Project Number: 6226-32000-011-07
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2012
End Date: Jun 30, 2017

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research is to develop alternatives to antibiotics and sustainable production strategies that reduce pathogen colonization in poultry and livestock and improve production efficiency for farmers.

Approach:
We are focused on a comprehensive approach to reduce pathogen and disease sources in organic poultry production systems. Caprylic acid (CA) is a natural, fatty acid present in bovine milk and coconut oil, and is an FDA-approved food-grade compound. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) is also a food-grade compound naturally present in cinnamon oil. Our preliminary research indicates that CA and TC as well as other natural plant extracts are bactericidal on Salmonella and Campylobacter, highlighting the potential of CA and TC as new tools to control these pathogens in organic poultry. In addition treating birds and the litter with natural products such as these essential oils, probiotics, and bacteriophage will also be assessed.