Assessment of Postbiotic, Mundticin-like Substance EM 41/3 Application in Broiler Rabbits

Abstract

Nowadays, the use of probiotics, postbiotics, parabiotics and other beneficial natural substances dominate health status sustainability in animals. Mundticin-like substance EM 41/3 (MLS) is a thermo-stable substance of proteinaceous character—a bacteriocin (postbiotic) with a broad antimicrobial (inhibitory) spectrum produced by the horse-derived strain Enterococcus mundtii EM 41/3. The aim of this study was to find if this new one bacteriocin can have an effect and/or a similar effect in rabbits as was achieved previously by using enterocins detected and characterized in our laboratory. In addition, these tests have been conducted to secure the health of rabbits as food-derived animals. Moreover, the aim of this study was also to test the effect of MLS EM 41/3 in broiler rabbits as an animal model before its use in horses. The parameters tested were analyzed by validated methods. Administration of MLS EM 41/3 lead to a significant increase in the non-specific immunity parameter (phagocytic activity, p < 0.05), while microbiota in feces, caecum and appendix were not negatively influenced. However, the total enterococcal count was significantly increased in the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.001). Application of MLS EM 41/3 did not have a negative impact on blood biochemistry. No oxidative stress was noted. However, higher growth parameters were noted and also hydrolytic activity was increased after MLS EM 41/3 application. Finally, to check physico-chemical parameters, no negative influence on rabbit meat quality was noted. Postbiotic MLS EM 41/3 administration seems to be a contributing factor in the feeding strategy for animal health status sustainability.