Deenekamp Pascalle J M, Gladan Iram, Velkers Francisca C, Spaninks Mirlin P, Meurs Joris, Cristescu Simona M
Life Science Trace Detection Laboratory, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute for Molecules & Materials, Radboud University.
Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Poult Sci. 2025 Mar 25;104(6):105101. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105101.
Infestations by the poultry red mite (PRM) (Dermanyssus gallinae) in laying hen farms can have serious adverse effects on animal health and welfare, and lead to increased egg production costs. Early detection of the PRM is paramount to mitigate its negative impact and for effective pest control. However, current detection methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming. As poultry experts have reported that the presence of PRM is accompanied by a specific scent, opportunities lie in using odor-based detection methods. These methods may offer a fast and reliable alternative for identifying PRM infestations in early stages. To date, however, there is a lack of data on the odor profile of PRM as it has not been characterized. Therefore, in this study, the first step is taken towards determining the composition of the emitted scent of PRM. Samples of PRM and litter were collected across multiple commercial laying hen farms and subjected to TD-GC-MS analysis with subsequent multivariate analysis. Five highly specific volatile organic compound (VOC) targets were identified (1-vinyl-aziridine, 1H-pyrrole, 1-octen-3-one, heptanal and octanal), independent of housing type, feed and farm management. Although the metabolic origin of these VOCs could not be determined in this study, the odor character of several of these VOCs (1-octen-3-one, heptanal and octanal) matches the poultry experts' description. Furthermore, the specificity of all identified VOC targets to PRM samples make them highly interesting potential targets for odor-based detection of PRM infestation.
蛋鸡养殖场中家禽红螨（PRM）（鸡皮刺螨）的侵扰会对动物健康和福利产生严重不利影响，并导致产蛋成本增加。尽早发现家禽红螨对于减轻其负面影响和有效控制害虫至关重要。然而，目前的检测方法既耗费人力又耗时。由于家禽专家报告称家禽红螨的存在伴随着一种特殊气味，因此有望采用基于气味的检测方法。这些方法可能为早期识别家禽红螨侵扰提供一种快速可靠的替代方案。然而，迄今为止，由于尚未对家禽红螨的气味特征进行描述，因此缺乏关于其气味特征的数据。因此，在本研究中，朝着确定家禽红螨散发气味的成分迈出了第一步。在多个商业蛋鸡养殖场采集了家禽红螨和垫料样本，并对其进行了热脱附-气相色谱-质谱联用（TD-GC-MS）分析及后续多变量分析。确定了五个高度特异性的挥发性有机化合物（VOC）目标物（1-乙烯基氮杂环丙烷、1H-吡咯、1-辛烯-3-酮、庚醛和辛醛），它们与鸡舍类型、饲料和农场管理无关。尽管在本研究中无法确定这些挥发性有机化合物的代谢来源，但其中几种挥发性有机化合物（1-辛烯-3-酮、庚醛和辛醛）的气味特征与家禽专家的描述相符。此外，所有已确定的挥发性有机化合物目标物对家禽红螨样本的特异性使其成为基于气味检测家禽红螨侵扰的极具吸引力的潜在目标物。
