impact of cleaning methods on microbial contamination and disinfectant efficacy in feed production

Contaminated feed is a significant pathway for the transmission of infectious diseases, with contaminated machinery and equipment increasing the risk of such contamination. while various disinfectants are used to reduce microbial contamination, there has been limited research on the effectiveness of cleaning methods within equipment and their impact on microbial counts and disinfectant efficacy. this study aims to investigate how different cleaning methods influence microbial counts and the effectiveness of disinfectants in the production lines of animal, poultry, and aquaculture feed. the study involved sampling several points along the production line, which were divided into two cleaning methods: surface cleaning (sweeping and blowing) and complete cleaning (using clean cloths). after cleaning, samples were collected from both sections with sterile swabs. a 12.5% formalin solution was then sprayed on both areas, and additional samples were taken after drying. the samples were diluted and cultured on plate count agar using the pour plate method. after incubating at 37 ℃ for 24 hours, bacterial colonies were counted, and the results were analyzed using spss (v2016). the study s findings revealed that the initial bacterial count was 3.10 ± 0.00 log cfu/cm² before cleaning. after surface cleaning, the count decreased to 2.04 ± 0.09, while complete cleaning reduced it to 0.67 ± 0.57. following disinfection, the bacterial count for surface cleaning dropped to 0.37 ± 0.27, and complete cleaning achieved a count of zero. the study emphasizes the importance of thorough cleaning for the effectiveness of disinfectants, showing that complete cleaning can function similarly to disinfectants. a structured cleaning program can significantly reduce contamination in machinery and equipment, resulting in healthier feed and fewer feed-related diseases in animals. overall, maintaining hygiene standards in feed production is vital for ensuring animal health and safety.