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Article | 31.08.2025
Wouter Depondt
In the pig industry, more and more drinking water systems are used for administering treatments and mineral/vitamin supplements. Often, these products contain sugars or other nutrients that may contribute to the growth of biofilms in the drinking water systems. Similar effects can be seen with other additives including some organic acids.
Biofilms are complex microbial communities that form on surfaces in moist environments, including the inner walls of water pipelines. These biofilms consist of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. All kinds of bacteria can be present in such structures, from aerobic to anaerobic, from commensals to pathogenic bacteria. Biofilms can be seen as deposits that can vary in nature and size, or as an indistinct slimy substance. The potentially harmful effects of the bacteria and their metabolites on the health of the animals can pose significant challenges for the effective administration of medications and supplements.
Figure 1. Biofilm in waterline, cross-section of a tube
Administering veterinary medications, such as antibiotics, vitamins and probiotics through drinking water is common practice in pig farming due to its ease and efficiency. However, biofilms can interfere with this process in several ways:
- Reduced medication efficacy: Biofilms can degrade active pharmaceutical ingredients, leading to inconsistent dosing and reduced therapeutic effects. Some bacteria within biofilms produce enzymes (e.g. β-lactamases) that can break down certain antibiotics like penicillins. Antibiotics may also get trapped within the biofilm matrix, reducing their activity and causing slow degradation over time.
- Contaminant release: Biofilms can act as reservoirs for pathogenic bacteria, potentially releasing harmful microbes into the drinking water and increasing the risk of infections.
- Blocked water supply: Biofilms can be released during or after a treatment, leading to blocked drinking water nipples.
Bacteria in a biofilm can be 1000 times more resistant than individual bacteria, which is why removing and preventing biofilms is quite a challenge. Often, chlorides and peroxides are used to disinfect water, but these products are insufficient to control biofilm formation.
In case of severe biofilm formation, a double waterline treatment is recommended for cleaning and biofilm removal:
- Alkaline detergent such as DT Smart® to clean and remove organic biofilm
- Iodine-based disinfectant such as Iodol® 100 to remove mineral biofilms in acidic media and kill pathogens
To prevent biofilm formation while animals are consuming the water hypochlorous acid (HCLO; Effitab®) is recommended. It is stable and safe to use unlike other chlorine forms such as bleach.
Huvepharma®, through its expertise in biosecurity and animal health, provides a range of detergents and disinfectants to eliminate and prevent biofilms.
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