Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas spp. Distribution in a Processing Facility of Spotted Sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) in Brazil

• Published in: Journal of food protection 2022-11, Vol.85 (11), p.1640-1645
• Main Authors: da Silva Dias, Naudia, de Melo Tavares, Rafaela, da Cunha Neto, Adelino, de Souza Figueiredo, Eduardo Eustáquio, Camargo, Anderson Carlos, Tavares Carvalho, Ricardo César, Nero, Luís Augusto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Aquaculture; Brazil; Enumeration; Fish; Food Microbiology; Food safety; Hygiene; Listeria; Listeria monocytogenes; Morphology; Pathogens; Pseudomonas; Pseudoplatystoma corruscans; Serotyping; Slaughter; Spoilage; Spotted sorubim; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0362-028X; 1944-9097
• DOI: 10.4315/JFP-22-171

The ecology of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas spp. during the slaughtering of spotted sorubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) in a fish processing facility was assessed. Fish samples (n = 28) were obtained in different points of slaughtering (A, arrival; B, washing; C, gutting; and D, cooling) and subjected to detection of L. monocytogenes and enumeration of Pseudomonas spp. High frequencies of Listeria spp. (17 of 28 to 22 of 28) and L. monocytogenes (6 of 28 to 9 of 28) were identified in all slaughtering points but were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05). All L. monocytogenes isolates (n = 33) were identified as belonging to serogroup IVb (serotype 4b) and subjected to macrorestriction with ApaI and AscI. The results indicated a continuous entry of L. monocytogenes in the facility, as well as a temporary persistence of a specific pulsotype. Pseudomonas spp. counts significantly decreased between points A and D (P < 0.05), but the mean counts in the end products (D) remained higher than 3 log CFU/g, suggesting the potential for fast spoilage. The obtained results show that L. monocytogenes and Pseudomonas spp. are widely distributed during spotted sorubim slaughtering, indicating the need for proper hygienic procedures to control these bacteria in the processing facility. L. monocytogenes is widely distributed in spotted sorubim slaughtering.L. monocytogenes is continuously entering the processing chain.Temporary persistence of a L. monocytogenes pulsotype was indicated.Pseudomonas counts were not affected by spotted sorubim slaughtering.