The effect of cold water chilling, hydrogen peroxide solution and ozone therapy in reducing microbial load of poultry carcasses

The study was carried out to determine the reducing microbial load status of broiler carcasses throughout of cold water chilling, hydrogen peroxide solution and ozone therapy. A total number of 45 broilers carcasses from automatic poultry slaughter plant in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province taken from one batch (The same flock) and it was expected to have a high degree of similarity after complete preparation (Slaughtering-scalding-defeathring evisceration) and just before placing in the chillers. Fifteen carcasses were placed in the ordinary chiller containing cold water for 60 min, other 15 were placed in another similar chiller containing aqueous solution of 0.2% hydrogen peroxide and others were treated by ozone (7 mg per min) for the same time period. Total colony count, mould and yeast count, coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus counts were determined in all groups. The reduction percent in the microbial counts were detected. The result showed that highly significant reduction in the numbers of total colony count, coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus count and non significant decrease in the total mould and yeast count in comparison with the untreated ones. Data from this study showed that hydrogen peroxide and ozone therapy induced microbial. Additionally illustrate a very high reduction percent in the total counted colonies, coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus count and little reduction in the total mould and yeast count as a result of addition of hydrogen peroxide into the water used for chilling broiler carcasses. It was concluded that hydrogen peroxide and ozone therapy indicate superior activity as a powerful and versatile sanitizer for poultry carcass.