Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #302127
Title: Poly (Acetyl, Arginyl) Glucosamine as a Biofilm-reducing Water Line Treatment

Author
item TILLEY, SARAH - University Of Georgia
item BAKER, SHENDA - Synedgen, Inc
item Berrang, Mark
item HOFACRE, CHARLES - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Western Poultry Disease Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/20/2014
Publication Date: 4/2/2014
Citation: Tilley, S., Baker, S., Berrang, M.E., Hofacre, C. 2014. Poly (Acetyl, Arginyl) Glucosamine as a Biofilm-reducing Water Line Treatment. Western Poultry Disease Conference. April 2-5, 2014. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Interpretive Summary: Bacteria can form a sticky matrix and grow on the inner surface of poultry drinking water pipes. This biofilm can harbor human pathogens such as Salmonella creating potential for contamination and eventual colonization of birds drinking from the water lines. We tested the use of a natural chitosan derivative, poly (acetyl, arginyl) glusosamine (PAAG) to lessen Salmonella contamination within model poultry drinking water pipes. PVC pipe was purposely contaminated with Salmonella and treated with varying concentrations of PAAG. We found that all concentrations of PAAG resulted in less Salmonella detected in the pipes than the un-treated controls. This information can be useful to commercial poultry producers who may be interested in using a natural and organic chemical to treat drinker lines for control of bacterial biofilms.

Technical Abstract: Bacteria can attach and form biofilms on a surface hindering removal by common disinfectants. Some bacteria are better than others at forming this biofilm but once it is formed many pathogens can reside in the matrix. Salmonella spp. have been shown to have some biofilm forming capabilities but will also dwell in, replicate, and potentially contaminate existing biofilms in poultry drinker water lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a natural chitosan derivative polymer, poly (acetyl, arginyl) glucosamine (PAAG), on the prevention and breakdown of biofilms harboring Salmonella enteriditis. Varying concentrations of PAAG were used with an experimental design of poultry water lines contaminated with S. enteriditis over two experiments. The PVC fittings were allowed to incubate with S. enteriditis before PAAG addition and then permitted to incubate for another period of time before sampling. In both experiments the control (no PAAG) groups showed S. enteriditis levels of over 8 log CFU/mL whereas the PAAG treated groups all decreased when 500-1000ug/mL PAAG was applied. This demonstrates that PAAG may have utility to control S. enteriditis in poultry drinking water lines.