Application of probiotic lactic acid bacteria as a feed additive in broilers

Abstract

The use of probiotic microorganisms in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in animals intended for human consumption has been considered an efficient alternative to the use of antibiotics. Recent studies have shown that certain substances produced by these microorganisms, such as bacteriocins, vitamins, fatty acids, exopolysaccharides, enzymes, among others, improve the immunity and development of their hosts. The most commonly used probiotic microorganisms in the food and pharmaceutical industries are those belonging to the group of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), since they are considered safe by regulatory agencies in this area. A major villain for poultry farming is the contamination by bacteria of the genus Salmonella spp. and Clostridium spp. therefore, the elimination or control of these pathogens is extremely important. Six isolates of probiotic LAB were selected for this research: Pediococcus pentosaceus LBM18 previously isolated from corn silage by Dr. Pamela Azevedo, Lactobacillus agilis LBMC1126 and Lactobacillus reuteri LBMC1134 isolated from chicken intestine, and Lactobacillus johnsonii LBMF2022 and Lactobacillus amylovorus LBMF2022 isolated from pig intestine. These last four probiotic LAB were isolated from research carried out in a FAPESP thematic project (Case 2018/25511-1). The differential and innovation of this proposal is based on the different properties presented by these LAB, such as the production of potent antimicrobials, biopolymer (P. pentosaceus LBM18), production of class B vitamins (L. agilis LBMC1126 and L. reuteri LBMC1134), and production of bacteriocin (L. agilis LBMC1126, L. reuteri LBMC1134, L. johnsonii LBMF2022 and L. amylovorus LBMF2022). In addition to these differentials, the selected LAB showed positive results to be considered as probiotics. These probiotics LAB presented satisfactory results in the growth inhibition of pathogens of interest to poultry farming, indicating promising future results considering their application as a feed additive in broilers. In this context, this proposal presents feasibility and biotechnological potential in the formulation of feed additive from combinations of probiotic LAB. (AU)