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To prevent excessive bacterial growth in raw milk, the FAO recommends two options: either cold storage or activation of the lactoperoxidase system (LPs/HT) in milk with the addition of two chemical preservatives, hydrogen peroxide (H) and thiocyanate (T). N2 gas flushing of raw milk has shown great potential to control bacterial growth in a temperature range of 6–12°C without promoting undesired side effects. Here, the effect of N2 gas (N) was tested as a single treatment and in combination with the lactoperoxidase system (NHT) on seven raw milk samples stored at 15 or 25°C. For the ratio defined as bacterial counts from a certain treatment/counts on the corresponding control, a classical Analyse of Variance (ANOVA) was performed, followed by mean comparison with the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch multiple range test (REGWQ). Altogether, the growth inhibition was slightly but significantly higher at 25°C than at 15°C. Except for one sample, all ratios were lower for HT than for N alone; however, these differences were not judged to be significant for five samples by the REGWQ test; in the remaining two samples, N was more effective than HT in one case and less effective in the other case. This study shows that N2 gas flushing, which inhibited bacterial growth in raw milk at 15 and 25°C for 24 and 12 h, respectively, could constitute an alternative to LPs where no cold storage facilities exist, especially as a replacement for adulterating substances.

Aims: To assess, in a cleaned and disinfected barn environment, the efficacy of an animal disinfection strategy to reduce the livestock-associated methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) prevalence in sows, their offspring and the barn environment. Methods and Results: On each farm, six sow rounds were sampled; sows were divided into either a test or control group. Per round, 20 sows and 40 of their piglets were sampled at different time points together with the barn environment. The disinfection strategy of the test groups consisted of washing the sows with a shampoo followed by disinfection of the skin with a solution containing chlorhexidine digluconate and isopropanol. On the first day of disinfection and 6 days after stopping the disinfection, a significant decrease (P < 0Á01) of on average 68 and 66% in sow MRSA prevalence was observed on both farms, whereas no decrease was seen in the control groups. Just before weaning, 21-28 days after the end of the disinfection strategy, the difference in MRSA prevalence between both groups was reduced to 4% and no longer significant (P = 0Á20). The MRSA prevalence of the piglets in the test groups was significantly lower (26%; P < 0Á01) 6 days after the end of disinfection. Just before weaning, this difference was reduced to 5% but still significant (P < 0Á01). In the swine nursery unit, no significant difference (P = 0Á99) was seen between both groups. Based on semi-quantitative counts, a relationship (r 2 > 0Á6; P < 0Á01) was seen between MRSA contamination in the barn environment and the MRSA prevalence in pigs. Conclusion: Results show that the tested disinfection strategy reduces temporarily the sow and piglet MRSA status, but does not result in a final reduction in MRSA at weaning or in the nursery unit. Significance and Impact of the Study: First report on the efficacy of an animal disinfection strategy to reduce LA-MRSA prevalence in sows, their offspring and the barn environment.