An Electron Microscope Study of Gram-negative Nonmotile Microorganisms Isolated from Radurized and Nonradurized Poultry.

Gram-negative microorganisms isolated from fresh poultry stored at refrigerated temperatures 2-10C have been subjected to electron microscope examination. The study was prompted by a number of nonmotile, gram-negative rods isolated from fresh poultry in a previous investigation which appeared to be identical to the motile cells of Pseudomonas putrefaciens in 50 of 51 tests. The one test that was in disagreement was motility. Since motility is one of the key tests in the scheme of classification of gram-negative microorganisms found on refrigerated meat, poultry, and fish at spoilage, it was important to determine that these nonmotile cells were not flagellated or flagellated, but paralyzed.