Formic Acid as an Antimicrobial for Poultry Production: A Review

Abstract

Organic acids continue to receive considerable attention as feed additives for animal production. Most of the emphasis to date has focused on food safety aspects, particularly on lowering the incidence of foodborne pathogens in poultry and other livestock. Several organic acids are currently either being examined or are already being implemented in commercial settings. Among the several organic acids that have been studied extensively, is formic acid. Formic acid has been added to poultry diets as a means to limit Salmonella spp. and other foodborne pathogens both in the feed and potentially in the gastrointestinal tract once consumed. As more becomes known about the efficacy and impact formic acid has on both the host and foodborne pathogens, it is clear that the presence of formic acid can trigger certain pathways in Salmonella spp. This response may become more complex when formic acid enters the gastrointestinal tract and interacts not only with Salmonella spp. that has colonized the gastrointestinal tract but the indigenous microbial community as well. This review will cover current findings and prospects for further research on the poultry microbiome and feeds treated with formic acid.

Keywords: antimicrobial; feed; food animals; foodborne pathogen; formic acid; gastrointestinal tract.

Figure 1

Mind map of the topics covered in the current review. Specifically, focusing on the overall goal of describing the historical and current applications of formic acid as a feed amendment for livestock use, the antimicrobial mechanism(s) attributable to formic acid and how its administration impacts animal and poultry health, and potential approaches for improving efficacy.