Efficacy of a Fatty Acid-Lactic Acid Postmilking Teat Germicide in Reducing Incidence of Bovine Mastitis1

Abstract

The efficacy of a postmilking teat germicide containing Lauricidin®, and caprylic, capric, and lactic acids was evaluated against new udder infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae. The germicide was evaluated in two controlled infection trials using two dilutions of a concentrate. Active ingredients of the concentrate were 1% Lauricidin®, 5% caprylic/capric acids, and 6% lactic acid. The first dilution contained one part germicide to seven parts distilled water. New intramammary infections with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae were reduced 34.6% (P < 0.10) and 63.1% (P < 0.01), respectively. In the second trial, the germicide was diluted one part concentrate to three parts distilled water and tested using the same protocol. Efficacies were 67.8% (P < 0.001) and 77.2% (P < 0.001) against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae, respectively.