Effect of Different Immersion Tank Water Temperatures on the Microbiological Quality of Rabbit Carcasses

The pre-chilling of rabbit carcasses in an immersion tank directly interferes with microbial control. Therefore, this study was developed to examine the influence different pre-chill water temperatures (4, 7, and 10 °C) on microbiological quality carcasses. Samples ice from pre-chiller were collected; mesophilic aerobic heterotrophic microorganisms (MES), enterobacteria (EC), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CPS) counted; presence Salmonella spp. investigated. After immersed pre-chiller, there a significant increase (p < 0.05) MES (38.69 88.06 Log CFU·mL−1 at 4 °C, respectively) EC (3.20, 4.15, 4.84 4, respectively). average count tended after temperatures, but not significant. Water samples showed MES, EC, CPS counts only carcasses; however, these detected any samples. identified analyzed three evaluated did multiply surface or carcass immersion. This that none able reduce indicator rabbits. These data provide scientific support discuss need for specific norms guidelines meat production.