Detection of airborne bacteria and fungi in meat plants

Sandikci Altunatmaz, S. and Aydin, A. and Issa, G. and Aksu, F. and Dulger Altiner, D. and Aksu, H. (2025) Detection of airborne bacteria and fungi in meat plants. International Food Research Journal (Malaysia), 32 (2). pp. 540-551. ISSN 2231 7546

The present work aimed to determine the total airborne bacterial and fungal loads in three meat plants, identify the isolated fungi, and determine the fungal diversity. The air samples were collected from 23 different sampling points within the meat plants using two different techniques: the Petri dish exposure (sedimentation) method and the impaction method (using Mas-100 Eco Air Sampler device). Using the sedimentation method, the total mesophilic aerobic bacterial and fungal counts were found to be 1 - 180 CFU/Petri-15 min (mean 48.49 CFU/Petri-15 min) and 1 - 105 CFU/Petri (mean 19.845 CFU/Petri), respectively. Using the impaction method, the counts ranged from 8 to 385 CFU/m3 (mean 112.77 CFU/m3) for bacteria, and from 2 to 320 CFU/m3 (mean 57.45 CFU/m3) for fungi. A total of 76 isolates were obtained. The most commonly isolated fungal species were Mucor spp. (n = 28, 36.84%), Rhizopus spp. (n = 22, 28.94%), and Penicillium spp. (n = 18, 23.68%). Mucor racemosus (n = 20) and Rhizopus oryzae (n = 14) were the most common species. Additionally, Aspergillus spp. (n = 3, 3.94%), Geotrichum spp. (n = 3, 3.94%), Syncephalostrum sp. (n = 1, 1.31%), and Wallemia sp. (n = 1, 1.31%) were detected. The present work demonstrated that fungi, which could be pathogens and spoilers, may be present in the ambient air of meat plants. Therefore, maintaining air hygiene in meat plants, from economic and health perspectives, is essential.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/32%20(02)%202025/17%20-...

Abstract

The present work aimed to determine the total airborne bacterial and fungal loads in three meat plants, identify the isolated fungi, and determine the fungal diversity. The air samples were collected from 23 different sampling points within the meat plants using two different techniques: the Petri dish exposure (sedimentation) method and the impaction method (using Mas-100 Eco Air Sampler device). Using the sedimentation method, the total mesophilic aerobic bacterial and fungal counts were found to be 1 - 180 CFU/Petri-15 min (mean 48.49 CFU/Petri-15 min) and 1 - 105 CFU/Petri (mean 19.845 CFU/Petri), respectively. Using the impaction method, the counts ranged from 8 to 385 CFU/m3 (mean 112.77 CFU/m3) for bacteria, and from 2 to 320 CFU/m3 (mean 57.45 CFU/m3) for fungi. A total of 76 isolates were obtained. The most commonly isolated fungal species were Mucor spp. (n = 28, 36.84%), Rhizopus spp. (n = 22, 28.94%), and Penicillium spp. (n = 18, 23.68%). Mucor racemosus (n = 20) and Rhizopus oryzae (n = 14) were the most common species. Additionally, Aspergillus spp. (n = 3, 3.94%), Geotrichum spp. (n = 3, 3.94%), Syncephalostrum sp. (n = 1, 1.31%), and Wallemia sp. (n = 1, 1.31%) were detected. The present work demonstrated that fungi, which could be pathogens and spoilers, may be present in the ambient air of meat plants. Therefore, maintaining air hygiene in meat plants, from economic and health perspectives, is essential.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	meat industry
AGROVOC Term:	air sampling
AGROVOC Term:	bacterial counting
AGROVOC Term:	food safety
AGROVOC Term:	Bacteria
AGROVOC Term:	Fungi
AGROVOC Term:	Mucor
AGROVOC Term:	Rhizopus
AGROVOC Term:	Penicillium
AGROVOC Term:	pathogens
Geographical Term:	Turkey
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2026 03:25
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2026 03:25
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/25336

Actions (login required)

View Item