B15008: Control of campylobacter in extensively reared chickens – an investigation of growth inhibition and inactivation of campylobacter by plant extracts

Tuesday 26 July 2005

This research project will screen a shortlist of plant extracts (terpenes) in-vitro , both in pure culture and mixed culture using chicken caecal contents for anti-microbial activity against Campylobacter jejuni .

Study Duration : December 2004 to November 2005

Contractor : University of Kingston

Background

Measures aimed at controlling campylobacter in broilers are unlikely to be effective in controlling campylobacter colonisation in non-housed flocks. Dietary intervention, processing aids and drinking water additives are all potential control measures, which, if successful, could also be used in broiler chickens. This project aims to screen a shortlist of novel plant extracts for anti-microbial activity against strains of campylobacter.

Research Approach

The approaches consist of:

a state-of-the-art situation report on plant anti-microbials to control food pathogens with special reference to campylobacter control in poultry
initial screening of a library of plant extracts to identify novel compounds with potential anti-microbial activity
use of an agar diffusion method to screen shortlist of plant extracts for bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against Campylobacter jejuni
screening additional commercially available natural products
testing effect of selected promising anti-microbials on mixed caecal cultures of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from the chicken gut

Results and findings

This project was undertaken to provide information on the potential effectiveness of plant extracts, notably tannins, to inhibit the growth of campylobacters. Tannins were extracted from commercially available products as supplied to the leather industry and from whole plant extracts. A number of extracts showed inhibitory activity towards strains of campylobacters. There was no significant difference in the inhibition recorded between C. jejuni and C. coli strains. Results suggest that different tannin types from various sources as well as within the same genus of plant have significantly different activities. Different strains of campylobacter differed in the degree of reduction of viability in cell suspension assays. Many of the fractions with growth inhibitory activity were from agro-industrial waste products (e.g. willow residues, pressed fruit residues, spent oak leaves). A pilot study showed that stored tannin samples retained some inhibitory activity.

Dissemination information

The final report is available from the Agency's Information Centre.
To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Information Services, Food Standards Agency (tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email: infocentre@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk )

Contact : For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or email: science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

Graphic version of this page

B15008: Control of campylobacter in extensively reared chickens – an investigation of growth inhibition and inactivation of campylobacter by plant extracts

Background

Research Approach

Results and findings

Dissemination information

Tell a Friend

Printer friendly

Contact us

Get alerts

Our Sites