Location: Poultry Production and Product Safety Research
Project Number: 6022-32420-001-013-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2018
End Date: Jun 30, 2023
Objective:
1. Investigate the use of novel antibiotic alternatives as potential intervention/control strategies to reduce the colonization of the foodborne pathogens Salmonella and Campylobacter in poultry and poultry products.
2. Improve the antimicrobial efficacy of antibiotic alternatives with use of novel compound carriers and delivery methods.
3. Delineate the mechanism(s) of action of antibiotic alternatives using proteomics approach.
Approach:
USDA-ARS and University of Arkansas are both interested in the development of antibiotic alternatives to reduce food borne pathogens for the poultry industry. The enteric pathogens Salmonella and Campylobacter infect poultry leading to potential disease and are significant agents for human food borne illness. Our research team has conducted studies on the efficacy of several natural alternatives for prevention of foodborne diseases associated with poultry products. These compounds are all natural (including trans-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, carvacrol, caprylic acid), have been listed as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) by the FDA, and have demonstrated significant pathogen control efficacy and beneficial effects on gut health. However, the low solubility and volatility of phytochemicals are a concern and thwart their application in the poultry industry. To circumvent this issue, we are using nanotechnology as a tool to increase the solubility, delivery and antimicrobial efficacy of phytochemicals. We will study the efficacy of phytochemical nanoemulsions as in-water supplementation for reducing colonization of Salmonella and Campylobacter in chickens. In addition, the efficacy of phytochemical nanoemulsions to control Salmonella and Campylobacter survival in poultry processing environment and poultry products will be investigated. Phytochemical nanoemulsions will be prepared using standard, published protocols such as high energy process, ion-gelation, low energy process using natural emulsifiers such as lecithin, ethanol, tween-80, tween-20. The quality of the nanoemulsion (particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential) will be tested on a Nano ZS Zetasizer. The stability of phytochemical nanoemulsions in a range of temperature, pH and time will be investigated to further characterize the treatments. It is anticipated that the supplementation with GRAS status phytochemical nanoemulsions will protect chickens against pathogen colonization thereby reducing the risk of human infections. Moreover, phytochemical nanoemulsions will be effective in reducing Salmonella and Campylobacter survival in processing environment and in poultry products.
