Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium inoculated on chicken by aqueous chlorine dioxide treatment

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium was evaluated on inoculated chicken by aqueous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment. Chicken samples were inoculated with 6-7 log CFU/g of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium, respectively. The chicken samples were then treated with 0, 50, and 100 ppm of ClO2 solution and stored at 4 +/- 1 degrees C. Aqueous ClO2 treatment decreased the populations of the pathogenic bacteria on the chicken breast and drumstick. In particular, 100 ppm ClO2 treatment on the chicken breast and drumstick reduced Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium by 1.00-1.27 and 1.37-1.44 log CFU/g, respectively. Aqueous ClO2 treatment on the growth of the bacteria was continuously in effect during storage, resulting in the decrease of the populations of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium. These results suggest that aqueous ClO2 treatment should be useful in improving the microbial safety of chicken during storage.