BREAKTHROUGH POSTBIOTIC TREATMENT TO REDUCE PATHOGENLOAD IN BROILERS WHILE IMPROVING FEED EFFICIENCY

This Phase I proposal is directed at developing and demonstrating the feasibility of using a mixtureof metabolites and peptides derived from proprietary strains from anaerobic commensal bacterium(FPZ) to improve feed efficiency and reduce pathogens common in broiler chickens.This proposalis based on promising preliminary in vitro and in vivo research performed by Bactana during thepast two years. The goals of this proposal align with USDA SBIR goals to improve animalproductivity by enhancing feed efficiency and improve the safety of end products derived fromanimals.If the success criteria for Objectives 1 and 2 (see below) of this proposal are met FPZwill have potential to be used to both improve feed efficiency and reduce Salmonella pathogenload.This unique "Dual-Function" product strategy would place FPZ at the top of its class as afeed additive.The project objectives to be carried out by Bactana are:Objective 1.Use an in vivo poultry trial to demonstrate that orally administered FPZ can be usedas an effective feed additive in poultry by providing benefit in either or both of the following:A) Reducing levels of the important bacterial pathogens Salmonella enteritidis to preventdownstream human infections.B)Reducing broiler chicken production costs by improving FCR.Objective 2.Use cell-based and other in vitro assays to assess the mechanism by which FPZ isleading to improvements in growth and FCR.