INTRODUCTION

In a trial performed in Ukraine a sample of fish meal was analyzed to check if it complied with the microbiological specifications for food and feed safety, which are:

• Total bacterial count (TBC): <5×10⁵ CFU/g
• Clostridium perfringens: absence in 0.01 g
• Coliforms: absence in 1 g
• Salmonella spp.: absence in 1 g

First analysis results (before the addition of the natural preservative)

Results showed that the sample was contaminated with salmonella (presence of Salmonella spp. in 25 g of sample).

Addition of the natural preservative

A broad-spectrum microbiocidal and natural preservative, was added to the sample at 5 kg/ton. This dose allows to have a final concentration of 0.5 kg of natural preservative per ton in compound feed (which contains 10% fish meal).

Second analysis results

Results showed that the sample complied with all the microbiological requirements.

CONCLUSIONS

The natural preservative eliminated salmonella from the sample of fish meal, which states that it is an effective biocide for raw materials.

This natural preservative, manufactured by Biovet S.A., is commercially available with the name Alquermold Natural.