Evaluation of Postmilking Teat Germicides Containing Lauricidin®, Saturated Fatty Acids, and Lactic Acid

¹ Hill Farm Research Station, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Route 1, Box 10, Homer 71040

The efficacies of postmilking teat germicides containing Lauricidin® (glyceryl monolaurate), saturated fatty acids, lactic acid, and lauric acid were determined against new IMI caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in three controlled infection trials. In trial 1, a germicide was evaluated containing 1% Lauricidin®, 5% caprylic and capric acids, 6% lactic acid, and .85% lauric acid. New IMI with Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae were reduced 81.3 and 49.6%, respectively. Trial 2 germicide involved an artificially aged sample of the formulation evaluated in trial 1. The germicide was aged at 40°C for 5 mo, which was approximately equal to 2 yr at room temperature (24°C). Reductions in new IMI were 81.2 and 27.5% for Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae, respectively. In trial 3, a teat germicide aged at ambient temperature for 33 mo, which was originally formulated to contain 1% Lauricidin®, 5% caprylic and capric acids, and 6% lactic acid, was evaluated. Reductions in new IMI were 75.5 and 40.4% for Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae, respectively. The formulation evaluated in trial 1 was superior to other formulations in reducing new IMI by the two test organisms.

Key Words: teat germicide • fatty acid • Lauricidin® • lactic acid

Submitted on December 12, 1991
Accepted on February 10, 1992