PROFIL

PhD project: Multicomponent antibacterial plant cocktail for better health in piglets and broilers

University: Aarhus University

Department: Department of Food Science

Supervisor: Martin Jensen - Senior Researcher

Co-supervisors: (Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University) Nuria Canibe - Senior Researcher, Ole Højberg- Senior Researcher, Ricarda Engberg - Veterinary inspector and Associate Professor.

Project term: 010621 – 300524

Master’s degree: MSc in Animal Science, South Dakota State University - MSc in Data Science, South Dakota State University

BACKGROUND

The weaning process in piglets is associated with abrupt environmental and nutritional changes. This can cause unbalance in GIT microbiota resulting in enteric disease (mainly due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli [ETEC] F4/F18(+) infections). Broilers similarly show problems with intestinal bacterial infections for example with Clostridium perfringens. Prophylactic antibiotic administration,  pharmacological levels of Zn/Cu, and coccidiostats in poultry are often applied to avoid this. Bacterial resistance build up against these compounds call for new and more natural sustainable solutions to maintain GIT health and prevent disease.

AIM

The objective is to investigate and innovate a new multicomponent antibacterial plant cocktail to prevent bacterial diseases in GIT in weaning piglets and poultry. The overall aim is to reduce the use of antibiotics and zinc oxide for piglets, and of ionophore coccidiostats with antimicrobial properties for broilers.

RESEARCH OUTLINE

The project will investigate in vivo the effect of plant based antibacterial feed additives on animal GIT health using selected promising plant species either in single formulation or as a multicomponent antibacterial plant cocktail to avoid resistance build up.

Antibacterial compounds in plant species and developed feed additives will be characterized biochemically and tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against animal pathogens (focus on E. coli and Clostridium perfringens).

Detailed effect of feed additives on animal performance in vivo, including general health, GIT health aspects and gut microbiota profile will be investigated.

PARTNERS OF COLLABORATION

This PhD project is a part of the MonoGutHealth programme (https://monoguthealth.eu/partners/) under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN).

 This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 955374 (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/955374).