Purpose: Delmopinol Hydrochloride (Delmopinol) is a cationic surfactant that is effective for treating and preventing gingivitis and periodontitis. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Delmopinol for reducing attachment of Campylobacter jejunito chicken, stainless steel and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
Methods: Chicken breast meat pieces, stainless steel coupons and HDPE coupons were spot-inoculated with 0.1 ml of a Campylobacter jejuni culture. After 10 min, samples were sprayed with 0.5% or 1.0% delmopinol, 0.01% sodium hypochlorite, or distilled water. Spray contact times were 1, 10, or 20 min prior to rinsing with buffered peptone water. Rinses were serially diluted onto Campy Cefex Agar for enumeration. For additional samples, spray solutions were applied first, followed by inoculation with C. jejuniafter 10 min. Cultures remained undisturbed for 1, 10, or 20 min. Then samples were rinsed and plated as above.
Results: When C. jejuni was inoculated before spray treatments, the 1% delmopinol application led to mean log reductions of 1.26, 3.70, and 3.72 log CFU/mL, greater than distilled water, for chicken, steel and HDPE, respectively. When C. jejuni was inoculated after spray treatments, 1% delmopinol reduced C. jejuni by 2.72, 3.20, and 3.99 mean log CFU/mL more than distilled water for chicken, steel and HDPE, respectively. Application of 1% delmopinol, either before or after bacteria inoculation, resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) greater log reduction than 0.01% sodium hypochlorite or distilled water.
Significance: A surface spray application of Delmopinol Hydrochloride can be an alternative antimicrobial treatment for poultry and pertinent food contact surfaces.