ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2024 47 This can prevent mucus from being cleared effectively from the airways and means bacteria are more likely to become trapped in the lungs, which increases the birds’ susceptibility to infection. Corrosive ammonium in the litter can also result in hock burn and skin burns, a sign of poor welfare on farms, which is present on up to a third of birds available in UK supermarkets (BBC). The consumer is now increasingly aware of the environmental impact and welfare of farmed animals and therefore innovative solutions to control ammonia production are needed. CURRENT MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE AMMONIA EMISSIONS Unused nitrogen excreted from the bird is converted into ammonia under favorable conditions by a process involving microbes. Currently, management strategies to reduce ammonia emissions in livestock housing include limiting dietary protein (and hence, waste nitrogen), optimizing stocking density, providing sufficient ventilation and scrubbing, and careful litter and manure management. These practices are heavily focused on removing or limiting unused nitrogen, providing environmental conditions that are less conducive to ammonia formation, or quick removal of the ammonia once it has formed. They do not deal directly with the root cause of the problem: the microbes that produce ammonia in the first place. Microbial enzymes called ureases are responsible for the last step in the formation of ammonia and are produced by bacteria residing in the manure and litter. These enzymes represent a promising target for ammonia management strategies. Chemical urease inhibitors that inactivate urease enzymes exist and are used for fertilizer stabilization but have not been widely adopted in poultry production. Although these chemicals have a low acute toxicity, they pose several health hazards to workers and there is a growing desire to transition from harsh chemistries to sustainable, biological solutions. FOLIUM Science has therefore developed a biological solution that precisely inhibits the formation of urease enzymes that is compatible with current management approaches and could be employed in a holistic management strategy to reduce ammonia. A groundbreaking lateral flow test that uses advanced molecular biology. Specific, accurate, semi-quantifiable DNA and RNA monitoring system for detection of micro-organisms. Huge potential for application in quality management systems in food and feed production. Rapid diagnostic tests for Salmonella, E.coli, Enterococcus, Campylobacter and Clostridia. Potential for bespoke solutions for other targets. For more information visit www.foliumscience.com/swiftr Or email contact@foliumscience.com RESULTS IN ONE HOUR
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==