Steam treatment reduces the skin microflora population on deheaded and eviscerated whole catfish
1999
Bal'a, M.F.A. | Podolak, R. | Marshall, D.L.
This study tested the efficacy of steam exposures for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 s on reducing skin microflora of whole deheaded and eviscerated catfish. Microbiological analyses of skin were performed after treatment and on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 14 days of storage at 4 degrees C. Catfish skin samples were examined for total (APC), coliform (CPC), and psychrotrophic (PPC) plate counts. Results indicated that as steam treatment duration increased greater reduction of catfish skin microflora was achieved. Mean bacterial counts determined on steam-treated catfish skins were significantly (P < 0(.)05) lower than controls at all sample times. Steam treatment for 120 s was the most effective treatment modality, with APC, PPC and CPC lower than control by 2(.)3, 3(.)5 and 3(.)4 log cfu cm(-2) after 4 days of storage at 4 degrees C. Skin APC and CPC were reduced below the limit of detection (1(.)8 log cfu cm(-2)) following a 30-s exposure, and remained at this level until day 4 of storage at 4 degrees C. Skin PPC were reduced by 2 log cfu cm(-2) following 120-s steam exposure. Steam application to whole deheaded eviscerated catfish may prove useful to sanitize catfish skin prior to further processing into valuable consumer products.
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