Drying broiler transport cages reduces Campylobacter

Broiler transport cage drying and the application of a dry treatment (absorbent cornstarch powder) have been shown in poultry research to diminish the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter on transport cages.

BigStockPhoto.com, decade3d
BigStockPhoto.com, decade3d

Broiler transport cage drying and the application of a dry treatment (absorbent cornstarch powder) have been shown in poultry research to diminish the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter on transport cages.

Broiler transport cages soiled with Campylobacter-positive feces have been shown to facilitate cross-contamination of broilers. In two previous articles, we have discussed the importance of the cage contamination and that washing and sanitizing cage surfaces do not always effectively eliminate this foodborne pathogen.

The objective of this analysis is to evaluate drying time as a means of reducing or eliminating the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter from 5x5 cm squares of fiberglass flooring from transport cages that were intentionally contaminated with 1g of Campylobacter-positive broiler gut contents. The following results were observed in the research:

  • Immediately after inoculation, approximately 7.3 log colony forming units (CFUs) Campylobacter per 25 cm2 were detected.
  • After 15 minutes drying time, Campylobacter counts were reduced to 5.7 log.
  • After two hours drying time, counts were 5.6 log of Campylobacter.
  • After four hours drying time, counts were reduced to 2.9 log of Campylobacter.
  • After 24 hours, Campylobacter could not be detected.

Faster broiler transport cage drying technique

Campylobacter organisms are sensitive to dry stress. Allowing feces left on transport cage flooring to dry during extended periods of nonuse would be an effective method to reduce or in 24 hours, eliminate, viable Campylobacter left by positive flocks.

The problem with relying on extended periods of nonuse is that poultry processors do not have the time, space or resources to maintain several times the minimum required number of transport cages. The current design of transport dump cages commonly used in the United States does not lend itself to removal and replacement of the floor for separate washing or drying.

Therefore, it was hypothesized that a technique to reduce the amount of time required to dry fecal matter and apply stress to Campylobacter on broiler chicken transport cages may be helpful.

Absorbent cornstarch powder tested

An absorbent cornstarch powder was applied to the broiler chicken transport cage flooring to draw water out of the feces, thereby hastening the onset of bacterial death. The Figure shows the results of the following Campylobacter reduction treatments:

  • drying time alone
  • cornstarch alone
  • spray washing
  • spray washing plus the application of cornstarch

Campylobacter-following-spray-washing-and-drying

Mean log colony-forming units of Campylobacter recovered from soiled cage flooring following spray wash and corn starch treatments

Application of cornstarch and spray washing

While Campylobacter were not detected on control or treated floor samples after 24 hours drying time, the following results were obtained after 15 minutes of the treatments:

  • Cornstarch alone resulted in the same level of CFUs as the unwashed control
  • Spray washing decreased numbers by greater than 90 percent
  • A combination of washing followed by corn starch decreased numbers by 99.9 percent or 3 logs

In this trial, combining spray washing and cornstarch application for 15 minutes decreased Campylobacter as much as four hours of drying time.

It would seem that washing followed by an absorbent powder could be helpful to aid in the desiccation-caused death of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter on broiler chicken transport cage flooring should a short turnaround time be necessary.

 

Learn more:

Campylobacter can be spread in broiler transport coops, www.WATTAgNet.com/articles/26749 

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