Evaluation of a novel antimicrobial polymer for the control of porcine postweaning colibacillosis

Growth enhancement in broiler chickens receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial

This study investigated the use of CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial as a means of enhancing health and growth rates in broiler chickens. One-day-old Cobb-500 broilers were reared to 42 days. In trial 1, 100 birds received CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial via water, and 100 birds were untreated. Treated birds had significantly greater (P<0.0001) average daily gain (ADG), significantly lower (P<0.0016) feed conversion ratios, significantly lower (P<0.05) mortality, and a significantly lower (P<0.0042) viscosity of their ileal contents. In trial 2, three groups of 40 birds received reducing dosages of CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial, and a fourth group remained untreated. Groups receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial had significantly greater (P<0.05) ADG, and two groups had significantly lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratios than the controls. In trial 3, groups of 40 birds received either CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial, Salinomycin or Lasalocid in-feed, or were untreated. Birds receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial had significantly greater (P<0.05) ADG than those receiving Salinomycin. CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial helped to maintain the health and to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens.

The effect of the molecular orientation on the release of antimicrobial substances from uniaxially drawn polymer matrixes

A new method of controlled release of low molecular weight biocides incorporated in polymer matrixes is described. The molecular orientation of uniaxially drawn biocide doped polymer films is suggested as a significant parameter for controlled release monitoring. Triclosan, a well-established widespread antibacterial agent, has been incorporated into high density polyethylene (HDPE) films that have been subsequently uniaxially drawn at different draw ratios. The molecular orientation developed was estimated utilizing polarized mu-Raman spectra. Biocide incorporated polymer films, drawn at different draw ratios, have been immersed in ethanol-water solutions (EtOH) and in physiological saline. The release of Triclosan out of the polymer matrix was probed with UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy for a period of time up to 15 months. In all cases, although the film surface of the drawn samples exposed to the liquid solution was higher than the undrawn one, the relevant release rate from the drawn specimens was lower than the non-stretched samples depending on the molecular orientation developed during the drawing process. A note is made of the fact that no significant molecular orientation relaxation of the polyethylene films has been observed even after such a long time of immersion of the drawn films in the liquid solutions.