Generating solutions

The use of antibiotics in food animal production improves growth performance and prevents disease proliferation. Studies have linked antibiotic usage in food animals to antibiotic resistance of bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be transmitted to humans through the food chain, posing a threat to human health. Lysozymes are part of the innate immune system of animals and can have equivalent performance to antibiotics. This project will use genomics-derived technology to economically produce lysozyme formulations that will be used to improve gut health and productivity in food animals. The use of lysozymes in animal feed will improve feed conversion and is expected to save Canadian livestock producers over $300 million in feed costs. It will also reduce antibiotic usage in food animals that could lower the emergence of antibiotic-resistance bacteria and therefore lower the risk of transmission to humans.