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

The antimicrobial activity of 1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazoidinone (MC), a nonbleaching N-halamine compound, was investigated on materials commonly used in broiler production, including stainless steel, galvanized metal, aluminum, plastic, and pressure-treated wood. MC aqueous solutions at 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06% were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni at 6 log CFU/mL, resulting in complete inactivation of both bacteria in 30 min with 0.06% MC. Follow-up experiments were performed using test materials treated with 0.1 and 1% MC and challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium and C. jejuni at 6 log CFU per coupon. Stability of MC on the various surfaces of testing materials was assessed, and the chlorine content of the materials was measured using iodometric thiosulfate titration over a 4-week period. Antimicrobial activities were evaluated by a sandwich test on each sampling day during 4 weeks of storage. On the samples treated with 1% MC, bacteria at 6 log CFU per coupon were completely inactivated within 2 h of contact time. The antimicrobial activity extended to 4 weeks, and the active chlorine atoms in the treated materials decreased from the initial 10¹⁶ to 10¹⁵ atoms per cm². Overall, MC had high stability and long-lasting antimicrobial activity, which suggests that MC has high potential for use as a novel antimicrobial agent to lower the microbial load on broiler house materials.