CampyChick

Chicken meat is a good source of high-quality lean protein; however, consumption of chicken meat is the main source of bacterial Campylobacter infection of food. The main objective of this project is to investigate a novel microbial-based approach to naturally reduce Campylobacter contamination of chicken flocks and, ultimately, chicken meat, using the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri.

Chicken meat is a good source of high-quality lean protein; however, consumption of chicken meat is the main source for Campylobacter food-infection. Campylobacteriosis is the most frequently reported food-borne illness in the European Union and has furthermore been linked to large economic losses for chicken farmers.

The CampyChick project aims to investigate a novel microbial-based approach to naturally reduce Campylobacter contamination of chicken flocks and ultimately in chicken meat. Lactobacillus reuteri is a commensal in chicken gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and forms natural biofilms in the crop. L. reuteri of chicken have the ability to produce reuterin, a potent antibacterial system produced from glycerol. We hypothesize for this project that in-ovo or ex-ovo administration of high reuterin-producing L. reuteri isolated from chicken enable colonization and stable biofilm formation in chicken GI tract, and, combined with glycerol feeding, prevents Campylobacter colonization, while enhancing hatchability and growth performance of chicken.

To verify our hypothesis we will: 1. Isolate, screen and characterize strains of L. reuteri from chicken crop and ceca; 2. Accurately test antimicrobial activity of reuterin on a large panel of Campylobacter spp., isolated from chicken and human infections; 3. Select chicken derived L. reuteri strains exhibiting high reuterin production and develop reuterin-inactivated mutants; 4. Perform in vivo trials with in-ovo and ex-ovo administration of L. reuteri combined with glycerol feeding to investigate the barrier effects of L. reuteri and reuterin against natural Campylobacter colonization of chicken. Attention will also be given to hatching and growth efficacy of the chicks.

This project will lead to a novel, natural, efficient and sustainable way to reduce Campylobacter contamination in chicken flocks and enhance meat safety. Furthermore, this research will establish the ground for application of L. reuteri produced reuterin to prevent/reduce colonization of enteropathogens in poultry.