Bactericidal Effect of Several Chemicals on Hatching Eggs Inoculated with Salmonella serovar Typhimurium

Breeder flocks and commercial hatcheries represent an early contamination point for Salmonella entry into commercial integrated poultry operations. Utilizing effective antimicrobial treatments for hatching eggs is a critical part of reducing the incidence of Salmonella-colonized chicks on the farm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal effect of several chemicals on Salmonella-contaminated hatching eggs. Four replications (n = 10/treatment per replicate) were conducted to determine the efficacy of 7 commercially available compounds. The compounds tested were as follows: 1) hydrogen peroxide, 2) water-oil emulsion droplets stabilized by detergent, 3) peroxyacetic acid, 4) 4 quaternary ammonium compounds attached to a polymer, 5) 2 quaternary ammonium compounds, 1 biguanide compound and bronopol attached to a polymer, 6) N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and stabilized urea, and 7) polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride. A naladixic acid-resistant Salmonella serovar Typhimurium was inoculated (10³ cfu/mL) onto fertile hatching eggs by drip-inoculation. Controls included a positive control (no spray application) and a water control (spray containing water to take into account rinsing effects). Compounds 5 and 7 had a 100% reduction, and both of these chemicals included a biguanide. Compounds 4 and 3 were also effective with a 95 and 93.5% reduction, respectively. Compounds 6 and 2 were the least effective of all chemicals, with a reduction of 47.5 and 40%, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide (compound 1), which has been used by the poultry industry, had a 70% reduction, and the water control produced a 10% reduction due to the rinsing effect. Several antimicrobials tested were more effective than hydrogen peroxide. More detailed studies will be required to adequately evaluate these antimicrobials.