Reducing Campylobacter jejuni, Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic bacteria on transport crates for chickens by irradiation with 265-nm ultraviolet light (UV–C LED)

It is critical to maintain low levels of microbes in the whole food production chain. Due high speed slaughter, lack time, and structural characteristics crates, sufficient cleaning disinfection crates used for transporting chickens abattoirs a challenge. Inadequately cleaned transport broiler caused major outbreak campylobacteriosis Sweden 2016–2017, when contaminated introduced Campylobacter during thinning. This study evaluated antibacterial efficacy 265-nm ultraviolet (UV–C) LED light on artificially chicken crates. In laboratory study, crate with cecum contents was irradiated UV-C by continuous array treatment cabinet. The sampled 52 times cotton swabs before after 1 min (20.4 mJ/cm2) 3 (61.2 mJ/cm2). swab samples were analysed jejuni (C. jejuni), bacteria belonging family Enterobacteriaceae, total aerobic bacteria. After irradiation min, mean reduction C. log 2.0 ± 0.5 CFU/mL observed, while 3.1 1.0 CFU/mL. Enterobacteriaceae 1.5 0.3 1.8 0.8 min. 1.4 0.4 1.6 Significant reductions bacterial load observed all extending time from significantly increased jejuni. However, implementation commercial abattoirs, unit would need be extended and/or washing procedure treatment, reduce amount organic matter improved.