Efficacy of Aqueous Solution of N-Halamine to Reduce Microbiological Contamination on Cattle Hides for Meat Safety with Byproduct Quality Assurance

Abstract

Bacterial contamination on the outer grained hide of cattle serves as a significant challenge to the meat and hide processing plants regarding food safety. Cattle serves as a host to several bacteria including pathogens, which may become firmly lodged on a cattle’s hide during their lifespan and can facilitate cross contamination of the underlying meat and meat processing equipment in a slaughterhouse. In this study, the efficacy of sodium dichloroisocyanurate dehydrate (SDCIC), which belongs to N-halamine group of compounds is evaluated on inhibition of the natural-borne bacteria from the haired surface of cattle hide. Spray-washing with 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75% aqueous SDCIC solutions reduced total aerobic bacteria on hide surface by 1.6 and 2.37 and 3.57 log CFU/50 cm² respectively in 5 min. Similarly, in comparison with water spray, a 5 min treatment with 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75% SDCIC resulted in a reduction of Enterobacteriaceae (ENT) and related gram-negative bacilli (gnEB) counts by 1.2, 2.22 and 4.22 log CFU/50 cm² respectively. The highest reduction of E.coli recovery of 1.48 log CFU/50 cm² was obtained with a spray treatment of 0.75% SDCIC in 1 minute. Likewise, 0.75% SDCIC spray treatment resulted in 2.5 and 3.65 log CFU/50 cm² reduction of Salmonella in 1 and 5 min, respectively in comparison to their respective controls. Leather from treated hides was tested to evaluate the effects of N-halamine solutions on structural, mechanical and subjective properties of produced leather in which no major detrimental impacts were found.