Measuring Contamination Levels and Incubation Results of Hatching Eggs Sanitized with Essential Oils

TL;DR

This study shows that essential oils can safely sanitize hatching eggs, reducing contamination and supporting high hatchability without harming the embryos.

Contribution

The study introduces Zingiber officinale, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils as effective and safe egg sanitizers.

Findings

Essential oils significantly reduced eggshell and yolk sac contamination.

Hatchability rates exceeded 93% with no embryonic trachea or genetic damage.

EOs performed as well as formaldehyde without causing irritation or genotoxicity.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Making sustainable choices and transforming guidelines into effective bacterial control practices for viable and safe hatching eggs is a challenge for many researchers. Gradually, scientific findings are strengthening the case for using antibacterial protocols with essential oils (EOs) for hatching eggs, which could lead to changes in traditional egg sanitization management and stimulate new research. The present study aimed to measure the contamination levels and incubation outcomes of hatching eggs sanitized with Zingiber officinale (ZOEO), Cymbopogon flexuosus (CFEO), and Rosmarinus officinalis (ROEO) essential oils. Methods: Hatching eggs from commercial broiler breeders were sanitized with solutions of ZOEO, CFEO, and ROEO prepared in grain alcohol and compared with formaldehyde and non-sanitized eggs. Bacterial contamination, eggshell integrity, incubation parameters, embryonic trachea histology, genotoxicity, and irritation potential were evaluated under commercial conditions. Results: It has been demonstrated that these EOs significantly reduce eggshell and yolk sac contamination, promote hatchability rates above 93% with good-quality chicks, and do not cause alterations in the embryonic trachea or potential genetic damage to the chicks. Conclusions: ZOEO, CFEO, and ROEO can be recommended as sanitizers for hatching eggs.

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