Introduction

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) has extensive potential applications in the broiler industry. Genesis Air, located in Lubbock, TX has wide and unique experience in designing and installing their patented PCO technology in military installations and for commercial applications including airports, casinos, hospitals, auditoriums, greenhouses and restaurants.

Based on the laboratory and field trials, adoption of the technology appears both practical and cost-effective for specific components of the broiler production chain including hatcheries and processing plants. PCO technology is widely used in commercial HVAC installations to reduce airborne pathogens and to degrade volatile organic compounds in air by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Principle of Photocatalytic Oxidation

Exposure of a photocatalyst such as titanium dioxide to ultraviolet light at a specific energy intensity and within a defined wavelength results in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydroxyl radicals and superoxide ions, (Foster et al, 2011). These short-lived reactive oxygen species have the potential to destroy pathogens including bacteria, fungi and viruses in an environment even with high humidity, (Ahmadi et al, 2021). In addition, reactive oxygen species interact with volatile organic compounds resulting in their degradation, (Wu et al, 2021).  The decomposition of volatile organic compounds is substrate-specific with proven reduction of atmospheric nitrous oxide, acetaldehyde, ammonia, formaldehyde and other organic compounds, (He et al, 2002).

A UV spectrum lower than 180 nm, as used in non-photocatalytic ‘air-purifiers’, generates ozone that may be potentially harmful to respiratory tissue at high concentration in confined spaces with limited air exchange.  In contrast, most photocatalytic installations are innocuous and are environmentally acceptable.

Genesis Air Inc.-Innovators in PCO Technology

Genesis Air manufactures engineered solutions utilizing their extensive experience in application of photocatalytic oxidation to reduce airborne volatile organic compounds and pathogens.  Equipment is currently installed in 25 airports, 200 healthcare and laboratory facilities, 75 educational institutions and 70 facilities` operated by federal, state and local governments.

The current range of Genesis Air equipment extends from domestic units with an air flow rate of 65 cfm to commercial units handling up to 500,000 cfm.  Genesis Air uses modular designs with increasing numbers of panels in free-standing units or as an array in air ducts and air handling installations.  Hospitals with Genesis Air equipment installed in critical care areas have achieved measurable reductions in average SIR (Standard Infection Rate) with MRSA. This success, as measured by a reduction in infection rates, suggests beneficial application in hatcheries.

Scientific Evaluation of Genesis PCO Technology

Structured scientific studies document evaluation of Genesis Air equipment with respect to inactivation of pathogens that are encountered in poultry production facilities including hatcheries and in areas where personnel congregate including changing and break rooms.

• During 2006, the U.S. Army, Dugway, UT. Proving Ground conducted an evaluation of the Genesis Air 2002 B unit with specific reference to Aspergillus niger.  Using a standard protocol and a test installation the PCO unit significantly reduced the quantum of spores introduced into the inlet air stream by an average of 93.5 percent.

In a separate evaluation, it was determined that the Genesis Air 2002 module was able to remove or neutralize more than 98 percent of airborne spores of Bacillus subtilus var. niger transiting the chamber The filter stage of the system that excluded particles greater than 3 microns in diameter was responsible for removal of 50 percent of airborne bacterial spores.

• Evaluation of a Genesis Air 2002 B Unit by RTI International during 2008 demonstrated high inactivation efficiency against Staphylococcus epidermidis (99.9 percent) and Mycobacterium parafortuitum (88.7 percent)..  The RTI evaluation was conducted at the request of the Government Scientific Source arising from concern over biowarfare agents.  RTI operates a dynamic microbiological test chamber allowing introduction of bioaerosol suspensions of challenge microorganisms with sampling of both upstream and downstream airflow at 1,800 CFM.

• RTI International conducted an evaluation of Genesis Model 2008 B3 unit during 2012.  Applying a standard protocol using the RTI dynamic microbiological test chamber the inactivation efficiency against Staphylococcus epidermidis attained 84.6 percent with a flow rate of 2,000 CFM.  The inactivation efficiency for Bacillus atrophaeus was 65.6 percent reflecting the durability of Bacillus spores.  This RTI evaluation was conducted at the request of Genesis Air, Inc.

•  LMS Technologies, Inc., Bloomington, MN., conducted an evaluation of a Genesis module against MS2 bacteriophage (ATCC 15597-B1).  The test was conducted in a horizontal ASHRAE 52.2 stainless steel test duct.  Three replicate assays were conducted with an efficiency ranging from 99.2 percent to 99.7 percent in reducing challenge virus in the downstream airflow. This evaluation demonstrated more efficient inactivation of the bacteriophage than in the 2008 RTI assay due to improved equipment to aerosolize the test virus.

• LMS Technologies conducted a chamber test against three biological contaminants during 2023.  Inactivation in excess of 99.9 percent was achieved against Staphylococcus epidermis, MS2 bacteriophage and Escherichia coli. The evaluation demonstrated similar levels of inactivation against the three organisms using Genesis Air RGS, RGS- Mini and Kestrel models. The evaluation was conducted on the three PCO units to obtain U.S. FDA certification.

Evaluations conducted by independent and reputable research agencies and institutions confirm the effectiveness of Genesis Air photocatalytic oxidation technology to remove bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens from airstreams under controlled experimental conditions. 

Within the context of egg storage, operation of hatcheries and transport of chicks, Genesis Air, Inc. photocatalytic oxidation technology represents a potential to enhance hatchability, the viability of chicks and their subsequent production.

Potential Applications of PCO Technology in the Poultry Industry

• Egg storage areas in breeder-level and commercial hatcheries to suppress levels of bacteria and fungi to improve hatchability.  Operation of Genesis Air equipment within HVAC installations or as free-standing units may reduce bacterial and fungal contamination in chick service areas based on evaluations conducted by third-party institutions.

• Installation of Genesis Air units in breakrooms and change areas may benefit workers and potentially reduce absenteeism in the event of reemergence of COVID or to suppress seasonal influenza.

• Inactivation of pathogens during breeder and commercial-level chick transport using vehicle-operated Genesis Air units may contribute to improved livability after placement.

• Table-egg packing and breaking plants including grading, processing and storage areas, break rooms and offices

References

Ahmadi, Y. et al. Recent Advances in Photocatalytic Removal of Airborne Pathogens in Air. The Science of the Total Environment 794 (2021) doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148477

Foster, H. et al. Photocatalytic Disinfection Using Titanium Dioxide: Spectrum and Mechanism of Antimicrobial Activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 90,1847-1868 (2011) doi.org/10.1007/s 00253-011-3213-7

He, F. et al. Photocatalytic Air Purification Mimicking the Self-Cleaning Process of the Atmosphere. Nature Communications.12:2528 (2021) doi.org/10.1038/s 41467-021-22839-0

Wu, J. et al. Ultraviolet Photocatalytic Technology for Indoor Volatile Organic     Compound Removal: A Critical Review with Particular Focus on By-product Formation and Modeling. J. Hazardous Materials 421 (2022) doi.org/10.1016/j hazmat.2021.126766

Contact

For additional information and to consider specific applications contact Dan Briggs, CEO at Genesis Air, dbriggs@genesisair.com or (806) 786 9115.