07 Aug 2021

Cross contamination a latent threat

Content available at: Español (Spanish)Mitigating the microbial risks of the production chain is essential to guarantee the safety of the […]

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Mitigating the microbial risks of the production chain is essential to guarantee the safety of the feed destined for the animal and, therefore, the human consumption of animal protein.

Feed contamination can occur at any production stage, from raw material transportation to storage during production on the processing line or the farm.

When conditions for microbial growth are optimal, Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella can become a significant threat to the quality and safety of the finished feed and consequently a threat to birds and humans. Salmonella is an example of this type of threat, difficult to detect in routine checks, as it can enter a lethargic state, leading producers to the erroneous conclusion that raw materials for feed and production lines are free of the pathogen.

Activation of lethargic Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae can occur due to higher temperatures and water activity levels. This can happen at any production stage, such as during raw material storage, milling, or production breaks. These changes allow the metabolism of microorganisms to reactivate and proliferate. In addition, as the milling process passes, the nutrients become more accessible to the Enterobacteriaceae, enabling their entry, multiplication, and triggering cross-contamination throughout production.

When microorganisms are present and the accessibility of nutrients increases during milling, a degradation of nutrients also begins. This implies that microorganisms consume the nutrients and reduce their availability to the animal, resulting in a decline in production efficiency. For example, a study conducted by DiConstanzo in 2009 established that the average weight loss of corn due to nutrient degradation caused by microorganisms is 7% (DiCostanzo, 2009).

Several solutions can contribute to the reduction of risks and growth of Enterobacteriaceae, such as Salmonella. The most common solution is the hydrothermal treatment used in different production processes. The hydrothermal treatment consists of adding heat and humidity to the feed before pelleting. In Graph 2, you can see the impact of adding humidity above 100 degrees Celsius on the colony-forming units of Salmonella.