Sporulation rate and viability of Eimeria tenella oocysts stored in potassium sorbate solution.

In order to find a new preservation solution for avian coccidial oocysts that can replace potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) solution, Eimeria tenella oocysts were preserved in 0.1 to 10% potassium sorbate (C6H7KO2) solution in this study. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the sporulation rate of E. tenella oocysts preserved in 0.1 to 10% C6H7KO2 solution and in 2.5% K2Cr2O7 solution (p > 0.05). The 0.5 to 10% C6H7KO2 solution could also effectively inhibit the growth of bacterial microorganisms. E. tenella oocysts preserved in 1% C6H7KO2 solution at 4 °C for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, with the oocyst production of E. tenella oocysts being 1.3-, 1.2-, 1.6-, and 1.3-fold higher than that of oocysts stored in 2.5% K2Cr2O7 solution (p < 0.05). In conclusion, C6H7KO2 could replace K2Cr2O7 as the preservation solution of avian coccidial oocysts.