An overview of meat composition, postmortem changes, and sources of microbial contamination in developing countries abattoirs

Document Type : Review Articles

Authors

1 1 Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.

2 Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.

3 Department of food hygiene and control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt

Abstract

Meat is an essential component of a healthy and well-balanced diet and played a crucial role in human evolution over the years because it is an excellent source of highly digested protein, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, niacin, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium. Raw meat is considered an unavoidable source of microbial contamination due to enriched nutrient composition, high pH (5.5 to 6.5), and water activity (0.98 to 0.99); consequently, the meat is regarded as a perfect medium for bacterial growth. Meat deterioration begins immediately after slaughtering because of faulty practices during processing stages, such as skinning, evisceration, storage, and distribution. Abattoirs play a crucial role in providing safe meat to consumers. Consequently, the application of strict hygienic measures during slaughtering and effective sanitation programs in developing countries abattoirs is a compulsory action for obtaining high keeping quality meat. Also, the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) at every stage of the production chain is very crucial to protect public health and increase safety, quality and shelf stability of meat.

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