December 6, 2007

DDGS increases prevalence of E.coli 0157

US research found that cattle fed with Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles (DDGS) have an increased prevalence of E. coli 0157 in their hindgut.

E. coli O157  poses no risk to healthy cattle but can be risky to humans, who can acquire it through undercooked meat, raw dairy products and produce contaminated with cattle manure.

T.G. Nagaraja of Kansas State's College of Veterinary Medicine said the growth of ethanol plants could indicate more DDGS to be fed to cattle. These animals could harbor 0157 and be potential sources of health risks to humans.

A study on the carcass quality of cattle fed with DDGS showed that the occurrence of E.coli 0157 was about twice as high compared with those cattle not fed with the ethanol byproduct.

Researchers stated that it could be something that changes in the animals' hindgut as a result of feeding DDGS, or maybe the byproduct provides a nutrient for the bacteria.

Nagara, pointed the importance of understanding E.coli 0157 better and finding ways to prevent it through continuous research.