Study on the Disinfection Efficacy of Common Commercial Disinfectants in China Against Mastitis-Causing Pathogens and Bedding Materials in Large-Scale Dairy Farms

To address the challenges in preventing and controlling mastitis caused by <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in large-scale dairy farms, as well as the issues of traditional disinfection protocols relying on experience and exhibiting significant efficacy fluctuations, this study aimed to systematically explore optimal disinfection strategies adapted to different scenarios and seasons. Five common commercial disinfectants in China were selected to target the two aforementioned pathogenic strains. Experiments were conducted under three typical scenarios-bacterial suspension, stainless steel carriers (simulating milking equipment), and cow dung cubicle bedding-and three temperature conditions (4 °C, 25 °C, 37 °C, simulating seasonal temperatures). A series of tests were performed, including neutralizer identification tests, determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), quantitative suspension and carrier spray disinfection tests, and monitoring of bacterial growth and decline in cow dung cubicle bedding. These tests were used to quantitatively analyze the regulatory mechanisms of disinfectant concentration, action time, and environmental temperature on disinfection efficacy. The Compound Glutaral Solution (CGS) exhibited the best overall performance, with strong temperature stability across all scenarios and high-efficiency bactericidal activity even at low concentrations. Additionally, the combined system of the CGS and bleaching powder (BP) achieved the optimal effect in controlling bacterial rebound in the cow dung cubicle bedding scenario. This study clarified the scenario-specific adaptation rules of different disinfectants and established a scenario-specific precision disinfection strategy for dairy farms. It provides a scientific basis for improving the level of mastitis prevention and control and optimizing biosafety systems, while also offering references for the disinfection of hard surfaces in fields such as healthcare and food processing.