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Abstract The objective was to evaluate whether the absence of a water spray affects the microbial contamination on chicken conveyor belts in slaughterhouse. A total of 1280 samples from modular and smooth conveyor belts, with and without water spray, were evaluated in four slaughterhouses in Brazil. Superficial swabs of conveyor belts were performed at the indicated time periods (T 0 - 5:00 a.m; T 1 - 9:00 a.m; T 2 - 5:00 p.m.; and T 3 - 10:00 p.m.) and submitted to counting of mesophiles, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, and E. coli. The data were evaluated by measuring the increment (positive or negative) in contamination between the periods and comparing the means of the conveyor belts with and without water spray. On the modular conveyor belts, the absence of water spray allowed for a significant increase in the counts only in the T 2 –T 3 interval for coliforms and E. coli. On the smooth conveyor belts, the absence of water spray allowed for a significant increase in Enterobacteriaceae counts only in the T 2 –T 3 interval. At the other intervals, absence in the water had no influence on the indicator counts. These results demonstrated that the use of a water spray system on conveyor belts does not influence the contamination count. Highlights • The effect of water spray system on conveyors belts was evaluated. • Microbiological analyses were performed with and without water spray. • Absence of water did not affect bacterial counts on the surfaces of conveyor belts. • Excessive water use can be avoided as it does not have significant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a water spray system in cleaning conveyor belts contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Samples were obtained from modular and smooth conveyor belts from four slaughterhouses in Brazil, and bacterial presence was assessed in sprayed and unsprayed belts. From each conveyor belt, 400 cm2 were sampled using sponges at various time periods (T 0 : 5:00 h; T 1 : 9:00 h; T 2 : 17:00 h, and T 3 : 22:00 h), and these samples were submitted for Salmonella and L. monocytogenes detection. The results were expressed as frequencies and analyzed by Chi-square test. A low frequency of Salmonella isolation occurred at T 0 , and at T 1 and T 2 , the isolation frequencies of Salmonella were higher in the unsprayed conveyor belts. Salmonella contamination throughout the process fluctuated significantly (P < 0.05), and fluctuation occurred regardless of water spray use. In regard to the effect of water spraying on the presence of L. monocytogenes , the isolation frequencies were lower (P < 0.05) at all time points when the water spray system was active. Given this, our findings indicate that although water spray hygiene influences the frequency of pathogen isolation, other factors require monitoring to control for Salmonella and L. monocytogenes contamination. • The effect of water aspersion on conveyors belts was evaluated. • Salmonella and L. monocytogenes detection was performed on conveyor belts. • Water spray hygiene influences the frequency of pathogen isolation. • Excessive water use can be avoided, as it does not result in significant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]