January 10, 2006

US studies show microbials reduce pathogen risk in beef

Microbial supplements can reduce E. coli load in beef cattle faeces up to 35 percent, according to studies conducted by several US beef cattle researchers from the University of Nebraska.

In a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a direct-fed microbial (DFM)--lactic acid-producing Lactobacillus acidophilus--on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, the researchers reported that DFM-fed steers were 35 percent less likely to shed E. coli O157:H7 in faeces, than the untreated steers over the course of two feeding periods.

Steer finishing performance was seen not affected by adding a DFM into the ration, the research also showed.

E. coli O157:H7, a serious food-borne bacterial pathogen, contaminates beef carcasses during slaughter when E. coli-laden faecal material comes in contact with the beef carcass. One method of reducing the risk of E. coli contamination of beef lies in reducing or eliminating the presence of the pathogen in the digestive tract--and faeces--of cattle.