Quantitative characterization and effective inactivation of biological hazards in struvite recovered from digested poultry slurry

Struvite formed from digested poultry slurries can serve as an alternative to chemical fertilizers; however, the biological safety of such products is questionable. Therefore, quantification and inactivation foodborne pathogens existing in struvite are important. Herein, dynamics pathogens' (Streptococcus faecalis, S. typhimurium, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli) living status, whether culturable viable but non-culturable (VBNC) struvite, were quantified for first time. Meanwhile, technologies, namely high-humidity hot air impingement blanching (HHAIB), cold plasma, treatment, evaluated compared their potential inactivate/kill struvite. An increase precipitation pH 9.0 11.0 decreased count 75 86% 7–20%, while VBNC pathogen counts increased 16 24% 35–55%. Among tested HHAIB treatment at 130 °C 120 s killed approximately 68–79% precipitated 9.0. 57–68% after s. with different technologies did not change its crystalline structure; it reduced functional group abundance. further research on required achieve better reduction efficiency make a biologically safe fertilizer crop production.