Characterization and Functional Test of Canine Probiotics

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Animal Science
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Probiotics, particularly lactic acid bacteria (LAB), influence gut microbiota composition and host health.
• Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are recognized for their probiotic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize novel probiotic strains from canine feces.
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of selected LAB strains for animal health applications.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and annotation of 88 microbial strains from canine feces.
• In vitro testing of four selected strains (CACC517, 537, 558, 566) for probiotic characteristics (antibiosis, antibiotic activity, acid/bile tolerance, cell adhesion).
• In vivo evaluation of probiotic effects on canine and mouse cell lines and a clinical trial assessing gut microbial composition changes.

Main Results:

• Four LAB strains (CACC517, 537, 558, 566) exhibited key probiotic traits, including tolerance to acid and bile and adhesion capabilities.
• Bacterial byproducts enhanced cell viability and reduced oxidative stress in canine and murine cell lines.
• Clinical trials showed distinct alterations in gut microbial composition post-probiotic administration, with clear separation in PCA analysis.

Conclusions:

• The identified probiotic strains (CACC517, 537, 558, 566) possess significant potential for modulating canine gut microbiota.
• These findings support the development of these strains for industrial applications in animal health and nutrition.