Stalosan F: Interesting Facts

It is often difficult to know exactly what type and strain of pathogen will affect your farm next, how severe the infection will be and whether the pathogen will be resistant to the chemical treatment. Thus, pathogens have a negative economic impact during all stages of animal production. This keeps producers on their toes in terms of managing and implementing biosecurity programs, a key component of which is disinfectants.

1. Pathogenic microbes are becoming increasingly more resistant to chemical disinfectants, either via the spores or coatings providing more resistant to the active compound in the disinfectant, or due mutations in the genetic elements of the microbes (Russell, 1999).

2. Bacteria within the same genus and species vary in susceptibility to commonly used disinfectants, therefore what works for one will not necessarily work for the other (Moustafa Gehan et al., 2009).

3. Disinfectants with similar but not identical chemical formula will have different degrees of efficacy against bacteria, fungi and viruses (Moustafa Gehan et al., 2009).

4. Different disinfectants have different efficacies when in contact with organic matter, such as bedding, soil, feces and urine (Payne et al., 2005; McLaren et al., 2011).

5. Lime, a common drying agent for wet areas in animal housing, can be caustic and corrosive resulting in respiratory problems for the animals and damage to equipment (Ritz, 2003).

6. Copper has been shown to damage the microbial DNA, and alter bacterial protein synthesis and cell membrane integrity of the microbe, thereby having antimicrobial activity (Reyes-Jara et al., 2016).

7. Copper on surfaces has been shown to assist in controlling the transmission of the Influenza A virus (Noyce et al., 2007).

8. Copper ions reduce the neuraminidase (NA) activity and result in morphological abnormalities in the H9N2 virus, suppressing the ability of the H9N2 virus to establish an infection (Horie et al., 2008).

9. Iron has been shown to suppress DNA release, biofilm development and the development of subpopulations with increased resistance to antimicrobial compounds (Yang et al., 2007).

10. Absorbent clay/silicates hold five to ten times more water than lime due to their smaller, more numerous pores (Ritz, 2003).

11. Phosphates aid the activity of copper and iron by maintaining a low environmental pH, resulting in bacterial cell leakage and preventing the growth of bacteria (Barczynska, 2013).

12. Microbial resistance to copper as a disinfectant is unlikely, as copper degrades the genetic material, preventing mutations and genetic transfer (Grass et al., 2011).

Stalosan F works in 3 ways:

1. Kills (not only inhibits) harmful pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi

2. Binds ammonia very effectively due to low pH value of 3.5

3. Dries up moisture in bedding and environment

Stalosan F is a dry, broad-spectrum disinfectant powder which is safe for animals, humans and the environment. Stalosan F is registered with both the EPA and NRCS.

Stalosan F can be applied in the presence of animals, keeps on working when in contact with organic matter and can be used in footbaths replacing liquid disinfectants.