$1 million to study DDGS and E.coli link
Kansas State University will study the connection between feeding distillers’ grains and E. coli 0157:H7 in cattle. Also several strategies to reduce the presence of the naturally occurring pathogen in the animals are being inevstigated.
The group has received a $939,220 National Research Initiative in Food Safety
grant. Nagaraja, a university distinguished professor of microbiology, said the
issue of meat safety is receiving full attention from both researchers and the
meat industry and is being addressed.
“This research project will greatly
enhance our understanding of the exact relationship between dietary distillers’
grains and E. coli 0157:H7 in cattle, as well as provide us with an opportunity
to look at novel ways to mitigate the potential risks of feeding this valuable
co-product,” Nagaraja said. The research team will look at ways to reduce the
amount of E. coli O157:H7 present, such as administering a probiotic, an
experimental vaccine and feeding brown seaweed, a plant shown to have an effect
in reducing E. coli O157:H7 prevalence in cattle.
In addition, they also
will study whether feeding varied amounts of the distillers’ grain or making it
dry or wet has an effect on the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 detected in the
feces.
Related website:
K-state University
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