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Formaldehyde kills bugs The process of using Termin-8 involves applying aqueous formaldehyde onto the feed in a mist or atomised spray while mixing the feed components in a manner that ensures uniform production of a chemical adduct between formaldehydeand the feed. Anitox have found that formaldehyde-treated feedstuffs resist recontamination long after the formaldehydeitself has dissipated, up to 60 days or more. This bacterial resistance is correlated with the quantity and uniformity of distribution of a hydrolysable formaldehyde adduct, which can be readily recovered from the feed and measured. Themore evenly distributed this adduct is, the more resistant to recontamination the feed is. Bacterial resistance is importantbecause conventional feedstuffs are usually contaminated during transport and storage under the inadequate sanitary conditions. Feed generally becomes recontaminated during transport by passing through contaminated feed-handling equipment, such as augers, elevators, drag lines, bagging equipment and trucks. In storage, feed can become recontaminated by storage bins or by contact with dust, insects, rodents, birds and other animals. The quantity of bacteria capable of contaminating the feed may vary from less than 1 colony per gram, up to numerous colonies per gramme of feed. It is very difficult to keep the animals healthy when they are eating contaminated feed.(Source: www.patenstorm.us) |
In the poultry sector, pathogen control measures have led to even higher standards in an industry that already puts tremendous effort and resources into minimising the risk of infection. For example, 95% of UK layer producers vaccinate. Additionally, breeder feeds delivered in bulk for parent/grandparent stock of all species are now heat-treated.
In many countries the presence of Salmonella still continues to cause significant economic loss. The problem is multi-factorial and with no single source of infection it challenges poultry at every stage of production. Whilst birds kept outdoors are generally thought of as being ‘healthier’, it is impossible to control the outdoor environment. Consequently, the more free-range the system, the greater the challenges.
Salmonella, Campylobacter and Listeria - the main pathogens that cause problems in humans - have all been found in feed. Even if the feed is heat-treated during pelleting, this may not be sufficient to kill all pathogens, particularly Clostridia perfringens, which can survive very high temperatures. Contamination will therefore occur unless additional measures are implemented to guarantee that the feed is free from pathogens.
Unlike heat-treatment, Anitox Termin-8® prevents recontamination during the handling, storage and transportation phases. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label claim that it does so for up to 21 days. Because the product works only in the feed, it has no residual effect in the gastrointestinal tract, leaves no residue in tissue, eggs or milk, has no withdrawal time, and does not reduce beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
Study feed treatment
An independent study conducted by Anderson and Richardson in 1999 investigated how the control of bacteria in feed can improve egg production and quality in laying flocks. Using Hyline W36 white layers from 17-66 weeks of age, it showed that Termin-8® produced considerable improvements. Whilst feed consumption fell from 113.7 g/day to 113.5 g/day, annual egg production rose from an average of 270.1 eggs to 274.7, and daily egg mass rose from 46.7 g to 47.8 g. The shell surface Enterobacteriaceae count declined from 11,600 CFU/egg to 1,460 CFU/egg, overall Enterobacteriaceae levels fell from 7,233 CFU/g to 42 CFU/g, and coliform levels reduced from 597 CFU/g to zero.
The relative importance of different sources of Salmonella infections in animals varies, but in regions with a low prevalence, or where endemic infection is well controlled or absent, feed is the major source for introducing it into the production chain. For precisely this reason many of the world’s major feed companies use a treatment programme to ensure that feed is pathogen-free. This is particularly important in countries with high average ambient temperatures, such as the Middle East.
More information can be obtained from Anitox at www.anitox.co.uk
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