Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, the antimicrobial proprieties of algae Ascophyllum nodosum and Schizochytrium spp. against one of major swine enteric pathogen Escherichia coli O138 by broth macro-dilution method in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium. The antimicrobial effect of the algal extracts at supplementation of 0.12%, 0.06% and 0.03% (v/v) on E. coli O138, genetically characterised by PCR, was evaluated by following the bacterial growth. The antioxidant activity was determined by the ABTS Radical Cation Decolorisation Assay. In particular, the log10 E. coli used as control resulted significantly higher than 0.12% at 3 hours (8.82 ± 0.07 and 8.18 ± 0.07 log10 cells/mL, respectively; p<.01) suggesting an inhibitory activity related to the dose. No effect activity was observed with Schizochytrium spp. against E. coli growth. A. nodosum and Schizochytrium spp. exhibited antioxidant capacity (p<.05). The combination of them (1:1) exhibited antioxidant activity suggesting a synergistic effect (p<.05). The different proprieties of algal species that can modulate the O138 E. coli growth, one of the major pathogen of swine species, together with the antioxidant capacity, make them a promising functional feed additive to improve the gut health, therefore further studies are needed to confirm these activities in vivo. Highlights The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant proprieties of two species of algae: Ascophyllum nodosum and Schizochytrium spp. Ascophyllum nodosum revealed antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli O138. Both algae exhibited antioxidant capacity also with a synergistic effect.
Highlights
One of today’s challenges, in line with the One-Health principles, is to reduce the use of drugs and antibiotics in humans and livestock because of the rise of antibiotic resistance (EFSA and ECDC 2013; Dhama et al 2013)
A. nodosum is characterised by a high content of minerals, in particular, it is characterised by a high content of calcium and a low content of phosphorous
If algae are used as feed additives, they will be included less than 5% in the diet and this percentage should not constitute an important change in the mineral balance
Summary
One of today’s challenges, in line with the One-Health principles, is to reduce the use of drugs and antibiotics in humans and livestock because of the rise of antibiotic resistance (EFSA and ECDC 2013; Dhama et al 2013). In this context, pig farming is one of the most profitable agricultural practices; antibiotics have often been used in order to deal with critical phases of a pig’s life, such as weaning. Post weaning diarrhoea (PWD), a gastrointestinal disease mainly associated with certain Escherichia coli strains, represents the most common indication for the antimicrobial prescription (Amezcua et al 2002). The reduction of the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, replacing them where possible and rethinking the livestock production system, is essential for the future of animal and public health
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