Change is necessary in a biological engineering curriculum.

Success of a Biological Engineering undergraduate educational program can be measured in a number of ways, but however it is measured, a presently successful program can translate into an unsuccessful program if it cannot adjust to different conditions posed by technical advances, student characteristics, and academic pressures. Described in this paper is a Biological Engineering curriculum that has changed significantly since its transformation from Agricultural Engineering in 1993. As a result, student numbers have continued to climb, specific objectives have emerged, and unique courses have been developed. The Biological Resources Engineering program has evolved into a program that emphasizes breadth, fundamentals, communications skills, diversity, and practical engineering judgment.

Serial disinfection with heat and chlorine to reduce microorganism populations on poultry transport containers.

A prototype system for the cleaning and decontamination of poultry transport containers was previously developed and evaluated as a means of eliminating foodborne pathogens entering poultry processing plants. While decontamination of the containers once with the use of either hot water (up to 70 degrees C) or sodium hypochlorite (up to 1,000 ppm) resulted in significant reductions in the numbers of coliforms and the elimination of small numbers of Salmonella, complete removal of pathogens was not attained. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether repeated decontamination of the same containers could eliminate coliforms and Salmonella consistently. Individual five-tier containers consisting of galvanized steel frames and fiberglass floors were identified (n = 6) and decontaminated once per day for five consecutive days after being used to haul broilers from farms to the processing plant. Two types of containers were tested in this study: one had previously been used for broiler transportation, and the other had new floors. After each transport, the containers were first precleaned with a cleaning agent using a high-pressure jet (6,094 kPa) to remove debris and to loosen biofilms from surfaces. The containers were then immersed in an aqueous solution of 1,000 ppm of sodium hypochlorite at 70 degrees C for 2 min. Samples obtained from the container surfaces before and after each cleaning and decontamination were analyzed to obtain coliform and Salmonella counts. Coliforms were completely eliminated from both types of containers following one decontamination treatment. Because no Salmonella were detected on the containers, the effect of decontamination in the elimination of Salmonella was not determined. Similar treatments on five successive days also resulted in poultry transport containers that were essentially free of Salmonella and coliforms. This decontamination system involving a combination of heat and sodium hypochlorite can be used as a standard method for cleaning poultry transport containers in the poultry industry. It is recommended that such containers be cleaned after each use to avoid the potential risk of a buildup of significantly higher loads of pathogenic microorganisms and their biofilms.