Extreme Heat Resistance of Food Borne PathogensCampylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, andSalmonella typhimuriumon Chicken Breast Fillet during Cooking
The aim of this research was to determine the decimal reduction times of bacteria present on chicken fillet in boiling water. The experiments were conducted withCampylobacter jejuni, Salmonella, andEscherichia coli. Whole chicken breast fillets were inoculated with the pathogens, stored overnight (4∘C), and subsequently cooked. The surface temperature reached70∘Cwithin 30 sec and85∘Cwithin one minute. Extremely high decimal reduction times of 1.90, 1.97, and 2.20 min were obtained forC. jejuni, E. coli, andS. typhimurium, respectively. Chicken meat and refrigerated storage before cooking enlarged the heat resistance of the food borne pathogens. Additionally, a high challenge temperature or fast heating rate contributed to the level of heat resistance. The data were used to assess the probability of illness (campylobacteriosis) due to consumption of chicken fillet as a function of cooking time. The data revealed that cooking time may be far more critical than previously assumed.