The effects of nonautoclaved and autoclaved water-soluble wheat extracts on the growth of Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent of necrotic enteritis, a commonly diagnosed disease in chickens that is also observed in turkeys and geese. Two trials were conducted to determine the in vitro effect of filter-sterilized, water-soluble wheat extracts on the growth of C. perfringens. The extracts were either nonautoclaved or autoclaved at 121 C for 40 min and were used to reconstitute thioglycolate broth media. Results of this study suggest that growth of C. perfringens is suppressed in vitro by inclusion of either extract. Glycosyl composition analysis revealed no significant differences in arabinose, xylose, or mannose content between the nonautoclaved and autoclaved extracts. Galactose, glucose, and total glycosyl content were significantly higher in the nonautoclaved extract.