Magnesium Sulfate Effects on Coliform Bacteria Reduction in the Intestines, Ceca, and Carcasses of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of MgSO4 on intestinal and cecal content reduction with subsequent effects on carcass weight loss and coliform bacterial counts in the intestine and ceca, and on the processed carcass. Four hundred and eighty broiler chicks, 49 days of age, were fed MgSO4 at levels of 0, 2.5, 4.0, 5.5, 7.0, and 8.5 g/L via drinking water 24 h before processing. Samples from the intestinal and cecal contents and swabs from the processed carcass surface were plated for coliform bacteria colonization. The results indicated that carcass weight loss was not affected significantly by MgSO4, irrespective of the levels fed. The mean dressing percentage of the treated chicks was 64.9% compared with 65.2% for the controls. Although the reduction in the intestinal contents was not significant, the coliform bacterial counts declined from 1.4 x 10(6) to 1.4 x 10(4), a reduction of 2 logs when the MgSO4 was administered at 5.5 g/L. However, both the cecal contents and coliform bacteria were reduced significantly when the birds were given 5.5 g/L of MgSO4. The reduction of the coliform bacteria in the ceca was significant when compared with the control, an approximate reduction of 3 logs. Also, the bacterial counts on the carcass surface were nonsignificantly reduced from 2.2 x 10(4) to 2 x 10(3), a 1-log reduction. Correlation coefficients showed that as the contents of the intestine decreased, the coliform bacterial counts in the ceca and on the carcass surface decreased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Reviewing Interventions against Enterobacteriaceae in Broiler Processing: Using Old Techniques for Meeting the New Challenges of ESBLE. coli?

“…In addition to feed withdrawal times, certain feed and water additives were investigated to enhance a possible positive effect of the feed withdrawal concerning the reduction of particular pathogens ( Table 1 ). Substances like specialized replacement finisher [ 37 ], the supplementation of feed with a glucose cocktail [ 39 ], chlorine additives [ 36 ], or magnesium sulfate [ 40 ] in drinking water, or the supplementation of tap water with an allostatic modulator [ 38 ] were investigated. These substances were applied to broiler chickens prior to feed withdrawal.…”

“…However, an impact on the reduction of E. coli on the broiler carcasses during processing and concerning the prevention on cross-contamination seemed to be ambiguous and needs further investigations. The supplementation of drinking water with magnesium sulfate at different levels led to a reduction of up to 2 log10 values of the microbial cecum contents and coliform bacteria [ 40 ]. However, in these experiments neither the effect on E. coli counts nor EEC counts were investigated and therefore the application of magnesium sulfate needs to be further evaluated.…”