INVESTIGATION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF CHICKEN RAW MATERIALS AT TRADE FACILITIES IN KAUNAS

The article presents the results of microbiological studies on samples of chicken meat and poultry offal sold at domestic trade facilities in Kaunas, Lithuania. The samples were analyzed according to standard sanitary and hygiene indicators for food safety, including total microbial content, Сoliform bacteria, and the presence of potentially harmful microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. During the study of chicken raw materials, the range of total bacterial contamination varied within 1.5*105 – 2.5*108 CFU/g. According to this criterion, the excess of the regulated values for the EU countries was noted, amounting to 27.5%. The highest contamination levels were observed in samples of chicken wings and gizzards. To assess the safety of chicken raw materials, sanitary-indicative microorganisms were monitored. The quantitative indication of Coliform bacteria in all samples remained within acceptable levels. A correlation was found between the total microbial content and the number of Coliform bacteria in different parts of the chicken carcass (r=0.43). This indicates that the probability of finding coliform bacteria is higher in meat than in offal. The results of studies on pathogenic microorganisms are presented. The data obtained indicate that chicken products sold in retail networks comply with EAEU and EU safety requirements. No Salmonella and L.monocytogenes were detected in the samples. The presence of non-pathogenic Listeria as extraneous microorganisms is not critical.