Environmental reservoirs of psychrotrophic meat spoilage fungi

Summary

The numbers of psychrotrophic fungi in various environments have been investigated as these fungi are potential meat spoilage organisms, carried into the freezing works on stock awaiting slaughter. Of a number of soils examined, those from urban and high-altitude areascontained the fewest psychrotrophic fungi. In rural soil samples the total psychrotrophic fungal population varied with the stocking intensity in the paddocks from which samples were obtained. Highest fungal counts were obtained for soils from stockyards. Cowhair, wool,and sheepskin all contained a variety of psychrotrophic species in moderate numbers.

A total of 17 mould and 6 yeast species were cultured, Cladosporium cladosporioides being the most frequent mould and Torulopsis Candida the most frequent yeast. Several of the species demonstrated in soils and on stock were also present in the air.