Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking-water by trans-cinnamaldehyde

Cattle serve as a major reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 and excrete the pathogen in feces. Environmental persistence of E. coli O157:H7 plays a vital role in its epidemiology on farms, and cattle water troughs are a demonstrated long-term reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 for animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of low concentrations of trans-cinnamaldehyde for killing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking-water. A five-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 was inoculated (at approximately 8.0 log colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) into 100 mL samples of well water containing 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, or 0.1% trans-cinnamaldehyde. Additionally, water samples containing (1% w/v) bovine feces or feed were also included. The samples were incubated at 21 degrees , 8 degrees , or 4 degrees C for 7 days and tested for viable E. coli O157:H7 on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7. Triplicate samples of each treatment and control were included and the study was replicated twice. All concentrations of trans-cinnamaldehyde were effective in killing E. coli O157:H7 in water, but the magnitude of killing significantly increased with increase in trans-cinnamaldehyde concentration and storage temperature (p < 0.05). The presence of feed or feces in water decreased the antibacterial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde on E. coli O157:H7 (p < 0.05). This study indicated that trans-cinnamaldehyde is effective in killing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking-water, but detailed palatability studies on cattle intake of water containing the antimicrobial are needed.