In addition to research investigating the potential of the Hydrodyne Process^TM to extend product shelflife and/or reduce or eliminate pathogens, I have documented the ability to reduce fecal contamination on the outside of poultry carcasses by using electrical stimulation.
 

Prior to testing the electrical approach, the physical characteristics of the fecal material were determined throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Based on this characterization and in-plant observations, it was determined that the fecal material located in the vent region represented the predominant problem in terms of potential carcass contamination.

Fecal material is expelled from the vent by electrically stimulating the carcass early postmortem. Electrodes are positioned on the carcass at selected sites to optimize the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle in and around the vent region. The amount of fecal material removed from the carcass is dependent upon the viscosity of the feces. In the critical vent region, approximately 50% of the fecal material is removed if it is low viscosity and about 19% is removed if it is high viscosity.

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Hydrodyne is protected as a patented process. This page last updated 10/7/98