Canadian biotechnology company Prairie Plant Systems Inc. is researching new technologies
with the potential to replace antibiotics in animal feed, focusing on the health
properties of plants such as mustard seeds, according to reports.
The first step in the company's goal, said CEO Brent Zettl, is to develop
feed supplements that will stimulate an animal's immune system to resist
infection. "The long-term goal of our research can have benefits for farmers and
consumers alike," said Zettl.
Prairie Plant Systems is working in response to the
movement that exists to stop using antibiotics in feed. “As soon as they use those
antibiotics for chickens and pigs, when it comes time for human beings to rely
on them to deal with infection the bugs that they were defending (against) have
become resistant," said Zettl. "As a consequence it makes the antibiotics less
effective for human beings. We are using those antibiotics after we have
discovered them too soon in the food system." With better science, the company
believes it can design antimicrobial, naturally occurring proteins. “If we tap
into that, and have a seed promoting that, then it can essentially produce a
healthy gut (in the animal),” said Zettl. “It would mitigate or displace the
antibiotics used in feed.”
The federal government is investing about $101,000
into the project, which Zettl said will likely take about three years of
research to determine viability. The project is funded under the $50 million Agricultural Innovation program.
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