Decontamination of broilers with hydrogen peroxide stabilised with glycerol during processing.

Experiments were conducted to assess the effects of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide stabilised by glycerol solution in potable water on the bacteriological and organoleptic quality of freshly slaughtered broiler carcasses. Skin-pH and colour were measured 3.5 and 24 h after treatment and compared to untreated carcasses. Bacterial colonisation was determined 3.5 and 24 h and, 7 days after treatment, carcasses being stored at 1 degrees C. None of the concentrations used affected the appearance and "bloom" of the carcasses as could be measured by colorimeter and changing of the acidity. Mean microbial counts were significantly reduced (P<0.01) when treated and control broilers were compared. Average reductions of 0.3 up to1.4 log N for the mesophilic aerobic counts were achieved and from 0.4 up to 1.2 log N for Enterobacteriaceae. A 3% w/w solution made from a commercially available stock solution (Glyroxyl), which consists of 44% hydrogen peroxide, 44% demineralised water and 12% glycerol proved to lower colonisation more effectively than a 2% solution.