Antimicrobial Animal Bedding

Summary

We have found that a derivative from wood or bark can enhance the antimicrobial activity of some compounds up to 2000 times. This can be used for many cost effective, natural, long-lasting, anti-microbial products. For example in hospitals to tackle to spread of MRSA, for the treatment of work surfaces, on fresh food to prevent spoilage and for poultry bedding materials to prevent ammonia emissions.

Benefits

In animal bedding for poultry our antimicrobial composite:

• Decreases the microbial activity in the bedding
• Decreases the ammonium and maintains a low pH
• Ammonia emissions kept low
• Toxicity lower
• Fewer burns to the livestock
• Reduced growth of food pathogens such as salmonella
• Works at elevated moisture levels
• Healthier livestock
• Better quality produce
• Reduced ventilation costs
• Comply with ICCP regulations to minimise ammonia emissions and odour from poultry houses
• Waste disposal costs reduced
• Environmental damage reduced  

Applications

• Animal bedding for domestic pets
• Receptacles for organic kitchen waste
• Surface antiseptic and disinfectants
• Food particularly fruit and vegetables to prevent spoilage
• Hospitals to prevent the contamination of MRSA
• Marine antifouling
• Antifungal tree root treatment 

Availability

Available for developmental partnership

IP status

Patent Pending

Technical

This technology is a method which makes wood shavings and other cellulosic materials anti-microbial but has the potential for many uses.

The wood or bark is heated for a period of time and then processed to the necessary size for its use.

The conversion of ammonia and water into ammonium ions:

NH₃ + H₂O → NH₄ ⁺ + OH ^-  (alkaline)