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The overall objective for this technology during Phase I research is to develop and challenge test a novel broiler litter disinfectant. The goal of Phase I research will be to show a significant reduction of pathogenic microorganisms in vitro and in vivo. Lynntech will: first demonstrate the ability of the DE/diperacid disinfectant formulation to kill Campylobacter and Salmonella in the presence of high organic load in the laboratory, and second complete a six week study under the supervision of Dr. John Carey at Texas A&M University, in which the disinfectant formulation will be added to the poultry litter of 1-day old broiler chicks and efficacy evaluated at 21 and 42 days. The disinfectant will be considered effective if significant reduction of pathogenic microbes is seen after three weeks in treated samples as compared to untreated controls.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: While the American food supply is among the safest in the world, there are still millions of Americans stricken every year by foodborne illnesses, and some 9,000 a year (mostly the very young and elderly) die as a result. Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. have both been established as major causes of infectious disease in man, and poultry-borne transmission of these bacteria has been implicated as a major route of infection. An estimated 2.1-2.4 million cases of human campylobacteriosis and 1.4 million cases of salmonellosis occur each year. For these reasons, control of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and other foodborne pathogens continues to gain recognition as a serious research priority for many regulatory agencies. It is clear that the origin of these pathogens in poultry processing plants is in the broiler flock of product origin. As such, foodborne pathogen control can have a major impact in reducing contamination of fresh poultry meat products with these agents of human foodborne disease. Therefore, in this Phase I SBIR project Lynntech Inc., will demonstrate a new antimicrobial formulation specifically designed to reduce the pathogen population in chicken litter thus preventing transmission of the microorganisms throughout the flock and subsequently to the consumer.
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APPROACH: Lynntech has pioneered a new technique where peroxygen compounds can be synthesized and isolated as solid, concentrated powder with an extended shelf-life. The powders are soluble in water so that large quantities of liquid disinfectant can be safely and easily prepared, when desired. Thus, dipercarboxylic acid powders combine the desirable properties of peracetic acid with the safe and convenient properties of a concentrated powder. Lynntech filed a United States Patent on December 15, 2000 for the use of dipercarboxylic acid powders to prepare sterilizing and high-level disinfecting solutions. Table 2 describes some of the features and benefits of the dipercarboxylic acids. The solid dipercarboxylic acids will be prepared by the reaction shown in Figure 1. Straight chain aliphatic dipercarboxylic acids of the type shown in the figure have been prepared at Lynntech and they include diperglutaric (C5), diperadipic (C6), diperpimelic (C7), dipersuberic (C8), diperazelaic (C9), and dipersebacic (C10) acids. Each diperacid will be evaluated in conjunction with DE as described in the Phase I work plan. The technical approach involves combining Lynntechs dipercarboxylic acid technology with DE for application as a poultry litter disinfectant. Specifically, DE will be utilized as a carrier for the diperacids. DE is an ideal carrier as it can absorb two to three times its own weight in liquids yet remain free flowing. Dr. John Carey, Associate Department Head and Extension Program Leader, Department of Poultry Science at Texas A&M University, has agreed to act as a subcontractor for Lynntech during Phase I Research. Dr. Carey will provide the poultry litter to be used in challenge testing in Task 2. In addition, Dr. Carey will supervise and carry out Task 3 in which a six week study will be conducted using day old broiler chicks.
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PROGRESS: 2007/05 TO 2008/01<BR>
OUTPUTS: Information obtained during the course of Phase I studies has been disseminated to USDA through a report completed at the midpoint of Phase I studies and through a final report submitted at the end of project research after submission of the Phase II proposal. Additionally, results and conclusions have been shared with our commercial partner, Mr. Clyde Evons of DiaCore LLC, specifically in relation to the performance of the diatomaceous earth based litter amendment formulation. Results and conclusions were also shared with our subcontractors at the Texas A&M University Poultry Science Department, Dr. John Carey, Dr. Michael Davis, and Ms. Eryn Larrison. Davis and Larrison presented a powerpoint presentation of results and conclusions from Phase I studies to the Hispanic Leadership Program in Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Sharing Workshop, College Station, TX in February 2008 and plan to submit a poster in July 2008 at the. Poultry Science Association Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada. Phase I methodology, results, and conclusions along with Phase II study design and plans were discussed in depth with our planned Phase II subcontractors, Dr. David Caldwell of Texas A&M University Poultry Science Department and Dr. James Allen Byrd of the USDA-ARS in College Station, Texas. <BR> PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Ultimately, the goal of Phase I studies was to develop a litter amendment that demonstrated a significant reduction of pathogenic microorganisms during in vivo studies. Initially, our technical approach was to develop an amendment formulation based on DE and Lynntech's own proprietary dipercarboxylic acids. However, results from Phase I in vitro studies showed other formulations were more effective, and ultimately, these formulations were evaluated during in vivo studies.
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IMPACT: 2007/05 TO 2008/01<BR>
During Phase I research, Lynntech developed and tested two litter amendment formulations. These new amendment formulations were designed to significantly reduce the pathogen population in the litter, thus reducing the incidence of internal colonization, external contamination on poult feet and feathers, and ultimately limit or eliminate horizontal transmission of harmful microorganisms throughout the flock. Acidic calcium sulfate or ACS, a potent biocide/fungicide and pH modifying compound was combined with either diatomaceous earth, DE or hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate, HSCAS to form two distinct litter amendment formulations. The DE or HSCAS served as the carrier for delivery of ACS to the contaminated site, the litter. In vivo and in vitro studies were conducted to determine the optimal amendment formulation and Phase I results actually inferred that a mixture of the two amendment formulations should provide the most optimal treatment. Based on the results from the Phase I in vivo studies it seems reasonable to further hypothesize that both HSCAS and DE when mixed with the ACS blend have a positive impact on bird performance and pathogen colonization, respectively. This conclusion provided the basis for a DE/HSCAS blended product that will be investigated in Phase II.