Comparison of Various Types of Cutting Boards in Bacterial Contamination

Abstract

The goal of this research was to compare contamination rates or recovery of bacterial contaminations on four types of cutting boards (CBs). Total plate count was performed after applying food for 15 minutes.The contamination of plastic boards was greater than wooden CBs for meat and chicken. On the contrary ,application of vegetables showed contamination rate on wooden more than plastic boards. Results also indicated high contamination rate on glass CBs of chicken. Finally stainless steel showed the same degree of contamination with respect to the three types of food applied.Experimental contamination with E.coli and Salmonella spp. interestingly revealed that contaminated wooden boards with E.coli gave a recovery of less than half the CFU in the control after 5 minutes, and growth was ceased after 15 minutes. Contamination of wooden CBs with Salmonella spp. showed a decrease of CFU after 5 minutes. On the other hand, plastic boards had a high recovery rate after 5 minutes. Results of this study strongly recommends using wooden CBs for a more safe and hygienic nutrition