Biofilm control by essential oil (EO) application has recently increased to preclude biofilm production on foods and environmental surfaces. In this work, the anti-biofilm effects of garlic and thyme essential oils using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method against Salmonella typhimurium recovered from different abattoir samples were investigated along with the virulence genes (InvA, SdiA and Stn genes), and the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of S. typhimurium as well. The obtained results revealed that S. typhimurium contaminated abattoir samples to varying degrees. The InvA gene was investigated in all isolates, whereas the SdiA and Stn genes were observed in four and three isolates, respectively. Utilizing the disc diffusion method, S. typhimurium isolates demonstrated substantial resistance to most of the examined antibiotics with a high multiple antibiotic resistance index. S. typhimurium isolates demonstrated biofilm formation abilities to various degrees at varied temperatures levels (4 °C and 37 °C). In conclusion, the obtained samples from the research area are regarded as a potential S. typhimurium contamination source. Furthermore, garlic essential oil (GEO) has more potential to inhibit S. typhimurium biofilm at different sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations as compared to thyme essential oil (TEO). Therefore, these EOs are considered as potential natural antibacterial options that could be applied in food industry.

Cross-contamination of animal carcasses and their contact surfaces at any level of the meat handling process is a significant factor in the production of high-quality meat. The present study was carried out to investigate the hygienic status at El-Qurein abattoir, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Microbial indicators for the hygienic measures including total aerobic plate count (APC) and Staphylococcus count (TSC) were investigated. In addition, the prevalence of Staphylococcus species among abattoir samples and Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial susceptibility testing were also detected. The obtained results revealed that the bacterial contamination in abattoir samples was as follows; abattoir effluents > floors > walls > brisket > rump with mean values of 5.89 ±0.01, 5.65±0.02, 5.06±0.01, 4.87±0.01, and 4.41±0.05 log10 CFU/cm 2 , respectively for APC, while, 4.92 ± 0.02, 4.80 ± 0.02, 4.70 ± 0.02, 4.61 ± 0.03, and 4.38 ± 0.05 log10 CFU/cm 2 for TSC, respectively. The disc diffusion test of S. aureus isolates revealed its resistance to most of the tested antibiotics with high multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices. It was concluded that the hygienic measures at El-Qurein abattoir were inadequate. This study suggested the necessity of the application of appropriate food safety practices inside the abattoir and the adoption of personal hygienic measures among abattoir workers.

Fish is an excellent source of protein and other essential minerals and vitamins; nevertheless, several food-borne disease outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of different types of fish. Therefore, we aimed to overcome these health threats by evaluating gamma radiation as a good fish preservation method. The aerobic plate count (APC), identification of most common pathogenic bacteria, organoleptic properties, proximate composition, and other chemical evaluations were detected in both untreated and gamma-treated fish. The overall grades of organoleptic evaluations ranged from good to very good. Fortunately, the overall chemical analysis of all examined fish samples was accepted. For the untreated fish samples, the APC was within and above the permissible limit (5 × 107 CFU/g). Pathogenic bacteria were detected with a high prevalence rate, especially S. aureus, which was found in high percentages among examined untreated fish samples. Regarding the treated fish samples, APC and pathogenic bacterial counts were reduced in a dose-dependent manner, and the irradiation at dose 5 KGy resulted in complete eradication of the aerobic plate count (not detectable) with a mean reduction percentage equal to 100%. However, gamma irradiation has no significant effect on proximate composition; particularly, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids were not significantly affected by low and medium doses of radiation. Therefore, gamma irradiation is a highly effective fish preservation method without any effect on fish quality. Additionally, gamma irradiation as a cold process is an attractive technology for solving the problem arising from fish-borne pathogens, and it has been purposed in this study as a cheap and safe method for reducing microbial contamination of fish.

An abattoir survey was conducted from October 2020 to September 2021 to identify the primary reasons for offal and carcass condemnation of slaughtered animals in Dakahlia province, Egypt, as well as to estimate their economic loss. During the survey, 643 animals (441 cattle, 178 buffalos, 19 camels, 4 sheep, and one goat) were submitted for antemortem and postmortem inspection. The results of both inspections were collected, analyzed, and the total economic loss was estimated by adding the condemnation of offal and carcasses over a twelve-month period. Retail prices for offal (liver, lung, heart, and tongue) and carcass prices per kg were obtained from local markets. Out of 643 animals slaughtered, 2 (0.31%) were totally condemned. In addition, postmortem inspection revealed that 217 (33.74%) livers, 158 (24.57%) lungs, 5 (0.78%) hearts, 14 (2.18%) heads, and 11(1.71%) tongues were condemned. Offal were condemned mainly due to pneumonia, fascioliasis, telangiectiasis, necrosis, and hydatidosis, whereas carcasses were rejected due to generalized tuberculosis. According to this study, the financial loss at the abattoir owing to carcass and organ condemnations was 244066 Egyptian Pounds over a twelve-month period (15746 USD). The incidence of meat rejection and subsequent financial loss was high compared to the amount of local revenue. The current study concluded that bacterial and parasitic diseases are still prevalent and cause significant economic damage in Dakahlia province, Egypt. This abattoir survey offered regional information on the principal reasons for carcass and organ condemnation in slaughtered animals, as well as an estimate of the direct economic consequences. Furthermore, the findings of the current work underlined the importance of developing an efficient monitoring system for meat condemnation and enforcing animal health strategies in Egypt.

No abstract