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Genetic and Phenotypic Characteristics of a Multi-strain Probiotic for Broilers
Deon P Neveling1, Jayesh J Ahire1, Wikus Laubscher2
1Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa.
Current Microbiology
|December 14, 2019
Summary
Six beneficial bacteria strains isolated from broiler gastro-intestinal tracts were identified and showed probiotic properties. These strains, including Lactobacillus and Bacillus species, produced beneficial compounds and formed biofilms, indicating potential as effective probiotics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Science
- Probiotics
Background:
- The gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of poultry harbors diverse bacterial communities.
- Probiotics offer a promising alternative to antibiotics for improving animal health and productivity.
- Identifying novel bacterial strains with probiotic potential is crucial for sustainable livestock farming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize bacteria from the GIT of free-range broilers.
- To evaluate the probiotic properties of selected bacterial strains.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic combination in broilers.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial isolation from different GIT segments of healthy broilers.
- Identification of isolates using 16S rRNA, gyrB, and recA gene sequencing.
- Screening for probiotic properties: exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, biofilm formation, hydrogen peroxide production, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, and enzyme production (phytase, amylase).
- In vivo safety assessment by feeding a multi-strain combination to broilers.
Main Results:
- Six bacterial strains were identified: Lactobacillus gallinarum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus crispatus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
- All six strains produced exopolysaccharides (EPS) and formed biofilms under simulated broiler GIT conditions.
- Specific strains exhibited beneficial activities: L. johnsonii and L. salivarius produced hydrogen peroxide; L. crispatus and E. faecalis produced bile salt hydrolase (BSH) and phytase; B. amyloliquefaciens produced phytase, amylase, surfactin, and iturin A1.
- No adverse effects were observed in broilers fed the multi-strain combination.
Conclusions:
- The identified bacterial strains possess significant probiotic properties, including EPS production, biofilm formation, and the synthesis of antimicrobial and functional enzymes.
- The multi-strain combination demonstrated safety and potential for use as a probiotic in broiler chickens.
- These findings support the development of novel probiotics for enhancing gut health and performance in poultry.
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