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Clear visualization of biofilm removal from drinking water lines with Intra Hydrocare Clean and fresh drinking water is essential for bird health and performance. Even when the incoming water is clean, a biofilm may rapidly form at the inner lining of a drinking water system. This biofilm reduces the water flow, clogs drinking nipples, and provides an ideal hiding place for pathogens. Before
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biofilm inside a line is not just a slimy layer, but actually a well-structured and highly organized microbial community. This process of biofilm formation is further accelerated by the relatively high temperatures in a broiler house, and stimulated by the low water flow volumes at the start of a round.
Intra Hydrocare effectively removes biofilm
Figure 1 – Visual appearance from the outside of the tube (top row), inside the water system (middle row) and on the inserts (bottom row) before (left) and after (right) the continuous addition of Intra Hydrocare to the water.
Biofilm is an invisible threat
Gerwen Lammers PhD, Tom van Oorsouw BSc, Jan SchĂśnberg, Marc Spackler MSc, Carly Vulders BSc Intracare BV, Veghel, The Netherlands
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The build-up of a biofilm typically starts with the attachment of a single microorganism cell in suspension onto a surface, for example the inner surface of a drinking water line. This microorganism starts to multiply and secretes extracellular matrix components to build a protective environment. So the
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Traditional disinfectants, like chlorine, may disinfect the water, but form harmful residues and/or negatively affect the taste of the water. Intra Hydrocare is a silver-stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution that disinfects the water and also physically removes the biofilm from the inner lining, without residues and taste changes. Due to its unparalleled stability, Intra Hydrocare remains active from the beginning of the water line until the last nipple. Its addition to the drinking water guarantees that the water will remain free of microorganisms and no biofilm will build up in the water system. The functionality of Intra Hydrocare has proven itself around the globe in the most varying practical conditions, the study described in this article clearly visualizes its functionality under experimental test conditions.
Biofilm generator to study biofilm formation and removal Intracare has developed a biofilm generator as a model to study the natural growth and
