Current Status and Future Challenges in the Use of Bacteriocins to Modulate Ruminant Gut Microbiota

The overuse of antibiotics is leading to an ever-increasing risk of bacterial resistance in animals and humans. In response, new alternatives are emerging to combat these threats, including the use of bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are small peptides secreted by bacteria and have a remarkable antimicrobial effect, usually with a narrow spectrum of inhibition. These antimicrobial peptides raise new hopes in the fight against multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and have led to several studies in various fields of scientific research. In agriculture, more specifically in cattle production, bacteriocins are an excellent and promising tool for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows to avoid the overuse of antibiotics. Bacteriocins can also be used to modulate the rumen microbiota to increase feed performance and milk/meat yield. In addition, modulation of rumen microbiota by bacteriocins may reduce methane production and thus the emission of this greenhouse gas by ruminants. This review examines the potential of bacteriocins and bacteriocin-producing bacteria to modulate the rumen microbiota and the resulting effects on ruminant health, productivity, and the reduction of methane emissions.