Efficacy of a stabilized liquid potassium sorbate preservative to reduce bacterial proliferation in colostrum or tank milk stored by refrigeration or at room temperature

Abstract

Though critical to calf health and growth, colostrum exposure of dairy calves to infectious agents, potentially resulting in calfhood illness and/or reduced absorption of colostral antibodies. While FDA-approved preservatives such as potassium sorbate may represent 1 approach to reduce bacterial proliferation in stored colostrum or milk, efficacy studies are relatively limited. Objectives of this study were to describe the effect of a stabilized liquid potassium sorbate preservative product (Dam Fresh™, Solution BioSciences, Inc (SBS), Inc. Morristown, NJ) on 1) bacterial proliferation in bovine colostrum and milk when stored by refrigeration and at room temperature, and 2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in colostrum. We hypothesized that the preservative would reduce bacterial proliferation in stored milk and colostrum while having no negative effect on colostrum IgG levels.