: Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on cattle hides has been recognized as the principle source of carcass contamination at commercial beef processing facilities. Hide washing has been demonstrated as an effective intervention to reduce the risk of carcass contamination with pathogens. Recently a bromine product has been approved for use in the production of meat and poultry products without a labeling requirement. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two levels of this bromine product for reducing pathogens on cattle hides. Results indicate both levels of bromine significantly reduced the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on cattle hides. We conclude that bromine treatment of cattle hides will reduce the incidence of foodborne pathogens on hides resulting in reduced contamination of carcasses and decreased risk of pathogens in beef products.

Technical Abstract: Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on cattle hides at slaughter are the main source of beef carcass contamination by these foodborne pathogens during processing. Hide intervention has proven to be an effective tool for reducing pathogen load on beef hides prior to slaughter. Recently, hypobromous acid (HOBr) has been approved for various applications in meat processing. The efficacy of HOBr as a hide antimicrobial has not been determined. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of HOBr were determined by spraying cattle hides at either of two concentrations, 220 or 500 ppm. Treatment of hides with 220 ppm HOBr reduced (P < 0.05) the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on hides from 25.3% to 10.1% and reduced (P < 0.05) the prevalence of Salmonella from 28.3% to 7.1%. Treatment of hides with 500 ppm HOBr reduced (P < 0.05) the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 on hides from 21.2% to 10.1% and the prevalence of Salmonella from 33.3% to 8.1%. Application of 220 ppm HOBr reduced (P < 0.05) aerobic plate counts (APC), total coliform counts (TCC), and E .coli counts (ECC) on hides by log 2.2 CFU/100 cm2. Use of 500 ppm HOBr resulted in reductions (P < 0.05) of APC, TCC, and ECC, by log 3.3, 3.7, and 3.8 CFU/100 cm2, respectively, demonstrating that use of higher concentrations of HOBr on hides resulted in additional antimicrobial activity. These results indicate that adoption of a HOBr hide wash will reduce pathogen prevalence on hides resulting in lower risk of carcass contamination.