Control of microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract of animals

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The method comprises the step of orally administering an effective amount of a peracid to an animal. Percarboxylic acids useful in this invention include peracetic acid, perpropionic acid, perbutyric acid, peroctanoic acid, perglycolic acid, perglutaric acid, persuccinic acid, perlactic acid, percitric acid, perdecanoic acid or mixtures thereof. These percarboxylic acids have been found to provide good antimicrobial action with good stability in aqueous streams. In addition to peracetic, peroctanoic and perdecanoic, particularly preferred percarboxylic acids include perpropionic, perbutyric, perglycolic, perlactic and percitric acids.