Evaluation of a Surfactant Mixture C31G as a Teat Dip by a Modified Excised Teat Model

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A mixture of amphoteric surfactants with antimicrobial properties, C31G, was evaluated as a teat dip [for use in bovine mastitis control] by a modified excised teat model. The model was modified to avoid misinterpretation of results from indigenous bacterial microflora on teats. In 3 experiments, bacterial numbers recovered from teats dipped in 0.75, 1.5 and 3.0% solutions of C31G were compared with bacteria recovered from undipped teats (negative controls) and teats dipped with 1.0% iodophor (an effective teat dip). Mean log reductions of teat end concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli were determined in each experiment. Efficacy was greatest for the 3.0% solution of C31G with mean log reductions (log reduction = log 10 of controls-log 10 of dipped teats) of 3.53 for S. aureus, 2.89 for S. faecalis and 3.16 for E. coli Iodophor (1%) yielded mean log reductions of 3.26 for S. aureus, 2.16 for S. faecalis and 2.83 for E. coli. For all 3 organisms, the number of viable organisms decreased with increasing concentrations of C31G. The efficacy of C31G should be evaluated in vivo.