Production and stability of a multi-strain Bacillus based probiotic product for commercial use in poultry

Probiotics can be effective alternatives to the prophylactic use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in response to industry and consumer concerns around their use in poultry. Studies on the suitability of Bacillus probiotics are emerging and showing benefits, but information on the production technology is limited. We developed the production process for a novel probiotic product previously shown to be effective in field trials. All strains were cultivated to a spore concentration exceeding 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU. mL^-1. The spores of each strain were harvested, processed into a powder intermediate and formulated into an end product with 100 % recoveries and a shelf life stability >1 year. The probiotic was shown to be incorporated into broiler feed exceeding the desired concentration of 1 × 10⁶ CFU. g^-1. Using efficient process technology and lower cost materials, this study presents a commercially relevant case for the potential adoption of probiotic products by the poultry industry.