ATP-Bioluminescence and conventional microbiology for hygiene evaluation of cutting room surfaces in poultry slaughterhouse

Background: The hygiene procedures in poultry slaughterhouses consist in the use of hot water, detergent and sanitizing, configuring Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP). These actions control contamination in food processing environments, especially by pathogenic microorganisms, which cause diseases with impact on public health and economic losses. The microbiological control of aerobic mesophiles, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, are used as indicators of contamination. The hygienic-sanitary conditions on the surfaces of the poultry slaughterhouse cuttting room were evaluated, before and after cleaning and sanitizing procedures.Materials, Methods & Results: Conventional microbiology (Rodac plates and sponge for quantification of aerobic mesophiles, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and ATP-Bioluminescence were used to analyze the action of hot water and the active principles peracetic acid, quaternary ammonia and biguanide in the standard pre-operational hygiene procedure in the cutting room of the poultry slaughterhouse under Federal Inspection with slaughter capacity of more than 20.000 birds/h. The evaluations were performed on three lines of chicken thigh cuts at the same time and in a completely randomized manner on stainless steel surfaces, polyurethane belts and polyethylene boards. Samples were made in four replicates at the three surface totaling 108 assay for each microorganism. The samples were collected at the end of the cutting process, before and after washing the surfaces with hot water (between 45 and 50ºC) and after sanitization with 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonia and 1% biguanide. The ATP-Bioluminescence method detected organic matter at all collected points and Rodac plates allowed a better recovery of microorganisms than sponges for quantification of aerobic mesophiles, E. coli and S. aureus.[...]

ATP-Bioluminescence and conventional microbiology for hygiene evaluation of cutting room surfaces in poultry slaughterhouse

Background: The hygiene procedures in poultry slaughterhouses consist in the use of hot water, detergent and sanitizing, configuring Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP). These actions control contamination in food processing environments, especially by pathogenic microorganisms, which cause diseases with impact on public health and economic losses. The microbiological control of aerobic mesophiles, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, are used as indicators of contamination. The hygienic-sanitary conditions on the surfaces of the poultry slaughterhouse cuttting room were evaluated, before and after cleaning and sanitizing procedures.Materials, Methods & Results: Conventional microbiology (Rodac plates and sponge for quantification of aerobic mesophiles, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and ATP-Bioluminescence were used to analyze the action of hot water and the active principles peracetic acid, quaternary ammonia and biguanide in the standard pre-operational hygiene procedure in the cutting room of the poultry slaughterhouse under Federal Inspection with slaughter capacity of more than 20.000 birds/h. The evaluations were performed on three lines of chicken thigh cuts at the same time and in a completely randomized manner on stainless steel surfaces, polyurethane belts and polyethylene boards. Samples were made in four replicates at the three surface totaling 108 assay for each microorganism. The samples were collected at the end of the cutting process, before and after washing the surfaces with hot water (between 45 and 50ºC) and after sanitization with 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonia and 1% biguanide. The ATP-Bioluminescence method detected organic matter at all collected points and Rodac plates allowed a better recovery of microorganisms than sponges for quantification of aerobic mesophiles, E. coli and S. aureus.[...](AU)

Efficacy of sertraline against Trypanosoma cruzi: an in vitro and in silico study

Background: Drug repurposing has been an interesting and cost-effective approach, especially for neglected diseases, such as Chagas disease. Methods: In this work, we studied the activity of the antidepressant drug sertraline against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of the Y and Tulahuen strains, and investigated its action mode using cell biology and in silico approaches. Results: Sertraline demonstrated in vitro efficacy against intracellular amastigotes of both T. cruzi strains inside different host cells, including cardiomyocytes, with IC50 values between 1 to 10 M, and activity against bloodstream trypomastigotes, with IC50 of 14 M. Considering the mammalian cytotoxicity, the drug resulted in a selectivity index of 17.8. Sertraline induced a change in the mitochondrial integrity of T. cruzi, resulting in a decrease in ATP levels, but not affecting reactive oxygen levels or plasma membrane permeability. In silico approaches using chemogenomic target fishing, homology modeling and molecular docking suggested the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 of T. cruzi (TcIDH2) as a potential target for sertraline. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that sertraline had a lethal effect on different forms and strains of T. cruzi, by affecting the bioenergetic metabolism of the parasite. These findings provide a starting point for future experimental assays and may contribute to the development of new compounds.(AU)

Efficacy of sertraline against Trypanosoma cruzi: an in vitro and in silico study

Drug repurposing has been an interesting and cost-effective approach, especially for neglected diseases, such as Chagas disease. Methods: In this work, we studied the activity of the antidepressant drug sertraline against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes and intracellular amastigotes of the Y and Tulahuen strains, and investigated its action mode using cell biology and in silico approaches. Results: Sertraline demonstrated in vitro efficacy against intracellular amastigotes of both T. cruzi strains inside different host cells, including cardiomyocytes, with IC50 values between 1 to 10 µM, and activity against bloodstream trypomastigotes, with IC50 of 14 µM. Considering the mammalian cytotoxicity, the drug resulted in a selectivity index of 17.8. Sertraline induced a change in the mitochondrial integrity of T. cruzi, resulting in a decrease in ATP levels, but not affecting reactive oxygen levels or plasma membrane permeability. In silico approaches using chemogenomic target fishing, homology modeling and molecular docking suggested the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 of T. cruzi (TcIDH2) as a potential target for sertraline. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that sertraline had a lethal effect on different forms and strains of T. cruzi, by affecting the bioenergetic metabolism of the parasite. These findings provide a starting point for future experimental assays and may contribute to the development of new compounds.(AU)

Repeated stressors do not provoke habituation or accumulation of the stress response in the catfish Rhamdia quelen

Fish repeatedly experience stressful situations under experimental and aquaculture conditions, even in their natural habitat. Fish submitted to sequential stressors can exhibit accumulation or habituation on its cortisol response. We posed a central question about the cortisol response profiles after exposure to successive acute stressors of a similar and different nature in Rhamdia quelen. We have shown that successive acute stressors delivered with 12-h, 48-h, and 1-week intervals provoked similar cortisol responses in juvenile R. quelen, without any habituation or accumulation. The cumulative stress response is more associated to short acute stressors with very short intervals of minutes to hours. In our work, we used an interval as short as 12h, and no cumulative response was found. However, if the length of time between stressors is of a day or week as used in our work the most common and an expected phenomenon is the attenuation of the response. Thus, also, the absence of both accumulation of the stress response and the expected habituation is an intriguing result. Our results show that R. quelen does not show habituation or accumulation in its stress responses to repeated stressors, as reported for other fish species.(AU)

Os peixes, tanto em condições de cultivo quanto em condições experimentais ou na natureza, podem experimentar situações de estresse. Peixes submetidos a estressores sequenciais podem apresentar acumulação de sua resposta de cortisol com aumento dos níveis desse hormônio em cada resposta sucessiva ou habituação da resposta do cortisol, com redução dos níveis de cortisol em cada resposta sequencial. Abordamos a questão central de como é o perfil de resposta do cortisol de R. quelen após a exposição a estressores agudos sucessivos de natureza semelhante e diferente. Os dados mostraram que sucessivos estressores agudos com intervalos de 12 e 48h e de uma semana, provocaram respostas de cortisol semelhantes em juvenis de R. quelen, sem qualquer habituação ou acumulação. No presente trabalho usamos intervalos tão curtos quanto 12h e não verificamos qualquer tipo de acumulação da resposta. No entanto, se o intervalo entre estressores forem de um dia ou semana, o fenômeno mais comum e esperado é o da atenuação da resposta. Assim, tanto a ausência de acumulação da resposta ao estresse quanto à ausência da habituação esperada são resultados interessantes. Nossos resultados mostraram que juvenis de R. quelen não mostram habituação ou acumulação em suas respostas de estresse a estressores repetidos, como relatado para outras espécies de peixes.(AU)

Salmonella and Listeria from stainless steel, polyurethane and polyethylene surfaces in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse / Salmonella and Listeria from stainless steel, polyurethane and polyethylene surfaces in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse

Background: The cleaning process in poultry slaughterhouses consists basically on the use of hot water, detergents and disinfectants. The disinfection, which is the last stage of the cleaning process, seeks to reduce the number of total microorganisms and eliminating pathogen, so that levels are kept safe for good quality products. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria are of utmost importance since they may cause foodborne diseases and consequently result in public health and economic losses in the domestic and in exporting markets. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse with capacity to process 20.000 animals per hour in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected during preoperational cleaning: before the surfaces were washed (without the removal of residues); after washing with hot water at 45 to 50C and 22.5 bar pressure; and after washing with 2% sodium hydroxide detergent. Three disinfectants were tested: 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonium and 1% biguanide, all of them for 15 min, followed by rinsing with hot water. Evaluations were made in three processing lines for cutting chicken legs at the same time and on fully randomized sites of three surfaces: stainless steel tables, polyurethane conveyors, and polyethylene cutting boards. The pre-enrichm

Background: The cleaning process in poultry slaughterhouses consists basically on the use of hot water, detergents and disinfectants. The disinfection, which is the last stage of the cleaning process, seeks to reduce the number of total microorganisms and eliminating pathogen, so that levels are kept safe for good quality products. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria are of utmost importance since they may cause foodborne diseases and consequently result in public health and economic losses in the domestic and in exporting markets. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse with capacity to process 20.000 animals per hour in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected during preoperational cleaning: before the surfaces were washed (without the removal of residues); after washing with hot water at 45 to 50C and 22.5 bar pressure; and after washing with 2% sodium hydroxide detergent. Three disinfectants were tested: 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonium and 1% biguanide, all of them for 15 min, followed by rinsing with hot water. Evaluations were made in three processing lines for cutting chicken legs at the same time and on fully randomized sites of three surfaces: stainless steel tables, polyurethane conveyors, and polyethylene cutting boards. The pre-enrichm

Salmonella and Listeria from stainless steel, polyurethane and polyethylene surfaces in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse

Background: The cleaning process in poultry slaughterhouses consists basically on the use of hot water, detergents and disinfectants. The disinfection, which is the last stage of the cleaning process, seeks to reduce the number of total microorganisms and eliminating pathogen, so that levels are kept safe for good quality products. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria are of utmost importance since they may cause foodborne diseases and consequently result in public health and economic losses in the domestic and in exporting markets. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse with capacity to process 20.000 animals per hour in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected during preoperational cleaning: before the surfaces were washed (without the removal of residues); after washing with hot water at 45 to 50°C and 22.5 bar pressure; and after washing with 2% sodium hydroxide detergent. Three disinfectants were tested: 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonium and 1% biguanide, all of them for 15 min, followed by rinsing with hot water. Evaluations were made in three processing lines for cutting chicken legs at the same time and on fully randomized sites of three surfaces: stainless steel tables, polyurethane conveyors, and polyethylene cutting boards. The pre-enrichment method used 100 mL of 1% peptone water added to a bag with the sponge. After 1 min in a stomacher blender, an aliquot of 50 mL was transferred to a sterilized container and incubated at 30 ± 1°C for 18-24 h to isolate Listeria while the remaining 100 mL was incubated at 36 ± 1°C for 16-20 h for the isolation of Salmonella. Selective enrichment for Salmonella was conducted in Rappaport-Vassiliadis medium and selenite cystine broth, for 24 to 30 h at 41 ± 0.5°C in a water bath. Isolation was conducted in chromogenic agar for Salmonella and brilliant-green phenol-red lactose sucrose agar, incubated at 36 ± 1°C for 18-24 h. Colonies compatible with Salmonella were confi rmed using biochemical and serological tests. For Listeria isolation, selective enrichment was performed in Fraser broth for 18-24 h at 30 ± 1°C, Listeria agar and Modifi ed Oxford - MOX agar, incubated at 35 ± 2°C for 24-48 h. Colonies compatible with Listeria spp. were confi rmed for L. monocytogenes and other species by using biochemical tests. Results were described as presence or absence of Salmonella or Listeria. Discussion: Salmonella was not found on the surfaces studied, which may be due to the fact that the batch of slaughtered broilers was free of this microorganism or that good production practices and hazard analysis and critical control points procedures in this industry were adequately applied. Listeria welshmeri was isolated from the polyurethane conveyor and Listeria monocytogenes from the stainless steel table, both when the surfaces had food residues, before washing. The isolation of different Listeria species on the same surface (polyurethane conveyor) may be explained by the fact that four different sites were examined for sample collection, and that there might have been different species simultaneously contaminating the surfaces on random sites. After washing with hot water, Listeria monocytogenes was still isolated from the polyurethane conveyor, but it was not isolated after disinfection with 2% quaternary ammonium. After this stage of disinfection, Listeria was no longer isolated, which indicates that the use of a detergent and posterior use of quaternary ammonium was effi cacious in removing the microorganisms from this surface.

Antioxidant activity of bee products added to water in tebuconazole-exposed fish

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the potential of honey, propolis, and bee pollen for the reversal of lipid peroxidation induced by tebuconazole (TEB) in South American catfish (Rhamdia quelen), in which the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and the concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, reduced glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, and non-protein thiols were assessed. Honey (0.125 g L-1) and bee pollen (0.05 g L-1) added to the water reverse the production of TBARS induced by TEB, while propolis demonstrated a pro-oxidant effect, inducing an increase in TBARS production. The data presented herein suggest that the addition of water to honey and bee pollen potentially protects against the oxidative stress caused by agrichemicals.(AU)

Um experimento foi conduzido objetivando avaliar o potencial do mel, da própolis e do pólen apícola na reversão da peroxidação lipídica causada pelo fungicida tebuconazole (TEB) na espécie de peixe tropical Rhamdia quelen, avaliando a concentração das substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), a atividade da enzima glutationa-S-transferase (GST) e das concentrações dos antioxidantes glutationa reduzida (GSH), ácido ascórbico e dos tiois não proteicos. O mel adicionado à água na concentração de 0,125g L-1 e o pólen apícola na concentração de 0.05 g L-1reverteram a geração das TBARS causada pela exposição ao TEB, enquanto a própolis demonstrou efeito pró-oxidante, induzindo um aumento na geração das TBARS. Os dados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem o potencial do mel e do pólen apícola adicionados à água como substâncias protetoras contra o estresse oxidativo causado por agroquímicos.(AU)

Combined approach between better management practices and the mitigating stress management for fish culture / Enfoque combinado entre as boas práticas de manejo e as medidas mitigadoras de estresse na piscicultura

The aquaculture in the world and in Brazil grows at an accelerating pace. Brazil currently occupies the 17th place in the world in production of fish, but the pace of growth decelerated in recent years. If we analyze the southern region, we see a trend of stagnation with drop in production. Both in the context of growth or stagnation and decline of production, improvement in the conditions of management are a real need. When the business activity grows, there is clearly a need for intensification of production leading to various problems such as greater quantities of sewage, outbreaks of disease and use of chemicals. These problems induce the creation and deployment of Better Management Practices (BMPs) that, if well planned, will lead to environmental safety and increase quality and quantity of production. Against a background of stagnant business activity, the deployment of adjustments and improvements in production systems through the adoption of BMPs can help in the recovery of activity. In both scenarios, the classical concept of BMPs with pure environmental focus may be associated with the concept of Mitigating Measures of Stress (MMEs). This combined approach leverages both the improvement of livestock performance and economic indices of activity regarding the environmental safety. In conclusion, the close relationship between the BPMs and MMEs promotes an environment pr

A aquicultura em nível mundial e nacional cresce em ritmo acelerado. Atualmente, o Brasil ocupa o 17º lugar no mundo em produção de peixes, mas o ritmo de seu crescimento desacelerou nos últimos anos. Analisando-se a região Sul, é possível perceber uma estagnação com tendência de queda na produção. Tanto no contexto de crescimento, quanto no de estagnação e queda de produção, a melhoria das condições de manejo é uma necessidade real e irreversível. Quando a atividade aquícola cresce verifica-se a necessidade de intensificação da produção, o que acarreta vários problemas como maior quantidade de efluentes, surtos de doenças e uso de químicos. Estes problemas induzem a necessidade de criação e implantação de Boas Práticas de Manejo (BPMs) que, se bem planejadas, levarão à segurança ambiental e ao aumento quali e quantitativo da produção. Num cenário de estagnação da atividade aquícola, a implantação de ajustes e melhorias nos sistemas de produção através da adoção de BPMs pode ajudar na recuperação da atividade. Em ambos os cenários, o conceito clássico de BPMs, com enfoque ambiental puro, pode ser associado ao conceito das Medidas Mitigadoras de Estresse (MMEs). Este enfoque combinado impulsiona tanto a melhoria dos índices zootécnicos e econômicos quanto a segurança ambiental. Concluindo, a estreita relação entre as BPMs e as MMEs promove um ambiente preservado, que se constitu

Avaliação dos procedimentos de limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Passo Fundo (HV-UPF)

Os hospitais veterinários têm particularidades que os distinguem de hospitais humanos, embora os princípios básicos de limpeza e esterilização sejam os mesmos. Devido aos riscos de contaminações cruzadas e infecções, é fundamental utilizar protocolos padronizados e avaliar a eficácia dos processos empregados na limpeza e desinfecção dos ambientes hospitalares. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar os procedimentos dos funcionários e dos médicos veterinários para a limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária da UPF (HV-UPF), a qualidade microbiológica e físico-químico da água utilizada na higienização e a contaminação ambiental dos ambulatórios do HV-UPF. As análises de água indicaram padrões físico-químicos e microbiológicos adequados, ausência de coliformes termotolerantes, coliformes totais

Combined approach between better management practices and the mitigating stress management for fish culture / Enfoque combinado entre as boas práticas de manejo e as medidas mitigadoras de estresse na piscicultura

The aquaculture in the world and in Brazil grows at an accelerating pace. Brazil currently occupies the 17th place in the world in production of fish, but the pace of growth decelerated in recent years. If we analyze the southern region, we see a trend of stagnation with drop in production. Both in the context of growth or stagnation and decline of production, improvement in the conditions of management are a real need. When the business activity grows, there is clearly a need for intensification of production leading to various problems such as greater quantities of sewage, outbreaks of disease and use of chemicals. These problems induce the creation and deployment of Better Management Practices (BMPs) that, if well planned, will lead to environmental safety and increase quality and quantity of production. Against a background of stagnant business activity, the deployment of adjustments and improvements in production systems through the adoption of BMPs can help in the recovery of activity. In both scenarios, the classical concept of BMPs with pure environmental focus may be associated with the concept of Mitigating Measures of Stress (MMEs). This combined approach leverages both the improvement of livestock performance and economic indices of activity regarding the environmental safety. In conclusion, the close relationship between the BPMs and MMEs promotes an environment pr

A aquicultura em nível mundial e nacional cresce em ritmo acelerado. Atualmente, o Brasil ocupa o 17º lugar no mundo em produção de peixes, mas o ritmo de seu crescimento desacelerou nos últimos anos. Analisando-se a região Sul, é possível perceber uma estagnação com tendência de queda na produção. Tanto no contexto de crescimento, quanto no de estagnação e queda de produção, a melhoria das condições de manejo é uma necessidade real e irreversível. Quando a atividade aquícola cresce verifica-se a necessidade de intensificação da produção, o que acarreta vários problemas como maior quantidade de efluentes, surtos de doenças e uso de químicos. Estes problemas induzem a necessidade de criação e implantação de Boas Práticas de Manejo (BPMs) que, se bem planejadas, levarão à segurança ambiental e ao aumento quali e quantitativo da produção. Num cenário de estagnação da atividade aquícola, a implantação de ajustes e melhorias nos sistemas de produção através da adoção de BPMs pode ajudar na recuperação da atividade. Em ambos os cenários, o conceito clássico de BPMs, com enfoque ambiental puro, pode ser associado ao conceito das Medidas Mitigadoras de Estresse (MMEs). Este enfoque combinado impulsiona tanto a melhoria dos índices zootécnicos e econômicos quanto a segurança ambiental. Concluindo, a estreita relação entre as BPMs e as MMEs promove um ambiente preservado, que se constitu

Avaliação dos procedimentos de limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Passo Fundo (HV-UPF)

Os hospitais veterinários têm particularidades que os distinguem de hospitais humanos, embora os princípios básicos de limpeza e esterilização sejam os mesmos. Devido aos riscos de contaminações cruzadas e infecções, é fundamental utilizar protocolos padronizados e avaliar a eficácia dos processos empregados na limpeza e desinfecção dos ambientes hospitalares. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar os procedimentos dos funcionários e dos médicos veterinários para a limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária da UPF (HV-UPF), a qualidade microbiológica e físico-químico da água utilizada na higienização e a contaminação ambiental dos ambulatórios do HV-UPF. As análises de água indicaram padrões físico-químicos e microbiológicos adequados, ausência de coliformes termotolerantes, coliformes totais

Avaliação dos procedimentos de limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Passo Fundo (HV-UPF)

Os hospitais veterinários têm particularidades que os distinguem de hospitais humanos, embora os princípios básicos de limpeza e esterilização sejam os mesmos. Devido aos riscos de contaminações cruzadas e infecções, é fundamental utilizar protocolos padronizados e avaliar a eficácia dos processos empregados na limpeza e desinfecção dos ambientes hospitalares. Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar os procedimentos dos funcionários e dos médicos veterinários para a limpeza, desinfecção e biossegurança no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária da UPF (HV-UPF), a qualidade microbiológica e físico-químico da água utilizada na higienização e a contaminação ambiental dos ambulatórios do HV-UPF. As análises de água indicaram padrões físico-químicos e microbiológicos adequados, ausência de coliformes termotolerantes, coliformes totais

Salmonella and Listeria from stainless steel, polyurethane and polyethylene surfaces in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse / Salmonella and Listeria from stainless steel, polyurethane and polyethylene surfaces in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse

Background: The cleaning process in poultry slaughterhouses consists basically on the use of hot water, detergents and disinfectants. The disinfection, which is the last stage of the cleaning process, seeks to reduce the number of total microorganisms and eliminating pathogen, so that levels are kept safe for good quality products. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria are of utmost importance since they may cause foodborne diseases and consequently result in public health and economic losses in the domestic and in exporting markets. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse with capacity to process 20.000 animals per hour in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected during preoperational cleaning: before the surfaces were washed (without the removal of residues); after washing with hot water at 45 to 50C and 22.5 bar pressure; and after washing with 2% sodium hydroxide detergent. Three disinfectants were tested: 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonium and 1% biguanide, all of them for 15 min, followed by rinsing with hot water. Evaluations were made in three processing lines for cutting chicken legs at the same time and on fully randomized sites of three surfaces: stainless steel tables, polyurethane conveyors, and polyethylene cutting boards. The pre-enrichm

Background: The cleaning process in poultry slaughterhouses consists basically on the use of hot water, detergents and disinfectants. The disinfection, which is the last stage of the cleaning process, seeks to reduce the number of total microorganisms and eliminating pathogen, so that levels are kept safe for good quality products. Pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella and Listeria are of utmost importance since they may cause foodborne diseases and consequently result in public health and economic losses in the domestic and in exporting markets. Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted in the cutting room of a poultry slaughterhouse with capacity to process 20.000 animals per hour in the Southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected during preoperational cleaning: before the surfaces were washed (without the removal of residues); after washing with hot water at 45 to 50C and 22.5 bar pressure; and after washing with 2% sodium hydroxide detergent. Three disinfectants were tested: 0.5% peracetic acid, 2% quaternary ammonium and 1% biguanide, all of them for 15 min, followed by rinsing with hot water. Evaluations were made in three processing lines for cutting chicken legs at the same time and on fully randomized sites of three surfaces: stainless steel tables, polyurethane conveyors, and polyethylene cutting boards. The pre-enrichm