Bacteriocins as an innovative antimicrobial solution for the reduction of antibiotic use in the avian sector

The poultry industry is one of the most promising economic sectors worldwide, including in low- and moderate-income countries like Tunisia. However, poultry farms are subject to a variety of diseases that can lead to considerable economic losses and major consequences for animal and human health. Further, the overuse of antibiotics has led to a worrying increase in the number of multi-resistant bacteria. In addition, the impact of poultry farms on the environment, food safety and animal protection and welfare issues are now part of consumer demands which need to be considered.

The first phase of the AviBiocin I project was to assess the potential of bacteriocins (proteins produced by bacteria of one strain and active against those of a closely related strain) as an alternative to antibiotics in the Tunisian poultry industry. This project isolated, characterized and demonstrated the efficacy of certain bacteriocins and assessed their safety, bioavailability and impact. The project also developed eco-responsible technological processes for the pilot production of active bacteriocins. Finally, the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of bacteriocins was demonstrated in experimental poultry houses, through trials in broiler chickens. These trials confirmed the efficacy of bacteriocins under rearing conditions.

In the second phase of this project, these original, unique and highly promising results will be confirmed on an industrial scale under real poultry farming conditions in Tunisia. It will be funded through InnoVet-AMR 2.0, a four-year partnership between IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care. The initiative is aimed at reducing the emerging risk that anti-microbial resistance in animals poses to global health and food security.