Effect of Glycerol Monocaprate (Monocaprin) on Broiler Chickens: An Attempt at Reducing Intestinal Campylobacter Infection

Abstract

Attempts have been made by several workers to prevent or to reduce colonization of Campylobacter in the intestines of broiler chickens by adding antibacterial agents to their food, but the results have varied. Monocaprin, the 1-monoglyceride of capric acid, has been found to be very active in killing Campylobacter in vitro. It was therefore studied whether Campylobacter infection in chickens would be affected by adding emulsions of monocaprin to their drinking water and feed. It was found that treatment with monocaprin in water and feed did not prevent spread of Campylobacter from artificially infected to noninfected 24-d-old chickens, but Campylobacter counts in cloacal swabs were significantly reduced, particularly during the first 2 d of treatment. There was also a significant reduction in the Campylobacter counts in cloacal swabs of naturally infected 36-d-old broilers that were treated for 3 d prior to slaughter. Addition of monocaprin to drinking water and feed 2 to 3 d before slaughter might therefore be considered as a means of reducing Campylobacter infection in broilers, possibly in conjunction with other antibacterial agents such as short-chain organic acids. Further studies are needed to determine whether this would reduce carcass contamination.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Non-Antibiotic Alternatives in Coccidia Challenged Broiler Chickens

“…This leads to more efficient feed utilization, better nutrient absorption and enhanced growth rates (Johansen et al, 2007). Although not without controversy, replacements for antibiotics such as prebiotics and probiotics are also thought to have some beneficial effect on the gut microflora by limiting the colonization of the gut by harmful microbes while promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms (Hilmarsson et al, 2006;Willis and Reid, 2008). Incidence of inflammation represents a major and consistent endpoint for determining the severity of insult to the gastrointestinal tract (Borrmann et al, 2007;Brisbin et al, 2008;Van Deun et al, 2008;Teirlynck et al, 2009).…”

How to Control Campylobacter in Poultry Farms?: An Overview of the Main Strategies

“…Conversely, another research group found a significant reduction (several logs) of Campylobacter in caeca of chickens when caprylic acid was given 3 days before slaughter [43]. In addition, another study showed that adding monocaprin to chicken feed the last 3 days before slaughter, resulted in a significant reduction of C. jejuni on feces samples of animals artificially or naturally infected, compared to controls [38]. These results, apparently contradictory, demonstrate the need to continue the investigations necessary to establish with greater certainty the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of this strategy in the control of Campylobacter in chicken farms…”

“…Studies by Byrd et al showed that adding 0.44% (vol/vol) of lactic acid in drinking water prior to slaughter, has reduced the level of contamination of carcasses with Campylobacter [37]. Hilmarsson et al showed that the addition of glycerol monocaprate (monocaprin) the last 3 days before slaughter, has reduced the number of C. jejuni in feces samples of chickens naturally or artificially infected [38].…”

Chitosan Supplementation Reduces Enteric Colonization of Campylobacter jejuni in Broiler Chickens and Down-Regulates Expression of Colonization Genes

“…Previous research conducted by our laboratory 15,20,30 and others [31][32][33] have highlighted the variability between trials when evaluating pre-harvest treatments against enteric Campylobacter. Because of this inherent variability associated with Campylobacter colonization studies, results from a single pre-harvest study may not fully evaluate the consistency or effectiveness of a Campylobacter intervention strategy.…”