Multivariate Assessment of Microbiological and Incubation Data from an Experimental Trial Evaluating Essential Oil–Based Sanitizers and Formaldehyde on Hatching Eggs

Sanitization of hatching eggs is part of established poultry management practices, and its effectiveness is essential for productive success. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between microbiological and incubation performance variables obtained from a controlled experimental dataset of hatching eggs subjected to sanitization with essential oils or not under commercial conditions, and to determine the efficacy of these sanitizers, using a multivariate approach. Data were analyzed using principal component, canonical, cluster, and discriminant analysis. The results suggested that bacterial contamination of the eggshell may promote internal contamination, leading to embryonic mortality. Essential oil-based treatments are associated with lower microbial indicators and improved hatchability, while formaldehyde showed an opposite trend despite its antibacterial efficacy. Multivariate analyses clarified the interrelationships between microbiological and incubation performance variables, allowing the identification of response patterns that evidenced the functional efficiency of essential oil-based treatments for hatching egg sanitization under commercial conditions.