Poultry Research Articles

Salmonella is a significant food safety and public health concern. Poultry products have been considered the main vehicles of Salmonella infections in humans. Salmonella being present in visually healthy poultry is suggested as the preeminent human transmission risk factor, allowing bacteria to easily transmit from eggs and poultry to humans. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been suggested as promising alternatives to current antibiotics because of their low propensity for resistance development. In this study, we tested the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-derived small peptides (P1-NPSRQERR, P2- PDENK, and P4-MLNERVK) against Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) and Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) both in vitro and in chickens. Peptides inhibited ST, SE, and other public health-relevant Salmonella serovars in vitro. The antibacterial activity of peptides is likely due to their effect on Salmonella membranes. Importantly, P1 and P2 effectively reduced the colonization of ST by 2.2 and 1.8 logs, respectively, in chickens at 7 days post-infection. P1, P2, and P4 possessed no adverse effect on chicken cecum microbial community, but chickens not treated and challenged with Salmonella showed a difference in microbial richness and evenness compared to the unchallenged chickens. Furthermore, peptides retain their activity upon exposure to heat and protease treatments-characteristics necessary for the use of antimicrobial products in the poultry industry. In summary, these small peptides can provide a promising approach to develop novel strategies for controlling Salmonella infections in chickens.IMPORTANCESalmonella is the most frequently reported bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Poultry products (eggs and poultry meat) have been considered the main vehicles of Salmonella infections in humans. There is a need for developing and implementing effective antibiotic alternatives to reduce Salmonella in chickens, minimize human exposures, and simultaneously contribute to alleviating antibiotic resistance. AMPs have been suggested as promising alternatives to current antibiotics because of their low propensity for resistance development. Our study showed that LGG-derived peptides (P1-NPSRQERR, P2-PDENK, and P4-MLNERVK) significantly inhibit ST, SE and other Salmonella serovars in vitro and in chickens. Overall, our results demonstrate that small peptides can facilitate the development of promising approaches to control Salmonella infections in poultry, thus contributing to improved food safety and public health.

Spatio-temporal prevalence and distribution of Salmonella spp. serovars in animal-origin foods in China: A comprehensive outlook derived from nine years of national surveillance, 2014-2022.

Modulating bacterial virulence: The role of food-plant essential oils in counteracting foodborne pathogen threats - A systematic review.

Broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are a vital source of animal protein in Zimbabwe, with small-scale producers playing a key role in meeting the rising demand for poultry meat. As production intensifies, concerns have arisen regarding the impact of housing systems on broiler performance under small-scale conditions. This study evaluated the effects of cage and deep litter housing systems on growth and carcass parameters of broiler chickens. A completely randomized design was used with two treatments (cage and deep litter), each replicated three times. One hundred and twenty Cobb 500-day-old chicks (DOCs) were brooded together and then allocated to the treatments on day 21. The birds were reared for six weeks, and the following performance parameters were measured: weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass weight, and dressing percentage. Results showed no statistically significant differences between housing systems: weight gain (0.92 kg vs. 0.94 kg; p = 0.298), feed intake (1.49 kg vs. 1.54 kg; p = 0.244), FCR (1.61 vs. 1.61; p = 0.506), carcass weight (1.68 kg vs. 1.69 kg; p = 0.579), and dressing percentage (73.37% vs. 73.40%; p = 0.929). Weekly growth patterns were also similar between systems, with final body weights of 2.34 kg (cage) and 2.36 kg (deep litter) at six weeks. These findings suggest that, under controlled conditions, cage and deep litter systems have comparable effects on broiler performance, and either system can be effectively used in small-scale production.

A Study of some quality indicators and effect of freezing on antibiotic residues in poultry meat

Background: This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of garlic extracts in fresh poultry meat. Methods: The antibacterial properties of garlic extracts were tested against Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Proteus mirabilis. Antibacterial activity was assessed using disc and well diffusion methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined via macrodilution. Moreover, ground poultry meat samples were treated with garlic juice and cold macerate natural antibacterial preservatives at their minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) and stored at 4 °C for 24 hours. Results: Garlic juice exhibited stronger antibacterial effects compared to the macerate. The highest inhibition zone was observed against Micrococcus luteus (23.33±1.11 mm). The MICs for garlic juice and cold macerate were 250 and 300 µl/ml, respectively. Furthermore, MBC values ranged from 250 to 300 µl/ml for garlic juice and 300 to 500 µl/ml for the macerate. The addition of garlic juice significantly reduced bacterial counts in refrigerated poultry meat compared to untreated controls. Conclusion: The findings suggest that garlic juice possesses potent antimicrobial properties and can enhance the microbial safety and preservation of poultry meat during cold storage.

ABSTRACTThe rising global population has led to an increased demand for poultry meat, necessitating the development of sustainable and safe alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters, which have been banned or restricted due to concerns about antibiotic resistance. Phytogenic feed additives (PFAs), particularly hop‐derived compounds, have shown promise as natural antimicrobial agents. This study investigates the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of five major hop‐derived compounds —isoxanthohumol, xanthohumol, humulone, lupulone, and isohumulone —to assess their potential as PFAs in poultry farming. Using broth dilution and metabolic activity assays, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC50) and cytotoxic concentrations (IC50) were determined against Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, and a chicken fibroblast cell line (UMNSAH/DF‐1). Among the compounds tested, xanthohumol demonstrated the most favorable selective index against M. luteus (5.5 ± 0.36), while for B. subtilis, lupulone had an even higher index (15 ± 0.77). These findings highlight the novel potential of specific hop‐derived compounds as selective and safe PFAs, contributing valuable insights into natural alternatives to conventional antibiotic growth promoters.

Poultry-associated nitrofurantoin-resistant and pre-resistant Escherichia coli clones are found in multiple countries and one-health compartments

Cold plasma (non-thermal plasma) is an emerging surface decontamination technology that produces reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), UV photons and charged particles which inactivate microorganisms at near-ambient temperatures. For poultry meat, cold plasma (including in-package atmospheric cold plasma, dielectric barrier discharge, plasma jets and plasma-activated water) has demonstrated the ability to reduce pathogenic and spoilage organisms, extend refrigerated shelf life and provide options for chemical-free processing while largely preserving sensory and nutritional quality when properly optimised (Noriega et al., 2011; Dirks et al., 2012; Moutiq et al., 2020). This review summarises mechanisms, system types, poultry-specific applications, effects on meat quality, challenges (oxidation, surface complexity, scale-up, regulation) and future directions for industrial adoption. Key knowledge gaps and research priorities for integrating cold plasma into poultry processing chains are highlighted.

Salmonella enterica is one of the most common causes of human foodborne illness attributed to consumption of contaminated poultry in the U.S. Because many different biocide antimicrobials are used in serial during poultry processing, we investigated the tolerance of four serotypes of non-typhoidal Salmonella to four biocides applied in serial. Although responses were variable, we concluded that any non-zero concentration of calcium or sodium hypochlorite applied before peracetic acid will decrease the PAA tolerance of all four serotypes. These data are primarily useful in planning applied studies of biocides on meat products for disinfection.

Poultry meat, due to its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, is particularly susceptible to lipid oxidation, which affects its quality and shelf life. Optimizing meat composition, including fatty acid profile and antioxidant activity, is essential for consumer health. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing hydrogel capsules containing immobilized lavender essential oil (HE group) and capsules without immobilized essential oil (H group) on the oxidative stability, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition of broiler chicken breast muscles. The study results showed that supplementation with the lavender oil hydrogel (HE) significantly reduced total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CuZn-SOD activity in breast muscles. Although TBARS values did not show significant differences, the reduced SOD activity may indicate decreased free radical production or more effective action of other antioxidant mechanisms. The fatty acid profile was significantly altered, with a lower content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) observed in the HE group. Significant changes were also observed in the mineral composition of the muscles. The HE group had a higher sodium content and lower copper and iron levels compared to the control group. These changes may indicate an effect of the hydrogel and essential oil on mineral metabolism and bioavailability. The study suggests that hydrogels with immobilized lavender essential oil (LEO) may positively affect poultry meat quality by improving its fatty acid profile and oxidative stability, although these mechanisms require further research and confirmation.

<span lang="EN-US">The increasing demand for standardized food quality assurance, particularly in regions like Morocco, emphasizes the need for accurate classification of poultry meat. This study evaluates and compares ten convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures—VGG19, VGG16, ResNet50, GoogleNet, MobileNetV1, MobileNetV2, DenseNet, NasNet, EfficientNet, and AlexNet—for classifying commonly consumed poultry meat types in Moroccan markets, including chicken, turkey, fayoumi, and farmer’s chicken. A labeled image dataset was used to train and test each model, with performance assessed using metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, training time, and computational complexity. Additionally, the study investigates how dataset size influences model performance, addressing challenges like limited data availability and scalability. The results highlight DenseNet as the top-performing architecture, achieving 98% classification accuracy while also demonstrating superior computational efficiency. These findings are valuable for improving food quality control, offering data-driven support for stakeholders in poultry production, distribution, and regulatory bodies. By identifying optimal deep learning models for poultry meat classification, the study contributes to enhancing food authentication and safety in Morocco and similar regions. It also encourages the integration of AI-driven systems in food inspection processes, providing scalable, accurate, and efficient solutions for ensuring standardized quality in the poultry supply chain.</span>

Outbreaks caused by Salmonella Enteritidis are commonly linked to eggs and poultry meat internationally, but this serovar had never been detected in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) poultry prior to 2021. Locally designated genomic cluster Salmonella Enteritidis_2019_C_01, was implicated in a 2019 outbreak associated with a restaurant in Auckland. Four Enteritidis_2019_C_01 sub-clusters have since been identified, two retrospectively, in the Auckland region. Authorities initiated a formal outbreak investigation after genomically indistinguishable S. Enteritidis was isolated from the NZ poultry production environment. This study analysed 231 S. Enteritidis genomes obtained from the outbreak using Bayesian phylodynamic tools to gain insight into the outbreak's dynamics and origin. We used Bayesian integrated coalescent epoch plots to estimate the change of the Enteritidis ST11 population size over time and marginal structured coalescent approximation to estimate transmission between poultry producers. We investigated human and poultry isolates to elucidate the time and location of the most recent common ancestor of the outbreak and transmission pathways. The median most recent common ancestor was estimated to be February 2019. We found evidence of amplification and spread of strain Enteritidis_2019_C_01 within the poultry industry, as well as transmission events throughout the production chain. The intervention by the public health and food safety authorities coincided with a drop in the effective population size of the S. Enteritidis ST11 as well as notified human cases. This information is crucial for understanding and preventing the transmission of S. Enteritidis in NZ poultry to ensure poultry meat and eggs are safe for consumption.

Occurrence of Enterobacterales producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases in organic and conventional food collected in France.

Baseline immune profiles of local chicken breeds: linking biodiversity, animal health, and vaccination response.

Assessing Airborne Bacteria and the Impact of Air Decontamination Systems in a Chicken Slaughterhouse.

Broiler poultry farming is one of the most dynamically developing sectors of Russia's agro-industrial complex. In the context of intense competition and growing poultry meat consumption, the issues of increasing productivity, improving housing conditions, and selecting optimal broiler crosses have become especially relevant. Modern poultry farming faces the necessity of sustainable productivity growth while maintaining product quality and reducing production costs. The relevance of this research lies in the importance of selecting highly productive broiler crosses combined with the optimization of the microclimate in poultry houses. During the experiment, the impact of uniform air distribution on the rearing of "Cobb-500" and "Ross-308" broiler crosses under improved microclimate conditions was studied. The results showed that the "Cobb-500" cross had higher live weight, better feed conversion, and improved survival rates compared to "Ross-308." This indicates a higher adaptability of this cross to conditions with even air exchange and stabilized temperature. The advantages of "Cobb-500" under such conditions make it a preferable choice for use in modern poultry farms. The obtained data can be used to improve housing technologies and the selection of genetic material, which is crucial for enhancing the profitability and sustainability of meat poultry farmin

The article is devoted to the study of meat dishes in the traditional gastronomic culture of the Kabardians in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It provides general information about meat dishes, methods and technologies for preparing meat dishes, as well as information about the variety of meat dishes made from cattle, small livestock, and poultry. Based on the analysis of scientific literature and field materials collected by the staff of the Kabardino-Balkarian Research Institute in the 1950s and 1970s in the villages of Kabardino-Balkaria, the article examines the features of cooking dishes made from lamb and its by-products, goat meat, beef, and the meat of some other animals. The article draws attention to the widespread use of lamb, beef, and poultry meat in Kabardian cuisine, and also describes the methods of preparing dishes from these ingredients. The study revealed that poultry meat can be classified according to its prestige. It was also found that goat meat dishes were widely used in the traditional gastronomic culture of the Kabardians. It was revealed that most dishes had names in their native language that accurately reflected their semantics and characteristics. It has been established that meat was one of the markers of ethnocultural identity, reflecting one's belonging to one's own people.

Poultry meat is one of the most appreciated animal-derived food products, both for its nutritional value and for its specific sensory properties. For a long time, the preservation of the health of birds and the improvement of growth indicators were achieved through the administration of antibiotics, a technique highly contested due to their residue in finished products. Against the backdrop of these issues, various plant-based products (phytoadditives) have emerged, credited with multiple roles, from improving immunity and digestion efficiency to reducing the action of predominant pathogens and even mitigating the environmental impact of animal farming. The purpose of this study is to create a centralized overview of the effects generated by the available phytogenic additives, for their inclusion in specific bird diets with the aim of improving the quantitative and qualitative aspects of meat production.

This paper aimed to estimate the protection of agricultural producers in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, using prices of nine selected products during 2018 – 2023. Two widely recognised indicators were employed: the nominal rate of protection and the nominal rate of assistance. The findings highlight consistent gaps between domestic and EU reference prices, as well as discrepancies and insufficient budget allocation for certain agricultural products. Strong protection was recorded for beef, pig meat, poultry meat and egg producers, while milk and potato protection showed variability. Conversely, wheat, grain maize, and sheep meat were largely unprotected throughout the analysed period. These results suggest that agricultural policy in the Republic of Srpska should prioritise targeted budgetary support, reduce market price disparities and promote productivity-enhancing measures to improve competitiveness and ensure sector sustainability.