Abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes, a food borne pathogenic bacterium often isolated from
meat and meat products, is considered a major causative agent responsible for
serious diseases in both humans and animals. This study was carried out to
determine the persistence rate and occurrence of L. monocytogenes in poultry meat
and ready to eat sausages from Nelna Farm poultry meat processing plant,
Meethirigala, Sri Lanka. A total of 100 samples were (50 samples of poultry meat
and 50 samples of sausages) collected and tested for L. monocytogenes using Fraser
Broth and HiCrome Agar Listeria medium, examined by ISO 11290 method and
confirmed by biochemical tests (catalase, beta-hemolysis, CAMP test) and the
motility test in semi-solid nutrient broth. Out of 100, only 13 samples were
suspected as Listeria spp. by the colony appearance. After the biochemical tests,
those 13 samples were also confirmed as not contaminated from L. monocytogenes.
All the fifty chicken raw meat samples and fifty comminuted sausages samples from
Nelna Farm were all negative for L. monocytogenes. As all the results are negative,
some of the paired samples were sent to the Bureau Veritas, Colombo and those
results were also negative. The samples are 100% free from virulent L.
monocytogenes and also can conclude this factory has been following good hygienic
practices based on hazard analysis and critical control point programs throughout
the industry.
