A Rapid Method for the Aseptic Collection of Tissue

Abstract

The existing methods of collecting muscle tissue samples, with a low microbial level, have many disadvantages which make them impractical for many research facilities. A procedure is described for obtaining 100 g samples of tissue containing very low microbial levels. The procedure consists of using a sterile coring device to remove samples deep within the longissimus dorsi muscle. The deeper tissue contains little, if any, bacterial counts since air contamination has not occurred. Of the 48 pork samples collected, 34% were found to be sterile(< 1 organism/g) and 64% had a level of ≤ 5 microorganisms per gram. Of the 23 beef samples collected, 22% were sterile (< 1 organism/g) and 74% had a contamination of ≤5 microorganisms per gram. With this procedure, a researcher with modest facilities can examine changes that occur in muscle tissue caused by specific microorganisms, enzymes and other treatments.