Positive modulation of meat microbial ecology by feeding strategies

Résumé 0

The objective of this work was to determine if it is possible to modulate carcass/meat contamination by feeding farm animals with a diet supplemented with a protective culture, here Carnobacterium maltaromaticum CB1/UAL307 producing three bacteriocins, including carnocyclin A. A total of 144 weaned Grimaud female rabbits (a commercial meat breed) were divided into two feeding groups: 1) a control commercial diet and 2) the same diet supplemented with Micocin®, a commercial preparation of C. maltaromaticum CB1, at a final concentration of 8-log CFU (Colony Forming Unit) per kg of feed. Rabbits were fed their respective diet until they reached a commercial slaughter weight of 2.2 kg. Presence of C. maltaromaticum producing carnocyclin A was confirmed by PCR amplification for three specific genes. Its prevalence was greater in faeces, on thighs and in ground meat from rabbits fed the ration supplemented with Micocin®. These results demonstrate that the microflora of the feed can influence the organisms contaminating the end products and emphasized the importance of providing farm animals with high microbial quality feed and hygienic conditions to grow.