Inactivation of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and profiles of microbial communities during composting of livestock mortalities
Loading...
Date
2013-03
Authors
Tkachuk, Victoria L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Abstract
This study explored the use of a biosecure, static composting structure to inactivate MAP. In Experiment #1, it was concluded that composting is unlikely to achieve temperatures necessary to inactivate MAP associated with cattle mortalities and that M. smegamatis is an unlikely surrogate for MAP. This study also used the same system to explore changes in the microbial community in mortality compost after exposure to thermophilic temperatures. As high-throughput sequencing technologies advance, it is possible to characterize microbial communities in environments with a high degree of resolution. In Experiment #2, as members of Clostridia were present at temperatures > 55°C, it appears that anaerobic conditions existed within regions of the compost. Extreme temperatures and non-homogeneous high moisture conditions resulted in spatial distribution of temperature in a biosecure, static composting system, which failed to meet conditions necessary for complete composting and pathogen reduction.
Description
Keywords
paratuberculosis, compost, mortalities, Johne's, microbial ecology, thermophilic
Citation
Tkachuk, V. L., Krause, D. O., McAllister, T. A., Buckley, K. E., Reuter, T., Hendrick, S. and Ominski, K. H. 2013. Assessing the inactivation of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis during composting of livestock carcasses. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 79:3215-3224.