Probiotics In Animals Research Articles

Roles of Probiotics in Farm Animals: A Review

There are many reports of the positive effects of probiotics on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microorganisms and the immunological systems of their hosts. Probiotics have prophylactic and metaphylactic properties. The two main mechanisms of action of probiotics seem to be the release of compounds with beneficial effects and direct interaction with the cells of the host. The aim of this review was to evaluate the benefits of probiotic use in farm animals and to identify how they influence farm animal performance. The published data suggest that dietary supplementation of probiotics can improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and immune response of farm animals, including cows, sheep, goats, pigs, aquacultures, and poultry. In ruminants, studies have shown that probiotics can significantly enhance the immune response, milk yield, food digestibility, and weight gain, particularly in ruminants exposed to stressful conditions. This is also the case in aquaculture as probiotics have been shown to enhance growth and reproduction traits, provide protection against pathogens, have positive effects on immunity, optimize digestion, and increase water quality. In horses, there is still controversy about the advantages of probiotic supplementation. In addition, some studies showed valuable effects of using probiotics on treatments of GIT diseases, and some studies showed adverse effects of supplementation of probiotics in horses. In poultry, balancing the intestinal microflora is not achievable but controlling the population of microflora is possible and studies showed that supplementation of probiotics could influence some aspects such as improving performance and health parameters. So, probiotics are used by almost all farmers who are trying to reduce antibiotic resistance. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of probiotics to farm animals has many notable influences on their performance, immune system, and diet digestion.

Characterization of Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria Isolated from Rumen: Growth, Acid and Bile Salt Tolerance, and Antimicrobial Function

Lactic acid bacteria are some of the dominant bacteria in the rumen, and they have a high ability for lactic acid production. The present study aimed to screen and evaluate the performance of culturable rumen bacteria from Chinese Holstein dairy cows as a potential probiotic or inoculant for silage production, in order to isolate ruminal lactic acid bacteria and evaluate their potential as probiotics. Three strains of Enterococcus avium (E. avium, EA1-3); three strains of Streptococcus lutetiensis (S. lutetiensis, SL1-3); and six strains of Streptococcus equinus (S. equinus, SE1-6) were successfully identified from the rumen fluid using modified De Man Rogosa sharp medium supplemented with 0.325% lactic acid. E. avium, S. lutetiensis and S. equinus are clustered in the phylogenetic tree. All the 12 Gram-positive strains reached the plateau growth phase in 6–10 h, with an OD600 at about 1.8. Both gas and acid accumulation reached plateaus at about 10–12 h in all strains, and S. equinus showed the strongest capacity. The highest lactic acid accumulation was detected in S. equinus broth (up to 219.77 μmol/L). The growth of all isolates was inhibited at pH 4.0, and EA2, SL1, SL2, SL3 and SE2 were tolerant to 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% bile salt. In addition, the supernatants of the strains had inhibitory effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Specifically, the S. equinus strains exhibited the strongest inhibition of the pathogens. In conclusion, these 12 strains had good potential as silage inoculants or probiotics for edible animals, especially S. equinus.

Screening and evaluation of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential from local Holstein raw milk.

There are massive bacteria in the raw milk, especially the lactic acid bacteria (LABs), which have been considered probiotics in humans and animals for a long time. Novel probiotics are still urgently needed because of the rapid development of the probiotic industry. To obtain new LABs with high probiotic potential, we obtained 26 LAB isolates, named L1 ~ L26, from local Holstein raw milk collected from a farm whose milk had never been used for LAB isolation. We identified them at the species level by biochemical and 16S rDNA sequencing methods. Their antagonistic activities against four target pathogens (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, and Salmonella enterica H9812), co-aggregative ability with these target pathogens, survivability in the simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions and phenol, auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity, hemolytic activity, and antibiotic susceptibility, were evaluated in vitro. Five Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolates (L5, L14, L17, L19, and L20) showed more promising probiotic potential than others. Specifically, these five isolates conglutinated with and inhibited all the target pathogens, and survived in the simulated gastric juice (92.55 ~ 99.69%), intestinal juice (76.18 ~ 83.39%), and 0.4% phenol (76.95 ~ 88.91%); possessed considerable auto-aggregation (83.91 ~ 90.33% at 24 h) and hydrophobicity (79.32 ~ 92.70%); and were non-hemolytic, sensitive to kinds of common antimicrobials. Our findings demonstrated that these five isolates could be preliminarily determined as probiotic candidates because they have better probiotic potential than those previously reported. Again, this study highlighted the potential of raw milk for probiotic isolating and screening and provided the probiotic industry with five new LAB candidates.

A study about the application of probiotics on Apis mellifera

Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of applying the common animal probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum strain JCM 1149 (LP), Bacillus subtilis subsp subtilis strain 168 (BS), Bifidobacterium adolescentis ATCC 15703 (BA), and Clostridium butyricum strain VP13266 (CB) in beekeeping systems. In a laboratory-controlled trial, the effects of LP, BS, BA and CB on nutrient deposition and immune properties of honey bees were evaluated. LP, BA, and CB enhanced pepsin activity, BS and LP increased lipase activity, and LP increased sucrase activity in the midgut, suggesting that these probiotics can improve the utilization of nutrients in honey bees by improving the activity of digestive enzyme activity. Besides, CB improved the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. LP and BS increased T-AOC and SOD activity. BS up-regulated the expression of Abaecin, Apidaecin, and Defensin-1. LP up-regulated the expression of Defensin-2. BA and CB up-regulated the expression of Abaecin and Apidaecin, respectively. According to the results of the laboratory-controlled trial, LP and BS could be more beneficial for honey bees compared to the other two tested strains. To study the effect of LP and BS supplementation in the field, we evaluated the colony size, the weight of newly emerged workers, the content of short-chain fatty acids, and the composition of the gut bacterial community. BS increased the population size of the colonies, the weight of newly emerged workers, and the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, showing it to be a beneficial symbiont. BS also significantly increased the content of acetic acid, propionic acid, and isobutyric acid. Overall, the results of this study indicate that animal probiotics can be used for beekeeping, and BS was the most effective as a feed additive for honey bees.

Molecular Detection of Age-Related Abundance and Diversity of Bifidobacterium spp. in Pastured Goats

Bifidobacterium spp. are among bacteria being developed as probiotics for farm animals. Understanding diversity of the normal gut inhabitants is a prerequisite to developing species-specific probiotics strains that are likely to establish in the host. For many farm animals including goats, the normal gut Bifidobacterium inhabitants have not been characterized including age based differences. The objective of this exploratory study was to gain preliminary understanding of abundance and diversity of Bifidobacterium species in goats of different ages. Molecular methods have given scientists fast methods for exploratory insights into previously uncharacterized microbiomes. Consequently, in this study we utilized molecular assays using genus and species specific primers to characterize Bifidobacterium in pastured goats. Although Bifidobacterium were detected in all ages, younger animals had higher counts than older goats. In goats below six months of age, B. angulatum, B. dentium, B. gallicum, B. animalis sub animalis, B. longum and B. catenulatum were detected. In goats six months and older, B. dentium and B. gallicum were predominant. In some goats however, the specific strains could not be identified with the currently available primers indicating there are goat specific unique strains that are yet to be characterized. Further research to characterize and isolate Bifidobacterium in goats are needed for future probiotic applications. In conclusion, Bifidobacterium spp. were common in all age groups of pastured goats but more abundant in pre-weaned goats compared to goats over six months. In addition age related differences in the diversity of Bifidobacterium spp. in goats were reported.

Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 and SAU-20 Isolated From Ageratina adenophora Alleviates the Intestinal Structure and Integrity Damage Associated With Gut Dysbiosis in Mice Fed High Fat Diet.

This study was performed to identify potential probiotic endophytes from Ageratina adenophora and evaluate their ameliorating effects on gut injury and integrity damage associated with microbiota dysbiosis in mice fed high fat diet. Using morphological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing technique, two bacteria endophytes were identified as strains of Bacillus toyonensis and were named Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 (GenBank No. MW287198) and Bacillus toyonensis SAU-20 (GenBank No. MW287199). Sixty (60) mice were divided into five groups, group 1 was the negative control fed normal diet (NS), group 2 was fed High fat diet (HF), Group 3 was fed High fat diet + 106 Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG), group 4 was fed High fat + 106 Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 and group 5 fed High fat diet + 106 Bacillus toyonensis SAU-20. After 35 days, histological and immunohistochemistry examination were performed in the ileum tissues. Furthermore, DAO and antioxidants activities were measured in serum, mRNA expressions of tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) and inflammation related cytokines (IL-1β, TFN-α, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) in the ileum tissues as well as sIgA levels and total bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Lactobacillus) in the small intestine and cecum content. The results showed an increase in the DAO activity, oxidative stress parameter (MDA), pro-inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, TFN-α, IL-2), reduce immunity (sIgA), and destroyed intestinal structure and integrity (reduce tight junction proteins) in the high fat diet group and this was associated with destruction of the gut microbiota composition (increasing pathogenic bacteria; E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus and reducing beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus spp.) in mice (P < 0.05). However, the administration of Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 and SAU-20 reverted these effects. Our findings indicated that, Bacillus toyonensis SAU-19 and SAU-20 isolated from A. adenophora could prevent the excess weight gain from high fat diet feeding, improved antioxidant status and alleviated the intestine integrity damage as well as reduce the population of enteric bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and S. aureus and increasing the population of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus in the gut of mice fed high fat diet, therefore, can serve as a potential probiotics in humans and animals.

Immunomodulation Potential of Probiotics: A Novel Strategy for Improving Livestock Health, Immunity, and Productivity.

Over the past decade, the use of probiotics as feed supplements in animal production has increased considerably due to the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock. This review provides an overview of the current situation, limitation, and prospects for probiotic formulations applied to livestock. Recently, the use of probiotics in livestock has been suggested to significantly improve their health, immunity, growth performance, nutritional digestibility, and intestinal microbial balance. Furthermore, it was reported that the use of probiotics in animals was helpful in equilibrating their beneficial microbial population and microbial turnover via stimulating the host immune response through specific secretions and competitive exclusion of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract. Recently, there has been great interest in the understanding of probiotics targeted diet and its ability to compete with harmful microbes and acquire their niches. Therefore, the present review explores the most commonly used probiotic formulations in livestock feed and their effect on animal health. In summary, this article provides an in-depth knowledge about the formulation of probiotics as a step toward a better alternative to antibiotic healthy growth strategies.

Metabolic and Microbial Changes Associated With Diet and Obesity During Pregnancy: What Can We Learn From Animal Studies?

The intestinal microbiota changes throughout pregnancy and influences maternal metabolic adaptations to support fetal growth. Obesity induces alterations to the microbiota that include decreased microbial diversity and shifts in microbial composition, though specific species changes are inconsistent between published studies. In animal models, probiotics and exercise moderate maternal weight gain and partially correct the maternal microbiota. Supplemental Escherichia coli, however, exacerbate maternal obesity during the perinatal period, lending weight to the theory that inflammation-induced gut epithelial barrier leak influences metabolic dysregulation. Although birth weight is not always altered when offspring are exposed to an obesogenic diet during gestation, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism are impacted through adulthood in association with this exposure and can lead to increased body weight in adulthood. Postnatal offspring growth is accelerated in response to maternal overnutrition during lactation. Offspring microbiota, metabolism, and behavior are altered in response to early exposure to high fat and high sucrose diets. Consequences to this exposure include impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis, fatty liver, and neurobehavioral deficits that can be ameliorated by improving the microbial environment. In this mini review, we provide an overview of the use of translational animal models to understand the mechanisms associated with changes to the gastrointestinal microbiota due to maternal obesity and the microbial impact on the metabolic changes of pregnancy.

Mechanism of Lactobacillus reuteri Probiotic in Increasing Intestinal Mucosal Immune System

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which, when consumed in adequate quantities as food ingredients, provide health benefits to the host. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces, are three probiotics that are intensively used as probiotics in humans and animals. Probiotics have beneficial effects on health when given adequate amounts. The concept of probiotics on human health, namely modulating the gut microbiota and its effect on the host. Probiotics play an important role in maintaining intestinal integrity through a number of different interactions, including changes in cytokine expression in the mucosa. Probiotics compete with intestinal pathogens for mucosal receptors, thereby increasing interepithelial resistance. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus casei sp GG strain was used as a prophylaxis that could increase the expression of epithelial mucin, thereby reducing the translocation of pathogenic bacteria. Abnormal local immune response is characterized by decreased secretion of IgA, thus allowing enterocyte attachment and local translocation of bacterial antigens, which are the main stimulation of pathological events. Colonic stasis can promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria which allows malignant porin bacterial strains to thrive. The gut microbiota has a major influence on human health. The microbial population has an important role in the host, such as the metabolic activity of probiotics producing energy and nutrient absorption, developing the host immune system, and preventing colonization and infection of pathogens. Lactobacillus reuteri is a hetero-fermentative bacterium that lives in the digestive tract of humans. L. reuteri has been used to treat infant necrotizing pseudomembrane. In this paper, the mechanism of L reuteri to increase host immunological response will be reviewed.

Some Important Metabolites Produced by Lactic Acid Bacteria Originated from Kimchi.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been used for various food fermentations for thousands of years. Recently, LAB are receiving increased attention due to their great potential as probiotics for man and animals, and also as cell factories for producing enzymes, antibodies, vitamins, exopolysaccharides, and various feedstocks. LAB are safe organisms with GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status and possess relatively simple metabolic pathways easily subjected to modifications. However, relatively few studies have been carried out on LAB inhabiting plants compared to dairy LAB. Kimchi is a Korean traditional fermented vegetable, and its fermentation is carried out by LAB inhabiting plant raw materials of kimchi. Kimchi represents a model food with low pH and is fermented at low temperatures and in anaerobic environments. LAB have been adjusting to kimchi environments, and produce various metabolites such as bacteriocins, γ-aminobutyric acid, ornithine, exopolysaccharides, mannitol, etc. as products of metabolic efforts to adjust to the environments. The metabolites also contribute to the known health-promoting effects of kimchi. Due to the recent progress in multi-omics technologies, identification of genes and gene products responsible for the synthesis of functional metabolites becomes easier than before. With the aid of tools of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, it can be envisioned that LAB strains producing valuable metabolites in large quantities will be constructed and used as starters for foods and probiotics for improving human health. Such LAB strains can also be useful as production hosts for value-added products for food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, recent findings on the selected metabolites produced by kimchi LAB are discussed, and the potentials of metabolites will be mentioned.

The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Osteolastogenesis and Immune Relevance.

Osteoporosis is very common in middle-aged and elderly people, and its main feature is a disease characterized by bone mass reduction and bone microstructure changes, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the risk of fracture. This is a disease affected by many factors and is more common in postmenopausal women. Currently, the treatment of osteoporosis is mainly to prevent bone resorption and reduce the risk of fracture; a variety of drugs have been used in the treatment of osteoporosis and achieved good results. In recent years, with the in-depth study of intestinal microorganisms, a strong impact of intestinal microflora on bone metabolism in terms of immunity has been reported. It can be observed in mouse-based models, which indicates that intestinal flora may be a potential new target for changing bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, the intestinal flora is a complex system that affects and regulates the absorption of calcium and vitamin D. It affects the permeability of the intestine through its own secretion of related influencing factors and its own activities, and further affects the secretion of human hormones and immune response. Besides that, T helper cells, lymphocytes, TNF, IL-17, and the RANKL system play a key role. The impact of probiotics and prebiotics on humans is controversial due to the scarcity of research data. However, many studies have shown that the role of probiotics in different animals varies with gender, age and hormone secretion. Changes in the intestinal flora are closely related to osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. Changing its composition and activity may be a reliable strategy for altering bone quality, although further clinical studies are needed to determine the correct human method.

Modulatory Effects of Bacillus subtilis on the Performance, Morphology, Cecal Microbiota and Gut Barrier Function of Laying Hens.

Simple SummaryThe excessive or improper use of antibiotics in chicken feed has led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, drug residues in the tissue, and other relevant issues, and this situation is severe in China. From 31 December 2020, antibiotics were banned for use as supplemental growth promoters in animal feed in China; therefore, antibiotic substitutes are urgently needed in China. People are searching for ideal antibiotic alternatives, and probiotics have proven their potential use for this. Our current trial aims to evaluate the effects of the Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1 strain on laying hens, including the effects on performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function. Our study showed that orally administering laying hens with probiotic B. subtilis cannot significantly improve their overall egg production, can induce a healthier microbiota composition characterized by a higher ratio of beneficial bacteria, and strengthens the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing a higher expression of the tight junction protein. This makes it a valid probiotic alternative to antibiotics, and also a reference strain for clinical application in the poultry industry.We investigated the efficacy of a single bacterium strain, Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) YW1, on the performance, morphology, cecal microbiota, and intestinal barrier function of laying hens. A total of 216 28-week-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were divided into three dietary treatment groups, with six replicates of 12 birds each for 4 weeks. The control group (Ctr) was fed a basal diet and the treatment groups, T1 and T2, were fed a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis at a dose rate of 5 × 108 CFU/kg and 2.5 × 109 CFU/kg, respectively. Dietary supplementation with B. subtilis did not significantly affect overall egg production in both groups, with no obvious changes in average egg weight and intestine morphology. B. subtilis administration also improved the physical barrier function of the intestine by inducing significantly greater expression levels of the tight junction protein occludin in T1 (p = 0.07) and T2 (p < 0.05). Further, supplementation with B. subtilis effectively modulated the cecal microbiota, increasing the relative level of beneficial bacteria at the genus level (e.g., Bifidobacterium p < 0.05, Lactobacillus p = 0.298, Bacillus p = 0.550) and decreasing the level of potential pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium p < 0.05, Staphylococcus p < 0.05, Campylobacter p = 0.298). Overall, B. subtilis YW1 supplementation cannot significantly improve the egg production; however, it modulated the cecal microbiota towards a healthier pattern and promoted the mRNA expression of the tight junction protein occludin in laying hens, making B. subtilis YW1 a good probiotic candidate for application in the poultry industry, and further expanding the resources of strains of animal probiotics.

Integration of Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Significance of Autonomic Neural Influence

The Gut-brain Axis (GBA) is the bidirectional communication between the brain and the enteric nervous system of the gut, linking emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral intestinal functions. Gut microbiota profoundly influences these interactions. The interaction between microbiota and GBA is made bidirectional by signalling from gut-microbiota to brain and from brain to gut-microbiota through neural, endocrine, immune, and humoral communications. Hence, this bidirectional relationship between gut and the brain is more precisely called as microbiota-gut-brain axis (microbiota-GBA).[1] Microbiota-GBA is closely associated with many functions and dysfunctions in health and diseases in human beings. However, most of the data on GBA have been acquired using germ-free animal models, probiotics, antibiotics, and infection studies in experimental models. In clinical medicine, data on functions of microbiota- GBA are derived mainly from the association of dysbiosis with central nervous disorders, especially in autism and anxiety-depressive behaviours and from functional gastrointestinal disorders. Especially, irritable bowel syndrome is considered as a prototype of the disruption of this complex relationship of microbiota-GBA.[2] Read more...

New Insights into the Virulence Traits and Antibiotic Resistance of Enterococci Isolated from Diverse Probiotic Products.

The GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status of Enterococcus has not yet been authenticated, but enterococci, as probiotics, have been increasingly applied in human healthcare and animal husbandry, for instance as a dietary supplement, feed additive, or growth promotor. The food chain is the important route for introducing enterococci into the human gut. The pathogenicity of Enterococcus from probiotic products requires investigation. In the study, 110 commercial probiotic products used for human, animal, aquaculture, and plants were examined, among which 36 enterococci were identified, including 31 from Enterococcus faecium, 2 from E. faecalis, 2 from E. casseliflavus, and 1 from E. gallinarum. Strikingly, 28 of the 36 enterococci isolated from probiotics here did not mention the presence of Enterococcus in the labeled ingredients, and no Enterococcus isolates were found from 5 animal probiotics that were labeled with the genus. In total, 35 of the 110 products exhibited hemolysis, including 5 (10.6%) human probiotics, 14 (41.2%) animal probiotics, 8 (57.1%) aquaculture probiotics, and 8 (53.3%) plant probiotics. The detection rates of virulence factors associated with adhesion, antiphagocytosis, exoenzyme, biofilm, and other putative virulence markers (PVM) in 36 enterococci were 94.4%, 91.7%, 5.6%, 94.4% and 8.3%. Twenty-six of the 36 isolated strains exhibited biofilm formation ability, where 25 strains (69.4%) and one (2.8%) were strong and weak biofilm producers, respectively. We analyzed the resistance rates against erythromycin (97%), vancomycin and ciprofloxacin (8%), tetracycline (3%), and high-level aminoglycosides (0%), respectively. High detection rates of msrC/lsaA (86%) and aac(6′)-Ii (86%) were observed, followed by vanC (8%), tetM (3%). The Tn5801-tetM-like integrative conjugative element (ICE) was identified in E. gallinarum, exhibiting resistance to tetracycline (64 μg/mL). Seven probiotic E. faecalis and E. faecium, as active ingredients in human probiotics, shared the same STs (sequence types) and were distinct from the STs of other contaminated or mislabeled enterococci, indicating that two particular STs belonged to native probiotic isolates. These findings advocate appropriate assessments of enterococci when used in probiotics.

A Review on the Biotechnological Applications of the Operational Group Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Bacteria under the operational group Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (OGBa) are all Gram-positive, endospore-forming, and rod-shaped. Taxonomically, the OGBa belongs to the Bacillus subtilis species complex, family Bacillaceae, class Bacilli, and phylum Firmicutes. To date, the OGBa comprises four bacterial species: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus velezensis and Bacillus nakamurai. They are widely distributed in various niches including soil, plants, food, and water. A resurgence in genome mining has caused an increased focus on the biotechnological applications of bacterial species belonging to the OGBa. The members of OGBa are known as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) due to their abilities to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, and produce siderophore and phytohormones, as well as antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, they are also reported to produce various enzymes including α-amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase, xylanase, pectinase, aminotransferase, barnase, peroxidase, and laccase. Antimicrobial compounds that able to inhibit the growth of pathogens including non-ribosomal peptides and polyketides are also produced by these bacteria. Within the OGBa, various B. velezensis strains are promising for use as probiotics for animals and fishes. Genome mining has revealed the potential applications of members of OGBa for removing organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides. Thus, this review focused on the applicability of members of OGBa as plant growth promoters, biocontrol agents, probiotics, bioremediation agents, as well as producers of commercial enzymes and antibiotics. Here, the bioformulations and commercial products available based on these bacteria are also highlighted. This review will better facilitate understandings of members of OGBa and their biotechnological applications.

Antimicrobial resistance, virulence characteristics and genotypes of Bacillus spp. from probiotic products of diverse origins

Spore-forming probiotic Bacillus spp. have received extensively increasing scientific and commercial interest, but raised the concerns in the potential risks and pathogenesis. In this study, 50 commercial probiotic products were collected from all over the country and Bacillus spp. isolated from products were evaluated for the safety on the aspects of hemolytic activity, contamination profiles, toxin genes, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial resistance, and genotyping. 34 probiotic products (68%) exhibited hemolysis, including 19 human probiotics, 9 animal probiotics, and 6 plant probiotics. 28 products (56%) contained other bacteria not labeled in the ingredients. 48 strains in Bacillus spp. including 17 B. subtilis group isolates, 28 B. cereus, and 3 other Bacillus spp. were isolated from human, food animal, and plant probiotic products. Detection rates of enterotoxin genes, nheABC and hblCDA, and cytotoxin cytK2 in 48 Bacillus spp. isolates were 58%, 31%, and 46%, respectively. Also, one isolate B. cereus 34b from an animal probiotic product was positive for ces, encoding cereulide. 28 of 48 Bacillus spp. isolates were cytotoxic. 19 of 28 B. cereus isolates maintained to exhibit hemolysis after heat treatment. All 48 Bacillus spp. isolates exhibited resistance to lincomycin, and 5 were resistant to tetracycline. The genotyping of commercial probiotic Bacillus spp. reported in this study showed that ces existed in B. cereus 34b with the specific sequence type (ST1066). These findings support the hypothesis that probiotic products were frequently contaminated and that some commercial probiotics consisted of Bacillus spp. may possess toxicity and antimicrobial resistance genes. Thus, the further efforts are needed in regarding the surveillance of virulence factors, toxins, and antibiotic resistance determinants in probiotic Bacillus spp.

Physiological studies of the Pediococcus pentosaceus biofilm.

Pediococcus pentosaceus, a bacterium recently used in human and animal probiotics, was used in combination with supports made from polylactic acid composite soybean meal was used to study biofilm formation, and it was found that dense biofilms developed by Day 1. Proteomic comparison between planktonic and biofilm cultures of P. pentosaceus showed distinct expression patterns of intracellular and extracellular proteins. Type I glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was upregulated in biofilm cultures and mediated cell adhesion and encouraged biofilm production. GMP synthase, which regulates GMP synthesis and acts as an intracellular signal molecule to control cell mechanisms and has been exploited in the development of new therapeutic agents, was also upregulated in the biofilm mode of growth. The present work serves as a basis for future studies examining the complex network of systems that regulate lactic acid bacterial (LAB) biofilm formation and can serve as a framework for studies of production of therapeutic agents from LAB.

The use of probiotic drug Monosporin in diets of heifers

Rearing of replacement young animals in particular of calves based on the scientific notion of development of the organism, knowledge of age-specific physiology of digestion, metabolism of nutrients and needs them in the process of ontogenesis animals. The main task in the development and use of new effective feed additives is to increase the growth energy and livability of young cattle. One of the most reliable tools in this case are probiotic drugs of the new generation. Probiotics in animals activate digestion; strengthen non-specific immunity, which is the result of normalization of the microbiocenosis of the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this work was to study the possibility and effectiveness of using a multi-factorial microbiological drug Monosporin produced by Biotechnagro LLC (Krasnodar) in feeding of heifers. In the diets of heifers of experimental groups, the probiotic feed additive Monosporin has been used in quantities of 3,0 g/head/day (the 2nd experimental group) and 5,0 g/head/day (the 3rd experimental group). Heifers of the 1st control group did not receive this additive. It has been found that the expenditures of concentrated feed in heifers of the 2nd experimental group was lower by 3,5 %. Their herdmates of the 3rd experimental group spent concentrates per 1 kg of live weight gain by 5,4 % less compared to the 1st control group. In heifers of the 3rd experimental group have been received 5 g/head/day of probiotic feed additive of multivariate action Monosporin, feed expenditures per unit of live weight gain were the lowest. According to the results of research, it can be assumed that the use of the studied feed additive in these dosages contributes to the better use of metabolic energy and nutrients in the diet when rearing heifers.

Paraprobiotics and Postbiotics of Probiotic Lactobacilli, Their Positive Effects on the Host and Action Mechanisms: A Review.

Lactobacilli comprise an important group of probiotics for both human and animals. The emerging concern regarding safety problems associated with live microbial cells is enhancing the interest in using cell components and metabolites derived from probiotic strains. Here, we define cell structural components and metabolites of probiotic bacteria as paraprobiotics and postbiotics, respectively. Paraprobiotics and postbiotics produced from Lactobacilli consist of a wide range of molecules including peptidoglycans, surface proteins, cell wall polysaccharides, secreted proteins, bacteriocins, and organic acids, which mediate positive effect on the host, such as immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, and barrier-preservation effects. In this review, we systematically summarize the paraprobiotics and postbiotics derived from Lactobacilli and their beneficial functions. We also discuss the mechanisms underlying their beneficial effects on the host, and their interaction with the host cells. This review may boost our understanding on the benefits and molecular mechanisms associated with paraprobiotics and probiotics from Lactobacilli, which may promote their applications in humans and animals.

The Potential Use of Probiotics to Improve Animal Health, Efficiency, and Meat Quality: A Review

To address the rapidly growing use of probiotics in animal agriculture, this review discusses the effect of probiotics on animal growth and development, immune response, and productivity. Several benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics in farm animals, such as improved growth and feed efficiency, reduced mortality, and enhanced product quality. While the mechanisms through which probiotics induce their beneficial effects are not well understood, their role in modifying the gastrointestinal microbiota is believed to be the main mechanism. The use of probiotics in fresh and fermented meat products has been also shown to reduce pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms and improve sensory characteristics. Although many benefits have been associated with the use of probiotics, their effectiveness in improving animal performance and product quality is highly variable. Factors that dictate such variability are dependent on the probiotic strain being utilized and its stability during storage and administration/inoculation, frequency and dosage, nutritional and health status as well as age of the host animal. Therefore, future research should focus on finding more effective probiotic strains for the desired use and identifying the optimum dose, administration time, delivery method, and mechanism of action for each strain/host.