Distribution Channel and Microbial Characteristics of Pig By-products in Korea.

The distribution channel of meat by-products from the pig farm to the final consumer can include a meat processor, wholesale market, wholesaler, retailer, and butcher shop. Bacterial contamination at any of these steps remains to be a serious public health concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution channel and microbial characteristics of pig by-products in Korea. Upon evaluation of pig by-products in cold storage, we found that the small and large intestine were significantly (p<0.05) higher in pH value compared to the heart and liver. The total plate counts were not significantly different among offals until cold storage for 7 d. The coliform count after 1 d of cold storage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in small and large intestine than in the other organs. The coliform count of heart, liver, and stomach showed a higher coliform count than small and large intestine until 7 d of cold storage. As determined by 16S rRNA sequencing, contamination of major pig by-products with Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., and other bacterial species occurred. Therefore, our results suggest that a more careful washing process is needed to maintain quality and hygiene and to ensure the safety of pig by-products, especially for small and large intestine.

Introduction

Slaughterhouses generate a significant amount of solid (skin, heart, liver, intestine, etc.) and liquid (blood) by-products. In Korea, 14,039,960 pigs were slaughtered in 2012 (MFDS, 2013). Some pig by-products are processed by renderers, and many pig by-products are served at Korean restaurants as popular food products.

The yield of edible blood and organs from cattle is 12%. When pork rinds are included, the yield is 14% for hogs (Fornias, 1996). Animal by-products such as blood, liver, lung, heart, kidney, brains, spleen, and tripe have good nutritive value (Anderson, 1988; Honikel, 2011) and constitute part of the diet in different countries worldwide (Nollet and Toldrá, 2011). The protein content of all by-products is 15-22% with few exceptions (Honikel, 2011). Animal liver is very rich in vitamins (Kim, 2011), while liver and kidney contain a wide variety of minerals and trace elements (García-Llatas ), although cholesterol content in these organs is quite high (Bragagnolo, 2011). For instance, vitamin A content may be 20,000 retinol equivalents/μg in pork heart (Honikel, 2011). Liver and spleen provide concentrations of vitamin C that are equivalent to or higher than those in apples and near the range of citrus fruits (Souci ). Bovine blood consists of 80.9% water, 17.3% protein, 0.23% lipid, 0.0% carbohydrate, and 0.62% minerals (Duarte ). Blood proteins, especially those found in the plasma fraction, have relevant properties, such as gelation, foaming, and emulsification, which have prompted the use of blood-derived products as value-added ingredients in the food industry and as dietary supplements (Ofori and Hsieh, 2011). For example, fractionated plasma proteins such as immunoglobulins, fibrinogen, and serum albumin may be added to food and feed ingredients because of their gelation and emulsification properties (Cofrades ). Some plasma proteins have shown good cross-linking ability and protease inhibitory activity (Kang and Lanier, 1999). They have also been used to enrich products such as pasta with protein (Yousif ).

All pig by-products are processed and washed with tap water in Korea. However, variation in the quality of pig by-products such as entrails is higher within companies, which mostly distribute them in a frozen state. Therefore, the two objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution channel of pig by-products and the microbial characteristics of washed and packed pig by-products during storage at 4℃.

Materials and Methods

Distribution channel

The investigation of the distribution channel of Korean meat by-products was performed by visiting three major companies involved in meat by-product handling and storage.

Sampling

Pig by-products were obtained from pigs slaughtered at the meat plant of National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) using standard procedures of NIAS-RDA, Korea. The pigs have been laraged during for 6 hr after transport. An electrical stunner was used to stun the pigs which were then slaughtered. Pig by-products had been collected after bleeding, scalding, dehairing, washing, skinning and evisceration. Pig by-products, such as heart, kidney, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine were washed with tap water. By-products were packed in polyethylene bags and stored at 4℃ for 1, 3, 7, or 10 d.

pH and microbiological analysis

All samples (3 g) were homogenized using a poly-tron homogenizer (T25basic, IKA, Malaysia) with distilled water (27 mL). The pH was measured using a pH-meter (S20K, Mettler Toledo, Swiss).

The total plate counts, coliforms counts, and Salmonella spp. counts for pig by-products were determined following the procedures of Korea Food & Drug Administration (KFDA) Food Code (2008). Twenty-five grams of small intestine were diluted in 225 mL of peptone water (1 g/L peptone) and homogenized for 1 min at normal speed in a stomacher (400 VW, Bag Mixer, France). Samples were rinsed with peptone water (1:9 dilution), and the rinse was then diluted ten-fold. The colonies that formed on the plates were counted and expressed as log colony forming units/g (CFU/g). Another 25 g were diluted in 225 mL of peptone water for the isolation of coliforms. For the quantification of coliforms, samples were plated onto dry, rehydratable media (3MTM PetrifilmTM EC/CC Plates; 3M Microbiology) in duplicate and incubated for 24 h at 37℃.

Salmonella spp. were detected in 4 steps (KFDA, 2008). Pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water at 37℃ for 16-20 h was followed by enrichment in Rappaport-Vassiliadis (RV) (Becton, Dickinson and Company, Sparks, USA) broth incubated at 42℃ for 24 h. The isolation was done on xylose lysine desoxycholate (XLD, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Sparks, USA) agar at 37℃ for 24 h. The colonies on XLD agar plates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

DNA extraction from suspected Salmonella spp. was carried out on colonies on XLD agar plates with 5% boiling resin (100 μL) (143-2832, Bio-Rad, USA) and 20 μL of solGent Taq buffer (50 mL + proteinase K 1 g) (PPK 403-1, Bioshop, Canada). The 16S rRNA was amplified using the universal primers (27F and 1492R). PCR conditions consisted of 1 cycle at 95℃ for 15 min to denature DNA followed by 30 cycles of 20 s at 95℃, 40 s at 60℃, and 90 s at 72℃ and an additional cycle at 72℃ for 5 min as a final chain elongation. Amplified DNA was analyzed using a DNA analyzer (ABI 3730XL, Applied Biosystems, USA). Sequence similarity searches were carried out using the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) program at NCBI (Loffer ).

Statistical analysis

The experiment was repeated three times. Data were collected for the determination of pH, total plate counts, and coliforms counts. Analysis was conducted using a 1- way ANOVA and SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., USA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range tests to determine the significance of differences between treatments (p<0.05).

Results and Discussion

Fig. 1 shows the distribution channel of Korean pig by-products. Meat by-products are distributed from the pig farm to the final consumer through a meat processor or wholesale market, wholesaler, retailer, and butcher shop. The supply from the farm to the wholesaler takes place in two channels: meat processors (65.8%) and the wholesale market (34.2%). The wholesaler supplies the retailer or chain store. The retailer then supplies the chain store, butcher shop, and restaurant. Therefore, distribution to the final consumer is a 4-5 step process. Most meat by-products are distributed by wholesalers in bulk packaging. However, they are distributed to the consumer after retail packaging with wrap and polystyrene boxes. After visiting facilities that store meat by-products, we found that exterior qualities, such as color, springiness, and freshness are important for the sale of meat by-products to consumers at retail shops.

Fig. 1.

The distribution channel of pig by-products in Korea.

Our visiting research results suggested that the exterior quality of meat by-products is related to hygiene. In addition, we found that industrial sites were in need of technology for cleaning, packing, and storage. Therefore, more research is needed on the pig by-products processing and distribution technology.

pH

Table 1 shows the changes in pH of pig by-products during cold storage. The white viscera with small and large intestine exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher pH than the red viscera with heart and liver during cold storage. The pH value of white viscera with small and large intestine increased linearly with increasing cold storage time. After 7 d of cold storage, pH levels of the white viscera with small and large intestine was favorable for microbial growth. However, pH levels of red viscera with heart and liver remained below 7 until the 10th day of cold storage. This result suggests that stomach, small intestine, and large intestine require more careful cleaning than the other pig by-products because of the difficulty in maintaining freshness of pig by-products at a pH of 7 or greater.

Table 1.

Changes in pH of pig by-products during cold storage at 4℃

Items	Storage time (day)				SEM
	1	3	7	10
Heart	6.30Dc	6.61Bab	6.56Bbc	6.83Ba	0.06
Liver	6.53Ca	6.51Ba	6.47Ba	6.06Cb	0.04
Stomach	6.79Bb	6.95Ab	7.15Aa	7.18Aa	0.04
Small intestine	6.84ABc	6.88Ac	7.11Ab	7.31Aa	0.04
Large intestine	6.96Ab	7.00Aab	7.09Aab	7.18Aa	0.04
SEM	0.04	0.04	0.05	0.07

A-DMeans with different superscripts within a same column differ significantly (p<0.05).

a-cMeans with different superscripts within a same row differ significantly (p<0.05).

Finally, pH in living muscle is near 7.0 and drops to 5.5-5.6 within 24 h after slaughtering. High final pH values result when the animals are exhausted during transportation (Becerril-Herrera, 2009). In most meat by-products, pH remains high after slaughtering, allowing microbial spoilage to take place. Therefore, pH is a determining factor of by-product spoilage.

Microbiological characteristics

To determine and quantify bacterial contamination of pig by-products, we cultured samples of products in cold storage for various durations. Table 2 shows the changes in total plate counts of pig by-products during cold storage. The total plate counts did not vary significantly among offals until cold storage for 7 d. However, the red viscera with liver and stomach had significantly (p<0.05) lower total plate counts than the white viscera with small and large intestine after cold storage for 10 d. The initial total plate counts from the large intestine were higher than those from the other organs. After cold storage for 3 d, total plate counts from stomach, small and large intestine were higher than those from the heart and liver. This result suggests that stomach, small and large intestine required more careful cleaning than the other pig by-products, presumably because stomach, small intestine, and large intestine require a lot of cleaning for the removal of blood, indigestible feed, feces, etc.

Table 2.

Changes in total plate counts (CFU/g) of pig by-products during cold storage at 4℃

Items	Storage time (day)				SEM
	1	3	7	10
Heart	0×101b	8.89×101b	4.13×103ab	1.60×104Ba	2,367.35
Liver	4.44×102b	0×101b	1.73×104ab	1.50×105ABa	24,976.22
Stomach	4.44×101b	6.19×103b	1.48×105a	1.86×104Bb	20,832.58
Small intestine	4.17×102b	6.40×104b	2.21×105ab	3.72×105Aa	50,176.18
Large intestine	7.64×103	1.76×104	5.77×105	1.60×105AB	114,748.89
SEM	1,275	10,976	111,379	40,797

A-BMeans with different superscripts within a same column differ significantly (p<0.05).

a-bMeans with different superscripts within a same row differ significantly (p<0.05).

Table 3 shows the changes in coliform counts of pig by-products during cold storage. The coliform count after 1 d of cold storage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in small and large intestine than in the other organs. The coliform count of red viscera with heart, liver, and stomach showed lower coliform counts than white viscera with small and large intestine until 7 d of cold storage. Particularly, the heart sample was lower in coliform count than the other samples for the duration of cold storage. The coliform counts from small and large intestine were 103-104 CFU/g for the duration of cold storage. Conversely, our results indicate that edible storage of the heart and liver is appropriate until 7 d of cold storage the perspective of coliform levels. Coliform counts from white viscera with small and large intestine are unacceptable after 1 d of cold storage.

Table 3.

Changes in coliforms (CFU/g) pig by-products during cold storage at 4℃

Items	Storage time (day)				SEM
	1	3	7	10
Heart	0×101Ba	0×101a	3.12×102a	1.78×102a	63.38
Liver	0×101Bb	0×101b	8.89×102b	1.38×104a	1,960.73
Stomach	4.89×102B	4.91×103	1.36×103	3.64×102	1,132.93
Small intestine	2.10×103AB	4.38×104	1.28×104	5.10×104	11,616.74
Large intestine	5.77×103Ab	1.15×104ab	1.26×104ab	3.25×104a	4,296.73
SEM	667.9	7,691	2,425	8,785

A-BMeans with different superscripts within a same column differ significantly (p<0.05).

a-bMeans with different superscripts within a same row differ significantly (p<0.05).

The organs of livestock should be removed within 30 min of bleeding, but they usually remain with the carcass until that time. Bijker (1981) illustrated a drastic increase in the bacterial growth curve when products were stored at 4℃ compared to that of similar products stored at 2℃. Even at 2℃, bacterial numbers were altered during 5 d of storage of beef, pork, and lamb organs, as reported by Hanna . The freezing of liver, kidney, and heart for 4 d did not significantly decrease the bacterial numbers in these products (Hanna ). These previous studies demonstrate that the reduction of initially high bacterial numbers is very important for shelflife extension of animal by-products.

Tables 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 show bacterial strains that most closely match 16S rRNA sequences detected in major pig by-products. Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, S. sonnei, and other species were identified in samples of heart, liver, and stomach (Table 4, 5, and 6). E. coli, S. flexneri, and other species were identified in samples of small intestine (Table 7). We determined that Citrobacter freundii, E. coli, Gamma proteobacterium, Klebsiella pneumonia, K. variicola, S. boydii, S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, and other species were present in large intestine samples. (Table 8). From these results, we determined that contamination of major pig by-products with E. coli, Shigella spp., and other species occurred. This result suggests that various bacteria were related cross contamination during processing.

Table 4.

Closest species of 16S rRNA sequence similarities from bacterial strains isolated from pig heart

Strain	Closest species	Accession no.	Similarity (%)	Length (bp)
P33	Escherichia coli	JN578644	99	1538
HDDMG04	Shigella sonnei	EU723820	99	1507
4096	Shigella sp.	FJ405324	99	1503

Table 5.

Closest species of 16S rRNA sequence similarities from bacterial strains isolated from pig liver

Strain	Closest species	Accession no.	Similarity (%)	Length (bp)
P33	Escherichia coli	JN578644	99	1538
HDDMG04	Shigella sonnei	EU723820	99	1507
4096	Shigella sp.	FJ405324	99	1503

Table 6.

Closest species of 16S rRNA sequence similarities from bacterial strains isolated from pig stomach

Strain	Closest species	Accession no.	Similarity (%)	Length (bp)
LW1655F+	Escherichia coli	AY616658	100	1517
131	Escherichia coli	JN180964	98	1505
203	Escherichia coli	JN180969	98	1505
FBD002	Shigella flexneri	EU009187	99	1542
29	Shigella sp.	GU968176	99	1505

Table 7.

Closest species of 16S rRNA sequence similarities from bacterial strains isolated from pig small-intestine

Strain	Closest species	Accession no.	Similarity (%)	Length (bp)
No22	Escherichia coli	AB604197	99	1511
160	Escherichia coli	JN180967	99	1505
Y31	Escherichia coli	JN578646	99	1538
K176	Escherichia coli	JN644544	99	1529
LW1655F+	Escherichia coli	AY616658	99	1517
WAB1911	Escherichia coli	AM184252	99	1482
HDDMG05	Escherichia coli	EU723821	99	1512
123	Escherichia coli	JF910107	99	1498
ATCC 43893	Escherichia coli	HM194886	99	1501
DP170	Escherichia coli	JF895181	99	1500
114	Escherichia coli	JN180963	99	1505
203	Escherichia coli	JN180969	99	1505
Acj 212	Escherichia coli	AB480776	99	1508
JCM 24008	Escherichia coli	AB548581	99	1497
NBRC 13891	Escherichia coli	AB680517	99	1467
MMG 3b	Escherichia coli	JN162443	99	1483
E52	Shigella flexneri	HQ407229	99	1525
E55	Shigella flexneri	HQ407232	99	1506
E58	Shigella flexneri	HQ407235	99	1523
29	Shigella sp.	GU968176	99	1505

Table 8.

Closest species of 16S rRNA sequence similarities from bacterial strains isolated from pig large-intestine

Strain	Closest species	Accession no.	Similarity (%)	Length (bp)
J49	Bacterium	GQ165512	99	1479
H1	Citrobacter freundii	FJ768455	99	1549
11	Citrobacter freundii	DQ294288	99	1534
6	Citrobacter freundii	DQ444289	99	1534
7	Citrobacter freundii	DQ294285	99	1534
CDC 621-64	Citrobacter freundii	AF025365	99	1523
JCM 24061	Citrobacter freundii	AB548826	99	1497
KWB09-600	Escherichia albertii	HM194877	99	1501
SYW001	Escherichia coli	EF620921	99	1505
PGB 01	Escherichia coli	HM486679	99	1506
Y38	Escherichia coli	JN578647	99	1538
MMG 3b	Escherichia coli	JN162443	99	1483
131	Escherichia coli	JN180964	99	1505
C2	Escherichia coli	AF403733	99	1507
Acj 212	Escherichia coli	AB480776	99	1508
Y31	Escherichia coli	JN578646	98	1538
No22	Escherichia coli	AB604197	98	1511
SSCT59	Gamma proteobacterium	AB210976	99	1500
SSCT62	Gamma proteobacterium	AB210973	99	1506
319	Klebsiella pneumoniae	AB513734	99	1501
211	Klebsiella pneumoniae	GQ259887	99	1503
T89	Klebsiella pneumoniae	HQ407264	99	1522
D3S	Klebsiella sp.	GU259534	99	1533
C109	Klebsiella variicola	HQ407284	99	1548
5216-70	Shigella boydii	AY696668	98	1499
FBD015	Shigella dysenteriae	EU009186	98	1542
FBD014	Shigella dysenteriae	EU009185	98	1542
FBD002	Shigella flexneri	EU009187	99	1542
E58	Shigella flexneri	HQ407235	99	1523
E55	Shigella flexneri	HQ407232	99	1506
E52	Shigella flexneri	HQ407229	99	1525
AU65	Shigellasonnei	EF032687	99	1505

Offal of certain animals may be unsafe to consume. Some animal intestines are very high in coliform bacteria and need to be washed and cooked thoroughly to be safe for eating. In conclusion, our results suggest that a careful washing process is needed for pig by-products prior to storage to maintain quality and hygiene and ensure safety, particularly for small and large intestine products.