by Yijiao Wu, Shiyu Yu, Xiyin Zhang, Xianzhong Wang ve Jiaojiao Zhang
https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/43150
Cold plasma is an innovative technology with significant potential in the field of animal husbandry. It offers solutions for improving the breeding environment, animal health, growth, reproduction, and the processing and preservation of animal-derived foods. The technology’s effects are primarily based on reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the plasma, which regulate cell activity in a manner dependent on intensity and time.
Key Applications and Findings:
Animal Breeding Environments and Health:
Cold plasma can purify the breeding environment by effectively inactivating various microorganisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium. It can also reduce harmful volatile organic compounds and odors in the air.
It has been used to prepare inactivated vaccines for diseases like Newcastle disease and H9N2 influenza.
Compared to traditional vaccines prepared with formaldehyde, cold plasma-inactivated vaccines can induce higher specific antibody titers, offering better protection for chickens.
Growth and Reproduction Performance:
When applied under appropriate conditions, cold plasma treatment has been shown to promote embryonic development and improve the growth of chickens, leading to significant increases in average daily weight gain.The mechanism for improved growth is linked to increased ATP levels, ROS homeostasis, and the regulation of growth-related hormones.
It has also been found to improve the sperm quality and fertility of male chickens.
However, high-intensity or extended exposure to cold plasma can be lethal to chicken embryos due to the destruction of the antioxidant defense pathway.
It remains unclear if cold plasma can successfully promote the growth and reproduction of livestock other than poultry.
Processing and Preservation of Animal Foods:
Cold plasma technology can extend the shelf life of animal foods by killing microorganisms. It effectively inactivates pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella in fresh chicken, pork, and beef products without damaging the meat's quality.It can reduce E. coli in milk and Salmonella on the surface of eggs.
In meat processing, cold plasma is used for curing, where it helps inactivate microbes and form nitrite, which preserves the color and flavor of the meat.
Studies have demonstrated its ability to extend the shelf life of packaged chicken breasts by inactivating E. coli within the sealed package.
Conclusion
Cold plasma technology shows great promise for promoting the healthy development of animal husbandry through its diverse applications in sterilization, vaccine preparation, food processing, and the enhancement of animal growth and reproduction. The effectiveness of the treatment is critically dependent on controlling the intensity and duration of the plasma exposure. Further research is necessary to optimize treatment conditions and to fully understand the underlying mechanisms.