32 Narula R. Pathogen Reduction and factors responsible for pathogen reduction in dairy farm operations treating dairy manureJ. Biological Engineering, 2011, 4(3): 115-131.

Abstract: The use of Recycled Manure Solids (RMS) as dairy bedding material has become a promising technology with the merits of sustainable manure management and cost saving for purchasing traditional bedding. However, cow dung contains certain amounts of pathogenic bacteria, thus the use of RMS would increase the risk of direct contact of pathogens with cows' udder. Such serious problem has undermined the use of RMS as dairy bedding material. Drum fermentation for the bedding production has many advantages (i.e. high temperature, short time), thereby it is getting more and more attention. The objective of this study was to investigate the stability and biological safety of RMS production process using drum fermentation in different seasons, and to clarify the factors affecting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the dairy cows'mastitis. The drum-type RMS producing system employed was composed of a two-stage solid-liquid separator, a horizontal-rotation drum fermentation tank, as well as feeding and discharging components. The automatic control system monitored equipment operation and temperature changes in real time. The drum temperature was obtained by the temperature sensors installed on the inner wall of the drum including inlet, center, and outlet. Samplings were performed from the inlet, 1/3, 2/3, and outlet of the drum. The plate culture method was used to detect the main mastitis pathogenic bacteria (i.e., Eschrichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, and Klebsiella) at different positions within the drum during the summer and winter. At the same time, the physical and chemical properties (water content, pH, total carbon, total nitrogen, ash, particle size distribution, roller temperature) of RMS were also tested. Additionally, the main factors affecting the growth of mastitis pathogens was investigated via Pearson correlation analysis.The results indicated that the fermentation temperature during the production process was stable and maintained above 55 oC both in summer and winter, and the final moisture content at the drum outlet was less than 45%. In both seasons, the particle size distribution at different positions of the roller was mainly concentrated at 0.5 to 2.0 mm. With the fermentation process, the large particle size gradually converted to small and medium particle size. The number of mastitis pathogens in summer and winter was highest at the drum inlet, and gradually decreased at higher fermentation temperature. At 1/3 of the drum, the number of major mastitis pathogens was significantly reduced. Streptococcus. and Klebsiella. were not detected at the drum outlet in both seasons. However, the number of Eschrichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at the outlet of the drum in summer was higher than that in winter. It may be related to the moisture content of the cow dung at the inlet of the drum. Therefore, the moisture content of the inlet of the drum should be strictly controlled between 50% and 65%. Using the Pearson correlation analysis, it was found that the major factor affecting main mastitis pathogen was drum temperature, followed by total carbon. From the security point of view, RMS should be used immediately after production to avoid environmental impacts. The results found in this study can provide deep insight for the application of drum fermentation technology to produce safer RMS.