Biofilm inhibiting compositions enhancing weight gain in livestock

Abstract

A method of enhancing the growth of an animal, as well as treating or preventing antimicrobial infections is provided. The method includes causing the animal to ingest or absorb an effective amount of one or more Fe III complex compounds, including but not limited to Fe III complexes comprising ligands bound to the iron center such as amino acids or α-hydroxy acids. The compounds are also useful for inhibiting, reducing, or preventing biofilm formation or buildup on a surface; the treatment of, inhibition of growth of, and inhibition of colonization by, bacteria, both in biological and non-biological environments; disinfecting surfaces, potentiating the effects of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents, and increasing the sensitivity of bacteria and other microorganisms, to anti-microbial agents are also provided.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A composition comprising a feed supplement comprising one or more iron compounds comprising an acid selected from the group consisting of a-hydroxy acid, amino acid, amino carboxylic acid and diacid, other than ferric glycinate and ferric methionate,
 for addition to a non-human animal feed or animal drinking water at a concentration between 0.1 g/kg and 5 g/kg of the feed or a concentration between 0.001 to 20 g of the one or more compounds per liter (L) of water.   
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the iron compound is ferric citrate. 
     
     
         26 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the iron compound comprises an α-hydroxy acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, quinic acid, glycolic acid, isoleucic acid, valic acid, and mandelic acid. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the iron compound is selected from the group consisting of ferric tyrosine, ferric lactate, ferric tartrate, EDTA, oxalic acid and malic acid. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the concentration of the iron compound is between 0.5 g/kg and 10 g/kg of the composition. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein (the iron compound is ferric citrate, the ferric citrate being present in a concentration between 0.1 g/kg and 1 g/kg of the composition.