Probiotic Feeding Regimen for Pathogen Reduction and Feed Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to simultaneously achieve high feed performance and significant reduction of pathogenic bacteria in animals, as different dosages of lactic acid producing bacteria and lactate utilizing bacteria are required for these two goals, making it difficult to find a single program that meets both objectives effectively.
Innovation Solution
A unique feeding regimen involving a combination of low and high doses of lactic acid producing bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus/animalis NP51) and lactate utilizing bacteria (Propionibacterium freudenreichii NP24), where animals are initially fed a low dose for 30 days and then switched to a high dose 20-60 days prior to harvest, maintaining a consistent lactate utilizing bacteria dosage, to enhance feed performance and reduce pathogenic infections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high dose lactic acid producing bacteria are used throughout the feeding period, then pathogen reduction is improved, but feed performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding period is divided into two distinct phases: a first phase with low dose lactic acid producing bacteria to maintain feed performance, and a second phase (20-60 days prior to harvest) with high dose to maximize pathogen reduction. This temporal segmentation allows each dosage to serve its optimal function without compromising the other goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosage of lactic acid producing bacteria is dynamically adjusted based on the feeding stage and proximity to harvest. The system transitions from low dose to high dose as the animal approaches harvest, optimizing both feed performance during growth and pathogen reduction at the critical pre-harvest stage.
2Productivity
If low dose lactic acid producing bacteria are used, then feed performance is improved, but pathogen reduction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The low dose lactic acid producing bacteria are administered during the first feeding phase to establish a baseline beneficial effect on feed performance and begin preliminary pathogen control. This preliminary action prepares the animal's digestive system for the subsequent high dose phase, maximizing overall effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding regimen employs periodic action by alternating between low dose and high dose lactic acid producing bacteria at specific intervals. The low dose phase occupies the majority of the feeding period for performance optimization, while the high dose phase is periodically applied during the critical 20-60 days prior to harvest for pathogen reduction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If different dosages are used for different goals, then both pathogen reduction and feed performance can be optimized, but program complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex requirement of achieving both pathogen reduction and feed performance optimization is segmented into two manageable phases with distinct dosage regimens. This segmentation transforms a potentially complex continuous optimization problem into two simpler, well-defined feeding protocols that are easier to implement and monitor.
Solution Approach 2:
The program manages complexity by changing a single key parameter - the dosage of lactic acid producing bacteria - based on feeding phase and time to harvest. Rather than adjusting multiple parameters simultaneously, the invention focuses on one critical parameter change (low to high dose) at a specific transition point, simplifying the overall program structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively increases average daily gain and feed efficiency while reducing pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 by approximately 40% in feces and 47% on hides, achieving both improved feed performance and pathogen reduction without significantly increasing feeding costs.
Implementation Method 1
lactic acid producing bacterium and a lactate utilizing bacterium
Implementation Method 2
lactate utilizing bacterium
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and compositions are hereby disclosed for reducing the numbers of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella or other pathogens in an animal. The methods include administering to the animal a lactic acid producing bacterium at a relatively low dosage in combination with a lactate utilizing bacterium, followed by administration of the lactic acid producing bacterium at a relatively high dosage. The disclosed methods help achieve pre-harvest food safety and enhance feed performance while keeping the total cost relatively low. The preferred lactic acid producing bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus/animalis and the preferred lactate utilizing bacterium is Propionibacterium freudenreichii.