Evaluation of postmilking teat germicides containing Lauricidin, saturated fatty acids, and lactic acid.

The efficacies of postmilking teat germicides containing Lauricidin (glyceryl monolaurate), saturated fatty acids, lactic acid, and lauric acid were determined against new IMI caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae in three controlled infection trials. In trial 1, a germicide was evaluated containing 1% Lauricidin, 5% caprylic and capric acids, 6% lactic acid, and .85% lauric acid. New IMI with Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae were reduced 81.3 and 49.6%, respectively. Trial 2 germicide involved an artificially aged sample of the formulation evaluated in trial 1. The germicide was aged at 40 degrees C for 5 mo, which was approximately equal to 2 yr at room temperature (24 degrees C). Reductions in new IMI were 81.2 and 27.5% for Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae, respectively. In trial 3, a teat germicide aged at ambient temperature for 33 mo, which was originally formulated to contain 1% Lauricidin, 5% caprylic and capric acids, and 6% lactic acid, was evaluated. Reductions in new IMI were 75.5 and 40.4% for Staph. aureus and Strep. agalactiae, respectively. The formulation evaluated in trial 1 was superior to other formulations in reducing new IMI by the two test organisms.