Removing of central nervous tissues from dressed carcasses: Washing with a low concentration of lactic acid in spraying cabinet

The efficiency of using lactic acid (LA) as a surface decontaminator for carcasses contaminated with spinal chord (SC) tissues was evaluated. Four representative places with surface area of 5 × 5 cm, were marked on the inner side of the porcine carcasses. 0.200 μl of 0.5% SC solution was applied to each marked area and separately washed in a specially designed spraying cabinet, which comprises 15 nozzles adjusted to spray 1% LA or tap water with a scatter pressure of 0.49 MPa. Samples were collected after washing for 15, 30, 60 and 90 s and analyzed by Ridascreen kit ELISA test. 1% LA reduces the SC materials to pre-contaminated levels while having negligible effect on the color of carcasses. Furthermore washing with LA insignificantly reduced the total microbial counts. Using very low concentration of LA (1%) in production lines of slaughter houses may help to decontaminate the carcasses to some extent without having adverse impact on quality attributes.