![Sample our Food Science & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5936/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Food-Science-Technology.jpg"})
Abstract
Sanitation conditions in two salmon roe processing operations were evaluated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays using a portable luminometer and single-use reaction swabs. The bioluminescent reaction provided real-time testing (< 1 min) when compared to standard microbiological analyses (48-72 hr). The ATP assay was quicker and more sensitive than a rapid protein assay (10 min) in detecting presence of biological contamination. High levels of ATP indicated the presence of fish residues and/or bacteria on processing surfaces. The ATP values correlated well with aerobic bacterial counts but the protein values were poorly correlated with either data set. Luminometry showed the effect of proper cleaning and sanitizing between the seafood processing plants tested. A common reservoir of bacterial contamination was the plastic baskets used for transferring salmon roe between sorting, grading, washing and packing stations. The handheld luminometer is suitable as a rapid quality control tool for seafood processors.