Marcos Antonio Dai Pra I Érico Kunde Corrêa II Victor Fernando Roll III Eduardo Gonçalves Xavier III

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy ofquicklime (CaO) for reducing Salmonella and Clostridium spp.population in used litter from floor pens of broilers. Fourtreatments were tested: (T1) control (without quicklime); (T2)300g quicklime m -2 ; (T3) 600g quicklime m; and (T4) 900gquicklime m -2 . The following average pH values were observed12 days after adding quicklime: 8.95, 9.91, 10.75 and 11.11for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. An 82 and 97%reduction in the most probable number Log 10 (CFU) of Salmonella and Clostridium spp, respectively, was observedwhen 300g m -2 of quicklime was added to the used litter fromfloor pens of broilers. Additionally, a 100% reduction wasobtained when both 600 and 900g m -2 of quicklime were added,differing significantly from control (before adding quicklime).A progressive reduction in water activity (from 0.2 to 3.82%)was observed when growing levels of quicklime were used. Inconclusion, even the lowest level of quicklime added to litterfrom floor pens of broilers reduces the most probable numberof