comparative evaluation of disinfectants’ efficacy in reducing bacterial and fungal contamination in livestock feed production

Background: disinfectants in feed factories are crucial in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, preventing disease spread, controlling cross-contamination, and ensuring product quality, thereby ensuring food safety. objectives: this study aims to assess the performance of multiple disinfectants in a factory producing livestock, poultry, and aquatic feed, as well as in a laboratory. methods: microplate and agar-well diffusion methods were utilized to assess the efficiency of commercial chemical disinfectants (1 and 2) and formalin (37%) on the internal surfaces of the mixer, mill, extruder, dryer, and cooler in the factory and to examine the performance of eight common disinfectants, including disinfectants 1, 2, and 3, sodium hypochlorite (naclo) (10%), ethanol (70%), methanol (70%), povidone-iodine (10%), and formalin, against salmonella typhimurium, escherichia coli, and fusarium oxysporum. results: the extruder had the highest level of microbial contamination, while the cooler had the lowest level. disinfectant 2 and formalin showed the most effective antibacterial and antifungal properties. disinfectants 2 and 3 showed the highest antibacterial effects in the laboratory, while other disinfectants had the lowest. disinfectant 2 showed the strongest antifungal effect, followed by formalin, povidone-iodine, and naclo. ethanol and methanol showed the least effect.conclusion: the study emphasizes the importance of selecting effective disinfectants to reduce contamination in animal feed production facilities. disinfectant 2 (huwa-san tr-50), with its unique combination of hydrogen peroxide and silver-based ionic chemistry, is a powerful disinfectant solution for various applications. these results can serve as a valuable guide for choosing appropriate disinfectants for similar industries.