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In-Package Inactivation of Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria Associated with Poultry Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Cold Plasma Treatments

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Abstract

The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of in-package dielectric barrier discharge-cold plasma (DBD-CP) treatment to inactivate poultry-associated spoilage (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and pathogenic (Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni) bacteria. Liquid cultures of the bacterial isolates were sealed within packages containing ambient air (Trial 1) or modified air (65% O2:30% CO2:5% N2; Trial 2). The packages were subjected to treatment times ranging from 30 to 180 s, and after 24 h incubation at 4 °C, bacterial titers were determined. The DBD-CP system completely inactivated the four isolates tested, although the in-package gas composition and treatment times were isolate-specific. Both C. jejuni isolates were completely inactivated between 30 s (modified air) and 120 s (ambient air), while modified air was required for the complete inactivation of S. typhimurium (90 s) and P. fluorescens (180 s). This DBD-CP system is effective for inactivating major poultry-associated spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in liquid culture, and through this study, system parameters to optimize inactivation were determined. This study demonstrates the potential for DBD-CP treatment to inactivate major bacteria of economic interest to the poultry industry, thus potentially allowing for reduced spoilage (e.g., longer shelf life) and increased safety of poultry products.

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Abbreviations

DBD-CP:

Dielectric barrier discharge-cold plasma

MA:

Modified air

CFU:

Colony forming units

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Taylor Kronn, Latoya Wiggins, and Candace McKinney for their assistance in sample preparation, technical assistance, and sample processing. These investigations were supported by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA CRIS Projects “Assessment and Improvement of Poultry Meet, Egg, and Feed Quality” #6040-41440-002-00, “Genetic Analysis of Poultry-Associated Salmonella enterica to Identify and Characterize Properties and Markers Associated with Egg-Borne Transmission of Illness” #6040-32000-007-00 and “Molecular Approaches for the Characterization of Foodborne Pathogens in Poultry” #6612-32000-059-00.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit, US National Poultry Research Center, USDA-ARS, 950 College Station Rd., Athens, GA, 30605, USA

      Michael J. Rothrock Jr.

    2. Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit, US National Poultry Research Center, USDA-ARS, 950 College Station Rd., Athens, GA, 30605, USA

      Hong Zhuang, Kurt C. Lawrence, Brian C. Bowker & Gary R. Gamble

    3. Poultry Microbiology Safety and Processing Research Unit, US National Poultry Research Center, USDA-ARS, 950 College Station Rd., Athens, GA, 30605, USA

      Kelli L. Hiett

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    Michael J. Rothrock Jr., Hong Zhuang, and Kelli L. Hiett contributed equally to conception, design, and completion of both the investigations and manuscript preparation.

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    Rothrock, M.J., Zhuang, H., Lawrence, K.C. et al. In-Package Inactivation of Pathogenic and Spoilage Bacteria Associated with Poultry Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge-Cold Plasma Treatments. Curr Microbiol 74, 149–158 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00284-016-1158-x

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