Why Terpenes?

· Terpenes (pinene, nerol, citral, menthol, d-limonene and others) are widespread in nature, mainly in plants as constituents of essential oils.

· Terpenes, which are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) have been found to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells, decrease tumor size, decrease cholesterol levels and decrease microorganism concentration in vitro.

· Terpenes i.e. geraniol, tocotrienol, perillyl alcohol, b-ionone and d-limonene suppress hepatic HMG-COA reductase activity, a rate limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, and modestly lower cholesterol levels in animals . D-limonene and geraniol reduced mammary tumors or suppressed the growth of transplanted tumors.

· Terpenes (citral, geraniol, eugenol, menthol, cinnamic aldehyde) have also been found to inhibit the in-vitro growth of bacteria and fungi and some internal and external parasites. Geraniol was found to inhibit growth of candida albicans and saccharomyces cerevisiae strains by enhancing the rate of potassium leakage disrupting membrane fluidity. B-ionone has antifungal activity which was determined by inhibition of spore germination, and growth inhibition in agar (Mikhlin et al, 1983 and Salt et al, 1986). Teprenone has an antibacterial effect on H. pylori. Solutions of 11 different terpenes were effective in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in in-vitro tests; levels ranging between 100 ppm and 1000 ppm were effective. There may be different modes of action of terpenes against bacteria. They could:

(1) Interfere with the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane

(2) Impair a variety of enzyme systems (HMG-reductase) and

(3) Destroy or inactivate genetic material.

Uses of Terpenes

1. The addition of a terpene, terpene mixture or liposome-terpene combination to the diet or to the drinking water will improve animal health, body weight and efficiency of feed conversion because of the reduced microbial load (Performance Improvement).

2. The addition of terpenes, a terpene mixture or a liposome:terpene combination to the diet or to the drinking water will reduce the microbial load, not only in feed and water, but also in the intestine. Pathogenic bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and listeria will be decreased, thereby reducing the chance of contamination and the risk of pathogenic microorganisms in the final edible product (Feed Withdrawal).

3. The addition of terpenes, a terpene mixture or a liposome:terpene combination will reduce the bacterial contamination in the scalder and chiller water, therefore decreasing bacterial contamination of carcasses (Processing Plant).

The reduction of food-borne pathogen levels should greatly increase the safety and the market value of poultry, poultry products, pork, pork products, beef products and other meat product for human consumption.