Inactivation of Salmonella and avian pathogens on hatchery eggs using gas phase hydroxyl-radical process vs formaldehyde fumigation: Efficacy, hatching performance and grow-out of Chickens

• DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105023
• Publication Date: 2025-03-11T00:08:42Z
• Authors: Harleen Kaur Dhillon; Mahdiyeh Hasani; Brenda Zai; Kathryn Yip; Lara Jane Warriner; Ivy Mutai; Belinda Wang; Michael Clark; Sudhakar Bhandare; Keith Warriner
• Keywords: Hatchery

Hatcheries have been identified as a significant source of Salmonella within poultry production. Consequently, there is need for effective egg disinfection methods that can reduce the pathogen burden while preserving integrity and embryo. The metrics successful method are typically reduction in Total Aerobic Count (TAC) retaining hatching rates. In this study, gas phase hydroxyl-radical process was validated verified hatchery method. based on applying hydrogen peroxide mist combination with ozone UV-C to generate antimicrobial hydroxyl radicals. treatment (2 % peroxide, 20 ppm 19 mJ/cm2 UV-C; designated HR) inactivating (serotypes Enteritidis Typhimurium) inoculated onto eggs could eliminate (>5 log CFU/egg reduction) but left residual TAC (1.53 reduction). Surface sterilization achieved by pre-treatment photo-catalyst riboflavin (13.75 mM) followed 3 delivered at 70 °C prior (3 114 HRS). surface coincided removal cuticle layer HRS not HR. also compromised formaldehyde treatment. When different treatments were applied fertile (n=50 per group), no difference rate (64-74 %), hatch fertility being higher disinfected (89-97 %) compared non-treated control (80 %). seven-day mortality (0 - 2 birds) feed conversion ratio (1.59 1.75 kg/kg feed) did significantly differ between treated vs controls. HR Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli although required inactivate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Aspergillus niger spores (3.08±2.25 CFU study has provided options alternative