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Selection of enterococci for potential canine probiotic additives
Viola Strompfová1, Andrea Lauková, Arthur C Ouwehand
1Institute of Animal Physiology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Soltésovej 4-6, 04001 Kosice, Slovak Republic. strompfv@saske.sk
Veterinary Microbiology
|May 12, 2004
Summary
Researchers identified promising probiotic candidates from dog feces. Enterococcus faecalis EE4 and Enterococcus faecium EF01 demonstrated superior bacteriocin production, bile tolerance, and adhesion, suggesting potential for novel probiotic development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Probiotics
- Animal Health
Background:
- Enterococci are common gut bacteria and frequently used in probiotic formulations.
- Probiotic efficacy relies on specific traits like antimicrobial production and stress tolerance.
- Dog fecal isolates were examined for probiotic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate enterococcal isolates from dog feces for key probiotic characteristics.
- To identify potential candidate strains for novel probiotic products.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of enterococci from dog feces.
- Assessment of bacteriocin production, antibiotic resistance, low pH tolerance, bile tolerance, and adhesion.
- Screening of 40 enterococcal isolates for probiotic properties.
Main Results:
- Enterococcus faecium was the predominant species identified.
- 75% of isolates produced bacteriocins with a Gram-positive inhibitory spectrum.
- Selected strains exhibited high survival rates in the presence of bile (72-98%) and at low pH (76-87%).
- Adhesion to canine and human intestinal mucus varied between 4-11% and 5-8%, respectively.
- Enterococcus faecalis EE4 and Enterococcus faecium EF01 displayed the most favorable probiotic profiles.
Conclusions:
- Enterococcus faecalis EE4 and Enterococcus faecium EF01 are strong candidates for new probiotic strains.
- Further in vivo studies are warranted to confirm their efficacy.