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Identification of Cultivable and Non-Cultivable Bacteria in Broiler Chickens Using Biochemical and Molecular Techniques: A Novel Approach to Food Safety Management
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Fatemeh Khakinahad   , Nima Bahador * |
| Department of Microbiology, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran |
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Abstract: |
Microbial contamination of poultry carcasses represents a major challenge in food safety. The presence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) pathogens in meat products—due to their resistance to environmental stressors—poses a potential threat to public health. Detection of these bacteria through culture-independent methods plays a crucial role in food safety monitoring. This study aimed to identify both culturable and non-culturable bacterial strains in packaged and unpackaged chicken meat sold in Bavanat County, using classical and molecular techniques, with a focus on stress-related genes RpoS and OxyR. A total of 100 fresh and frozen chicken samples from various brands were collected. Bacterial isolation was performed using selective media and biochemical tests. Genomic DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted using universal 16S rRNA primers and specific primers targeting the stress-related genes. PCR products were analysed via agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing. The results revealed that Escherichia coli (20%) and Staphylococcus spp. (16%) were the most prevalent Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Non-culturable isolates included Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter, and Acinetobacter. The presence of RpoS and OxyR genes in some isolates confirmed their ability to enter the VBNC state and resist stressful conditions. These findings indicate that chicken meat sold in Bavanat harbours a diverse range of pathogenic bacteria, which may pose a serious risk to consumer health. The identification of VBNC strains and stress-related genes underscores the importance of employing culture-independent methods in poultry meat safety surveillance.
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| Keywords: Chicken, non-culturable bacteria, culturable bacteria, polymerase chain reaction, Rpos, oxyR. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
General
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