Studies on Sarcocystis species VII: the effect of temperature on the viability of macrocysts (Sarcocystis gigantea) of sheep

Authors: Collins GH, Charleston WAG
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 28, Issue 9, pp 189-191, Sep 1980
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Muscle/myology, Disease/defect, Parasites - internal, Protozoa, Infectious disease, Species description
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Survival of Sarcocystis gigantea macrocysts was studied using an oxygen electrode and by feeding to cats. Macrocysts were viable after 10 minutes at 52.5°C but not after 20 minutes at 55°C or 10 minutes at 60°C. Macrocysts survived 60 days at -14°C and infected cats. After storage at 10°C for 13 days and 4°C for 20 days macrocysts still metabolised vigorously. Treatment of sheep meat at 60°C for at least 20 minutes should render it non-infective for cats.

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