During the winter season and periods of cold weather the teat surface of dairy animals is subject to added exposure especially when liquid teat dips are employed after milking. The use of liquid teat dips in cold and windy conditions will cause chapping and freezing of the teat. For this reason a powdered product was developed which contained food grade ingredients and had both bacteriocidal and healing qualities.
The concept of a powdered formulation originated with two scientists following research on the bacteriocidal and healing
properties of a herb, Comfrey. The active ingredients in Comfrey were identified and then duplicated in the powdered formulation from laboratory stocks. Various formulations were tested against three type bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the best formulation and carrier was determined. This product was also tested for healing properties. The original research required three years before a suitable product was determined. The formulation was tested in the field on dairy animals with excellent results. The active ingredients in the corn starch carrier will kill bacteria and accelerate cell proliferation of cuts and damaged teat surfaces. Two patents were awarded to the original formulation, U.S. patent 4,668,692 and Canada 1,303,506 for a powdered Germicide and Healing Composition containing Allantoin and Ascorbic Acid.
