Antimicrobial Activity of N-Halamine Coated Materials in Broiler Chicken Houses

Introduction: Broiler chicken houses are usually at a high risk of microbial cross-contamination. Newly released Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulation emphasizes the role of production procedure: the initial load of foodborne pathogens may significantly affect the safety of final products.

Purpose: To maintain an optimal hygiene condition, N-halamines are considered as ideal antimicrobial materials due to their superior antimicrobial efficiency against a broad spectrum of bacteria, low toxicity, high stability, rechargeability of antimicrobial activity, and low cost. Our purpose in this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of 1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazoidinone (MC), a non-bleaching N-halamine compound, and its coated materials in broiler chicken houses. 

Methods: The storage stability and the antimicrobial longevity of MC coated materials such as galvanized metal, aluminum, woods, etc. were studied. We used iodometric/thiosulfate titration to assess the chlorine content, and the “sandwich test” method to test the antimicrobial activity over a four-week period. 

Results: Results showed that 0.04% MC in aqueous solution were able to kill Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni completely at 10⁶ CFU/ml within 30 min. Moreover, 1% MC treated samples possessed high antimicrobial activity and were able to kill Salmonella Typhimurium and C. jejuni completely in 2 h. The antimicrobial activity of MC treated materials remained up to 4 week, and the active chlorine atoms in the treated materials decreased from the initial 10¹⁶ atoms/cm² to 10¹⁵ atoms/cm². 

Significance: Our results suggest that MC has a great potential application as a novel antimicrobial agent in broiler chicken houses during production.