Previous research has indicated that a single exposure of eggs to UV light in combination with three per cent hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) results in a greater reduction of eggshell microorganisms than eggs treated with either UV or hydrogen peroxide alone, according to J.B. Wells of Mississippi State University and co-authors there and at Texas A&M University and the USDA-ARS Poultry Research Unit of Mississippi State.

In a paper published in International Journal of Poultry Science, they explain that the objective of their study was to determine whether hatchability would be affected if eggs were treated by repeated applications of UV light and hydrogen peroxide.

In the first experiment, eggs receiving hydrogen peroxide and UV light for two minutes six times yielded the greatest reduction in aerobic plate counts (5.3 log₁₀CFU per egg) compared to the other treatment groups that utilised various repetitions of hydrogen peroxide and UV light.

The second experiment determined the effect on hatchability when using this combination tested in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, a 4-log₁₀CFU per egg reduction in eggshell aerobic plate counts was observed for eggs treated with UV and hydrogen peroxide when compared to untreated control eggs. There were no differences in hatchability, hatch residue, chick weight, residual yolk weight or egg weight loss between control and treated groups.

Wells and co-authors concluded that multiple applications of UV and hydrogen peroxide effectively reduced aerobic microorganisms on the eggshell to low levels with no detrimental effects on broiler breeder egg hatchability or chick quality parameters.

Reference

Wells J.B., C.D. Coufal, H.M. Parker, A.S. Kiess, J.L. Purswell, K.M. Young and C.D. McDaniel. 2011. Hatchability of broiler breeder eggs following eggshell sanitisation by repeated treatment with a combination of ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide. International Journal of Poultry Science 10(6): 421-425.

Further Reading

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