Aviplus treatment reduces E. coli and Salmonella populations in pure and mixed ruminal culture fermentations

Foodborne pathogenic bacteria can live in the intestinal tract of cattle, swine and poultry and can be transmitted to humans through the food supply or indirectly through animal/fecal contact. Organic acid products have been used as non-antibiotic modifiers of the gastrointestinal fer- mentation of food animals to improve animal health and performance. However, the impact of these organic acid products on foodborne pathogens remains unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effects of a commercial organic acid product on populations of the foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium. Pure cultures (2 × 103 CFU/mL) of each pathogen were added to tubes that contained water-solubilized Aviplus® added at of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10% (w/v; n = 4). Water-solubilized Aviplus® reduced (P < 0.05) the growth rate and final populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium in pure culture at concentrations greater than 2% w/v. In further in vitro studies, E. coli O157:H7 and were added to mixed ruminal bacterial fermentations collected from cattle fed a pasture-based diet. The in vitro fermentations contained water- solubilized Aviplus at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% (w/v; n = 2) and were incubated for 24 h. Aviplus® addition reduced (P < 0.05) final populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium in the rumi- nal fluid at concentrations >5% w/v. The A:P ratios from the in vitro ruminal fermentations were reduced (P < 0.05) by solubilized Aviplus® treatment and total VFA production was not affected, but methane and ammonia concentrations were decreased. Organic acid products, such as Aviplus®, can alter the intestinal microbial ecology and enhance animal productivity and health. Under in vitro conditions, solubilized Aviplus® can be used to reduce populations of pathogenic bacteria. Intervention strategies to reduce foodborne pathogens that can improve animal performance have the advantage of a food safety intervention that pays for itself financially.

 

(2010) Proceeding of ADSA-CSAS-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting. July, 11-15, Denver, CO.