What if combining plants were the key to enhance livestock health and reduce antibiotic use? This question motivated Kevin Jerez's research, where he investigated the enhanced antibacterial properties of plant combinations to control gastrointestinal infections in piglets and chickens. Kevin Jerez research with organic piglets utilized combinations of garlic and fruit powders to mitigate pathogenic E. coli infections, effectively preventing postweaning diarrhea and promoting a healthier gut microbiome. Additionally, his study on chickens examined the enhanced efficacy of combining a natural source of antibacterial fatty acids and essential oils to combat pathogenic C. perfringens, notably reducing the disease's impact. The project was part of MonoGutHealth, a training network funded by the European Commission (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions).  

This doctoral research delivers crucial insights into the use of antibacterial plants in livestock systems, aiming to improve animal health and welfare, protect public health, and contribute to sustainable food production.

The PhD study was completed at the Department of Food Science and the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Week 39, September 26^th, 2024 at 09:00
Place: Department of Food Science, Room 5910 – 116, Aarhus University, Department of Food Science, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N.
Title of PhD thesis: Antibacterial Plant Combinations for Better Gastrointestinal Health in Piglets and Broilers
Contact information: Kevin Jerez Bogotá, e-mail: jerezbogota@food.au.dk, tel.: +45 91198555
Members of the assessment committee:
Associate Professor Nadia Everaert, Department of Biosystems – Nutrition & Animal Microbiota EcoSystems Lab (NAMES), KU Leuven, Belgium
Professor Andrew Van Kessel, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Canada 
Professor Carl-Otto Ottosen (chair), Department of Food Science – Plant, Food & Climate, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Senior Scientist Martin Jensen, Department of Food Science – Differentiated & Biofunctional Foods Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisors:
Senior Researcher Nuria Canibe, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Gut & Host Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
Senior Researcher Ole Højberg, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Gut & Host Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
Head of education- Associate Professor Ricarda Margarete Engberg, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences – Gut & Host Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language
The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.