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<OL> <LI> Determine the effects of organic acids on intestinal populations of Salmonella and animal health in swine and poultry. <LI> Determine if organic acids can kill pathogens in in vitro studies at various concentrations. <LI> Observe changes in microbial population in gut on animals fed levels of organic acids.
Approach: This research will be conducted in collaboration with a large feed-producing company from Italy. Swine and poultry in the US and EU are colonized by Salmonella, and this is a major food safety hazard. Organic acids have been shown to alter the microbial population of the gut, and to improve animal growth efficiency. Cattle and swine (approximately 80 swine and 200 broiler chicks) will be experimentally infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The animals will be fed organic acid products for 5 d at concentrations of 0, 2, or 20 kg/ton feed. The animals will be euthanized and samples collected from the gut to determine populations of inoculated Salmonella. In a follow-up study, the animals will be fed the organic acid diets prior to being challenged with Salmonella to examine whether the organic acids make the environment hostile to colonization. Fecal samples from control and organic acid fed animals will be used in studies to determine the optimal concentrations of the various acids to inhibit the growth of Salmonella in vitro.