March 22, 2007

Dutch scientists discover chicken protein to kill pathogens

Dutch scientists have discovered a protein in the digestive tract of chickens which may serve as an antimicrobial agent against food-borne pathogens.

Although in the past, EU farmers have applied antibiotics to chicken feed to kill pathogens, the practice have been discontinued due to new laws banning the use of antibiotics.

This study is reported in the journal "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy".

Research led by Albert van Dijk of Utrecht University tested chickens for B-defensin gallinacin-6 (Gal-6) protein and explored its antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

High levels of Gal-6 in the chickens' esophagus and crop and moderate expression in their glandular stomach was seen.

Tests showed strong bactericidal activity of the protein against various bacteria, including Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli - major food-borne pathogens.

This is the first report of a chicken protein highly expressed in the digestive tract and displaying strong bactericidal activity against food-borne pathogens, said the researchers.