Medium Chain Fatty Acid Blend Research Articles

Assessing the effects of medium-chain fatty acids and fat sources on PEDV infectivity.

:The overall objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) to other common fat sources to minimize the risk of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) cross-contamination in a pig bioassay. Treatments were feed with mitigants inoculated with PEDV after application and were: 1) positive control with no chemical treatment; 2) 0.325% commercially available formaldehyde-based product; 3) 1% blend of 1:1:1 caproic (C6), caprylic (C8), and capric acids (C10) and applied with an aerosolizing nozzle; 4) treatment 3 applied directly into the mixer without an aerosolizing nozzle; 5) 0.66% caproic acid; 6) 0.66% caprylic acid; 7) 0.66% capric acid; 8) 0.66% lauric acid; 9) 1% blend of 1:1 capric and lauric acids; 10) 0.3% commercially available dry C12 product; 11) 1% canola oil; 12) 1% choice white grease; 13) 2% coconut oil; 14) 1% coconut oil; 15) 2% palm kernel oil; 16) 1% palm kernel oil; 17) 1% soy oil and four analysis days (0, 1, 3, and 7 post inoculation) as well as 1 treatment of PEDV-negative feed without chemical treatment. There was a treatment × day interaction (P < 0.002) for detectable PEDV RNA. The magnitude of the increase in Ct value from d 0 to 7 was dependent upon the individual treatments. Feed treated with individual MCFA, 1% MCFA blend, or commercial-based formaldehyde had fewer (P < 0.05) detectable viral particles than all other treatments. Commercial-based formaldehyde, 1% MCFA, 0.66% caproic, 0.66% caprylic, and 0.66% capric acids had no evidence of infectivity 10-d old pig bioassay, while there was no evidence the C12 commercial product or longer chain fat sources inhibited PEDV infectivity. Interestingly, pigs given the coconut oil source with the highest composition of caprylic and capric only showed signs of infectivity on the last day of bioassay. These data suggest some MCFA have potential for reducing post feed manufacture PEDV contamination.

Effect of dietary medium-chain fatty acids on nursery pig growth performance, fecal microbial composition, and mitigation properties against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus following storage.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) addition on nursery pig growth performance, fecal microbial composition, and mitigation of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) following storage. A total of 360 pigs (DNA 400 × 200, Columbus, NE; initially 6.7 ± 0.07 kg) were randomized to pens (5 pigs per pen) on the day of weaning (approximately 20 d of age), allowed a 6-d acclimation, blocked by BW, and randomized to dietary treatment (9 pens per treatment). All MCFA (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) were guaranteed ≥98% purity, including hexanoic (C6:0), octanoic (C8:0), and decanoic (C10:0) acids. Treatment diets were formulated in 2 phases (7 to 11 and 11 to 23 kg BW) and formulated to meet or exceed NRC requirement estimates. Treatments (n = 8) were a dose response including 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% added MCFA blend (1:1:1 ratio C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0), as well as treatments with individual additions of 0.5% C6:0, C8:0, or C10:0. Fecal samples were collected from pigs fed control and 1.5% MCFA blend diets on days 0 and 14 and analyzed using 16s rDNA sequencing. Following feed manufacture, feed was stored in bags at barn temperature and humidity for 40 d before laboratory inoculation with PEDV. Subsamples of retained feed were inoculated with PEDV to achieve a titer of 104 TCID50/g and separate sample bottles were analyzed on 0 and 3 d post-inoculation (dpi). Overall, ADG and ADFI were increased (linear, P ≤ 0.010) and feed efficiency (G:F) improved (linear, P = 0.004) with increasing MCFA blend. Pigs fed 0.5% C8:0 had greater (P = 0.038) ADG compared with pigs fed the control diet, and G:F was improved (P ≤ 0.024) when pigs were fed 0.5% C6:0, 0.5% C8:0, or 0.5% C10:0 compared with control. An inclusion level × day interaction was observed (quadratic, P = 0.023), where PEDV Ct values increased (quadratic, P = 0.001) on 0 dpi with increasing levels of MCFA blend inclusion and also increased on 3 dpi (linear, P < 0.001). Fecal microbial diversity and composition were similar between control and 1.5% MCFA blend. In summary, the use of MCFA in nursery pig diets improves growth performance, provides residual mitigation activity against PEDV, and does not significantly alter fecal microbial composition.

Take care of the environment: housing conditions affect the interplay of nutritional interventions and intestinal microbiota in broiler chickens

BackgroundThe intestinal microbiota is shaped by many interactions between microorganisms, host, diet, and the environment. Exposure to microorganisms present in the environment, and exchange of microorganisms between hosts sharing the same environment, can influence intestinal microbiota of individuals, but how this affects microbiota studies is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of experimental housing circumstances on intestinal microbiota composition in broiler chickens, and how these effects may influence the capacity to determine diet related effects in a nutrition experiment. A cross-sectional experiment was conducted simultaneously in a feed research facility with mesh panels between pens (Housing condition 1, H1), in an extensively cleaned stable with floor pens with solid wooden panels (H2), and in isolators (H3). In H1 and H2 different distances between pens were created to assess gut microbiota exchange between pens. Feed with and without a blend of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) was used to create differences in cecal microbiota between pens or isolators within the same housing condition. Male one-day-old Ross broiler chickens (n = 370) were randomly distributed across H1, H2, and H3. After 35 days cecal microbiota composition was assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. Metabolic functioning of cecal content was assessed based on high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsMicrobial alpha diversity was not affected in broilers fed +MCFA in H1 but was increased in H2 and H3. Based on weighted UniFrac distances, the nutritional intervention explained 10%, whereas housing condition explained 28% of cecal microbiota variation between all broilers. The effect size of the nutritional intervention varied within housing conditions between 11, 27, and 13% for H1, H2, and H3. Furthermore, performance and metabolic output were significantly different between housing conditions. The distance between pens within H1 and H2 did not influence the percentage of shared genera or operational taxonomic units (OTUs).ConclusionsThe cecal microbiota of broilers was modifiable by a nutritional intervention, but the housing condition affected microbiota composition and functionality stronger than the diet intervention. Consequently, for interpretation of intestinal microbiota studies in poultry it is essential to be aware of the potentially large impact of housing conditions on the obtained results.

Effects of a feed additive blend on broilers challenged with heat stress

ABSTRACTWe evaluated a blend of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), organic acids, and a polyphenol antioxidant on gut integrity. Eighty Ross Broilers were exposed to 20–22°C (control – normothermic) or to 35–39.5°C (heat stress) for eight hours a day for a period of 1 or 5 days. Birds were fed a standard diet, or a diet supplemented with the test blend. Thereafter, birds were euthanized, and intestinal sections were excised for morphological, morphometric and gene expression analyses. Blood samples were collected for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) determination. Heart and liver tissues were used to quantify the expression of heat shock proteins 60 and 70 (HSP60 and HSP70, respectively) and inhibitor of kappa light chain gene enhancer in B cells alpha (IKBA). The jejunum was the most sensitive intestinal section, where heat stress modulated the expression of HSP70, of the inflammatory markers IKBA, interleukin 8 (IL-8), interferon gamma (IFNγ), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Moreover, expression of tight junctions (CLDN1, ZO1 and ZO2) and nutrient transporters (PEPT1 and EAAT3) was modulated especially in the jejunum. In conclusion, the feed additive blend protected intestines during heat stress from the decrease in villus height and crypt depth, and from the increase in villus width. Especially in the jejunum, heat stress played an important role by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation, impairing gut integrity and nutrient transport, and such deleterious effects were alleviated by the feed additive blend.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSJejunum is the most sensitive intestinal segment during heat stress.Heat stress affects the expression of tight junctions and nutrient transporters.Feed management helps to alleviate the disturbances caused by heat stress.A blend of MCFA, organic acids and a polyphenol protects broilers under heat stress.

133 Effect of a proprietary medium chain fatty acid blend on nursery pig performance

Abstract Previous studies have shown that the inclusion of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) results in an improvement in nursery pig performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate a proprietary C8:C10 MCFA blend (CaptiSURE, Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) on nursery pig performance. A total of 360 weaned piglets (initial BW = 6.1 kg) were randomly assigned to a control (no MCFA blend) or 10 kg/t MCFA blend (10 pigs/pen, 18 replicate pens/treatment), in which MCFA blend was substituted at the expense of tallow at a 1:1 rate. Diets were manufactured in 3 dietary phases (d 0–7, 7–21, and 21–42) in pelleted form. Due to an unintended bacterial challenge at the sow farm, pigs were treated with amoxicillin using a pulse protocol (48 hrs on / 48 hrs off) from placement to d 21. Data were analyzed using the students T-test procedure, and pen served as the experimental unit. Within dietary phase 2 (d 7–21), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (264g vs 326g, P = 0.017) and G:F (0.79 vs 0.89, P = 0.005), while exhibiting a trend to improve ADFI (330g vs 364g, P = 0.080). Within dietary phase 3 (d 21–42), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (518g vs 581g, P = 0.024) and ADFI (719g vs 799g, P = 0.006). Overall (d 0–42), the inclusion of MCFA blend improved ADG (379g vs 438g, P = 0.007), ADFI (503g vs 0.562g, P = 0.009), and G:F (0.75 vs 0.78, P = 0.042), resulting in a 2 kg heavier pig (P = 0.043). In summary, the inclusion of a proprietary C8:C10 MCFA blend at 1.0% in nursery pig diets improved growth performance.

134 Evaluation of a medium chain fatty acid-based feed additive for nursery pigs

Abstract A total of 350 pigs (DNA 400×200, initial BW=6.3 kg) were used in a 34-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA)-based feed additive in nursery pig diets. Following arrival to the nursery facility, pigs were randomized to pens (5 pigs per pen) and allowed a 4-d acclimation period. Thereafter, pens of pigs were blocked by BW and randomized to 1 of 5 dietary treatments (14 pens per treatment). Treatments were a dose response of 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% MCFA-based additive (CaptiSURE, Kemin Industries, Inc.; Des Moines, IA) as well as a treatment including 1.0% MCFA from a 1:1:1 blend of C6, C8, and C10 (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). Treatment diets were formulated and manufactured in two dietary phases (d 0 to 13 and 13 to 34). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with pen serving as the experimental unit. Overall (d 0 to 34), increasing CaptiSURE increased (linear, P ≤ 0.014) ADG and ADFI. Feed efficiency improved (quadratic, P = 0.002) with increasing CaptiSURE up to 1% of the diet with no benefit thereafter. As a result of the linear improvement in ADG, pigs fed 2.0% CaptiSURE were 1.8 kg heavier (P = 0.05) than pigs fed diets without MCFA at d 34. There was no evidence for differences between pigs fed 1.0% CaptiSURE and pigs fed the 1.0% MCFA blend of C6, C8, and C10 in phase 1, phase 2 or in overall performance. In summary, the addition of up to 2% of this MCFA-based additive in nursery pig diets resulted in linear improvements in ADG and ADFI. The MCFA-based feed additive also resulted in a similar improvement in growth performance as the C6, C8, and C10 MCFA blend when both were added at 1% of the diet.

Effects of a blend of organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids with and without Enterococcus faecium on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and meat quality in finishing pigs

An experiment was conducted to assess effects of Enterococcus faecium and a blend of organic acids (OAs) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in finishing pigs. A total of 120 pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace); 51.04 ± 1.82 kg] were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments: CON, basal diet; BOM1, CON + 500 mg kg−1 blend of OAs and MCFAs; BOM2, CON + 1000 mg kg−1 blend of OAs and MCFAs; EBOM1, BOM1 + 20 mg kg−1 E. faecium; EBOM2, BOM2 + 20 mg kg−1 E. faecium. Pigs fed EBOM1 and EBOM2 diets had higher average daily gain and average daily feed intake (during days 36–70 and days 1–70) and greater digestibility of dry matter (days 35 and 70) compared with those fed BOM1 and BOM2 diets (P &lt; 0.05). However, no differences on blood parameters and meat quality were observed between pigs offered BOM1 and BOM2 diets and those fed EBOM1 and EBOM2 diets (P &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with the combination of E. faecium and a blend of OAs and MCFAs was more effective in improving growth performance and nutrient digestibility than supplementation with blend of OAs and MCFAs alone in finishing pigs.

Evaluation of the blend of organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids in matrix coating as antibiotic growth promoter alternative on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, excreta microflora, and carcass quality in broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the blend of organic acids (OAs) and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) in broiler chickens. A total of 816 1-d-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens (35 ± 0.44g) were randomly allocated into 1 of the following 6 dietary treatments (17 broilers per pen with 8 pens per treatment): dietary treatments consisted of corn-soybean meal-based basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.06% blend of OAs and MCFAs. The study lasted 5 wk during which growth performance was determined. In the current study, the inclusion of 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.06% blend of OAs and MCFAs in the basal diet linearly increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain and improved feed conversion ratio (P < 0.0001) on day 7 to 14, day 14 to 35, as well as overall. Increasing inclusion of the blend of OAs and MCFAs levels in the diets also linearly increased (P = 0.001) the digestibility of dry matter on day 35. Broilers fed with different levels of the blend of OAs and MCFAs showed a linear increment (P = 0.042) in Lactobacillus concentration and decrease (P = 0.002) in Escherichia coli concentration. With regard to relative organ weight, a trend of linear reduction (P = 0.052) in bursa of Fabricius weight of broilers fed the blend of OAs and MCFAs was observed. There was a significant linear improvement (P = 0.011) in the IgG concentration associated with the inclusion of the blend of OAs and MCFAs levels in the diets. In conclusion, the blend of OAs and MCFAs supplementation positively influenced growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and excreta microflora in broiler chickens.

Effects of a matrix-coated organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids blend on performance, and in vitro fecal noxious gas emissions in growing pigs fed in-feed antibiotic-free diets

This study evaluated the efficacy of a matrix-coated organic acids and medium-chain fatty acids blend (MCOFA) in growing pigs. Ninety six pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average body weight (BW) of 47.71 ± 3.73 kg were used in a 6 wk experiment. Pigs were allotted to diets containing 0 or 2 g kg−1 of MCOFA, and 0 or 2.5 g kg−1 of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pigs fed diets supplemented with MCOFA had improved growth efficiency compared with those fed a diet without MCOFA (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs receiving the diets supplemented with both AGP and MCOFA had higher apparent total tract digestibility of crude protein, dry matter, fat, and gross energy (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed AGP × MCOFA diet had increased serum urea nitrogen (P &lt; 0.05). Pigs fed diets supplemented with AGP had reduced fecal ammonia (NH3) gas emissions compared with those fed without AGP (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, pigs fed diets supplemented with MCOFA had reduced fecal NH3 and acetic acid gas emissions compared with those fed without MCOFA (P &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with MCOFA improved performance in growing pigs.

105 Young Scholar Presentation: A Review of Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Their Recent Role in Feed Safety.

Medium chain fatty acids (MCFA), have been researched extensively to reduce the likelihood of animal feed being contaminated by biological pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. Medium chain fatty acids have shown to be bactericidal and bacteriostatic by incorporating themselves into the lipid membrane of bacteria, which alters the cell membrane permeability leading to cell death. However, the effectiveness can be dependent upon the MCFA chain length and species of bacteria. Most research completed prior to 2013 focused on the antimicrobial properties of MCFA. However, with the emergence of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV), MCFA began to gain more attention for their potential uses in feed safety and swine nutrition as a potential antiviral additive. Medium chain fatty acids have shown repeated success against PEDV in vivo and in vitro. Notably, 2% MCFA [1:1:1 blend of caproic, caprylic, and capric] was equally successful at mitigating PEDV as commercially-available formaldehyde products in complete swine feed (P>0.05). However, the effectiveness varies within feed matrix, as MCFA was not as effective as formaldehyde at mitigation in spray dried animal plasma and meat and bone meal (P<0.05). A lower concentration of the MCFA blend (1%), as well as the individual addition of 0.66% caproic, 0.66% caprylic, or 0.66% capric acids also enhanced the RNA degradation of PEDV in complete swine feed (P<0.05). Other research has evaluated the same 2% MCFA blend in a transboundary based study, replicating the time and environmental condition that feed ingredients undertake during a trip from China to the United States. Again, the MCFA treated ingredients were deemed to be negative throughout the simulated transboundary trip (P<0.05). Medium chain fatty acids have also been evaluated as a surface decontaminate and as a potential feed mill flush step. However, the overall effectiveness was not as substantial as the results observed in the feed ingredient studies. Currently, it is not known what the exact mode of action of the MCFA is against PEDV, but it is hypothesize that the MCFA are interacting with the lipid bilayer envelope of the virus and altering the envelope in a way in which it cannot bind with the host receptors. This mode of action would be similar to that of the bacteria as both outer membranes consist of a lipid bilayer. Future research is now focused on the use of MCFA against other enveloped and non-enveloped swine viruses as well as an antibiotic alternative in swine production.

Feeding the blend of organic acids and medium chain fatty acids reduces the diarrhea in piglets orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88

A 3-wk experiment was conducted to determine the effect of the blend of organic acids (OAs) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) on the growth performance and diarrhea incidence in weanling pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88. Thirty weaned pigs (28±1d of age, 6.24±0.36kg) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with 3 treatments, 5 replicate pens per treatment and 2 animals per pen. The treatments were: (1) control, basal diet (CON); (2) CON+0.2% blend of OAs and MCFAs (BOM1); (3) CON+0.4% blend of OAs and MCFAs (BOM2). From d 8 to 10, pigs were orally challenged with 5mL enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (109CFU/mL). Pigs fed the blend of OAs and MCFAs diets had greater (P<0.05) body weight (BW) than pigs fed CON diet on d 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment. During pre- and post-challenge, the inclusion of the blend of OAs and MCFAs increased (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) with the exception of G:F during d 8–14. Additionally, pigs fed BOM2 diet had higher (P<0.05) final BW and ADG during d 1–21 than those fed BOM1 diet. Before challenge and post-challenge (d 8–14), incidence of diarrhea was lower (P<0.05) in BOM1 and BOM2 treatments than that in CON treatment. However, diarrhea incidence was not affected by dietary treatments between d 15 and 21 (P>0.05). Results indicated that dietary supplementation with the blend of OAs and MCFAs at 0.2% or 0.4% improved growth performance and reduced diarrhea as indicated by reduced diarrhea incidence in weanling piglets that orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88.

Evaluating Chemical Mitigation of Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 in Animal Feed Ingredients

Salmonella Typhimurium is a potential feed safety hazard in animal feed ingredients. Thermal mitigation of Salmonella spp. during rendering is effective but does not eliminate the potential for cross-contamination. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of chemicals to mitigate postrendering Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 contamination in rendered proteins over time. Treatments were arranged in a 6 × 4 factorial with six chemical treatments and four rendered protein meals. The chemical treatments included (i) control without chemical treatment, (ii) 0.3% commercial formaldehyde product, (iii) 2% essential oil blend, (iv) 2% medium chain fatty acid blend, (v) 3% organic acid blend, and (vi) 1% sodium bisulfate. The four rendered protein meals included (i) feather meal, (ii) blood meal, (iii) meat and bone meal, and (iv) poultry by-product meal. After matrices were chemically treated, they were inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, stored at room temperature, and enumerated via plate counts on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 42 postinoculation. The Salmonella concentration in ingredients treated with medium chain fatty acid and commercial formaldehyde were similar to one another (P = 0.23) but were 2 log lower than the control (P < 0.05). Ingredients treated with organic acids and essential oils also had lower Salmonella concentrations than the control (P < 0.05). Time also played a significant role in Salmonella mitigation, because all days except days 14 and 21 (P = 0.92) differed from one another. Rendered protein matrix also affected Salmonella stability, because concentrations in meat and bone meal and blood meal were similar to one another (P = 0.36) but were greater than levels in feather meal and poultry by-product meal (P < 0.05). In summary, chemical treatment and time both mitigated Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, but their effectiveness was matrix dependent. Time and chemical treatment with medium chain fatty acids or a commercial formaldehyde product were most effective at mitigating Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 in rendered protein meals.

Modeling the transboundary risk of feed ingredients contaminated with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.

BackgroundThis study describes a model developed to evaluate the transboundary risk of PEDV-contaminated swine feed ingredients and the effect of two mitigation strategies during a simulated transport event from China to the US.ResultsIngredients imported to the USA from China, including organic & conventional soybeans and meal, lysine hydrochloride, D-L methionine, tryptophan, Vitamins A, D & E, choline, carriers (rice hulls, corn cobs) and feed grade tetracycline, were inoculated with PEDV. Control ingredients, and treatments (ingredients plus a liquid antimicrobial (SalCURB, Kemin Industries (LA) or a 2 % custom medium chain fatty acid blend (MCFA)) were tested. The model ran for 37 days, simulating transport of cargo from Beijing, China to Des Moines, IA, US from December 23, 2012 to January 28, 2013. To mimic conditions on land and sea, historical temperature and percent relative humidity (% RH) data were programmed into an environmental chamber which stored all containers. To evaluate PEDV viability over time, ingredients were organized into 1 of 4 batches of samples, each batch representing a specific segment of transport. Batch 1 (segment 1) simulated transport of contaminated ingredients from manufacturing plants in Beijing (day 1 post-contamination (PC)). Batch 2 (segments 1 and 2) simulated manufacturing and delivery to Shanghai, including time in Anquing terminal awaiting shipment (days 1–8 PC). Batch 3 (segments 1, 2 and 3) represented time in China, the crossing of the Pacific and entry to the US at the San Francisco, CA terminal (day 1–27 PC). Batch 4 (segments 1–4) represented the previous events, including transport to Des Moines, IA (days 1–37 PC). Across control (non-treated) ingredients, viable PEDV was detected in soybean meal (organic and conventional), Vitamin D, lysine hydrochloride and choline chloride. In contrast, viable PEDV was not detected in any samples treated with LA or MCFA.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate the ability of PEDV to survive in a subset of feed ingredients using a model simulating shipment from China to the US. This is proof of concept suggesting that contaminated feed ingredients could serve as transboundary risk factors for PEDV, along with the identification of effective mitigation options.

Evaluating Chemical Mitigation of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in Swine Feed and Ingredients

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) is primarily transmitted by fecal-oral contamination. Research has confirmed swine feed or ingredients as potential vectors of transmission, so strategies are needed to mitigate PEDV in feed. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of various chemical additives to prevent or mitigate post-processing PEDV contamination in swine feed and ingredients. Treatments were arranged in a 7 × 4 factorial with seven chemical treatments and four feed matrices. The chemical treatments included: negative control with no chemical addition, 0.3% commercial formaldehyde product, 1% sodium bisulfate, 1% sodium chlorate, 3% custom organic acid blend (OA), 2% custom essential oil blend (EO), and 2% custom medium chain fatty acid blend (MCFA). The four matrices included a complete swine diet, blood meal, meat and bone meal, and spray-dried animal plasma. Matrices were first chemically treated, then inoculated with PEDV, stored at room temperature, and analyzed by RT-PCR on d 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 42 post inoculation. Formaldehyde, MCFA, EO, and OA addition each decreased RNA concentration of PEDV compared to the control (P < 0.05), with formaldehyde being the most effective on d 0. Feed matrix appears important in PEDV retention, as RNA concentrations were lower in the swine diet and blood meal than meat and bone meal or spray-dried animal plasma on d 0 (P < 0.05). Additionally, PEDV stability over time was influenced by matrix as RNA concentrations were greater by d 42 for spray-dried animal plasma and meat and bone meal than the complete swine diet and blood meal. In summary, time, formaldehyde, MCFA, EO, and OA all enhance the RNA degradation of PEDV in swine feed and ingredients as measured by RT-PCR, but their effectiveness varies within matrix. Notably, the MCFA was equally as successful at mitigating PEDV as a commercially-available formaldehyde product.