Replacement of Metaphylactic Antimicrobial Therapy by Oral Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 in a Pig Farm

Characterization of a Ligilactobacillus salivarius Strain Isolated from a Cheese Seal Which Was Last Used in 1936

Cheesemaking played a pivotal role in the life of the Pyrenean villages where cheese was a most prized commodity and the subject of much local competition. In one of them (Sasa de Sobrepuerto), Mrs. Sebastiana Palacio decided in 1877 to label all the cheeses made in her household with a seal to differentiate them from those made by other local producers. The cheese seal was last used in 1936 and, since then, it has been kept under excellent storage conditions. Since well-preserved cheese seals are rare, and bacterial cells may survive desiccation for long periods, the objective of this work was to isolate and characterize any lactic acid bacteria that survived in the seal. Analysis of the milky crust material revealed the presence of sheep caseins. Culture-based analysis led to the isolation of a strain of Bacillus licheniformis and a strain of Ligilactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius SP36). The latter was characterized in vitro for safety and dairy-related functional properties. Its genome encodes several genes involved in protein, peptide, and amino acid catabolism, and flavor. Overall, the phenotypic and genetic features of this strain support a high potential for being used as adjunct culture in cheesemaking.

Compound prebiotics as prophylactic and adjunctive treatments ameliorate DSS-induced colitis through gut microbiota modulation effects

The prophylactic and adjunctive impacts of compound prebiotics (CP), comprising galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, and isomalto-oligosaccharides, on colitis remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of CP on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis via modulation of the gut microbiota. Mice received prophylactic CP (PCP) for three weeks and DSS in the second week. In the third week, therapeutic CP, mesalazine, and a combination of CP and mesalazine (CPM) were administered to mice with DSS-induced colitis. The administration of PCP and CPM was found to ameliorate colitis, as evidenced by increases in body weight and colon length, elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and reductions in the disease activity index, histological scores, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice with DSS-induced colitis on days 14 or 21. Furthermore, an increase in the relative abundance of probiotics (Ligilactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Limosilactobacillus), alpha diversity indices, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) contents, and microbial network complexity was observed following PCP or CPM treatment. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between these probiotics and both SCFA and IL-10, and negative associations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study highlighted the potential of CP as novel prophylactic and adjunctive treatments for alleviating DSS-induced intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis.

Probiotic capacity of commensal lactic acid bacteria from the intestine of Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

The intricate balance of intestinal microbiota is significantly influenced by the pivotal role of indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These LAB not only contribute to antimicrobial activity and enhance animal health and productivity but also serve as defense against intestinal infections. In the present study, the probiotic potential of LAB strains isolated from various intestinal sections of adult and young guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) was comprehensively assessed. Strains belonging to the genera Ligilactobacillus, Weissella, Enterococcus, and Limosilactobacillus were also identified. The antibacterial activities of the LAB strains against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were quantified. Exopolysaccharide production, adherence capacity, antibiotic resistance, and bile salt tolerance (0.15 %, 0.30 %, and 0.45 %) of LAB were quantified. Further analyses focused on the effects of pH (2.9, 5.0, 6.4, and 7.4), temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C) and NaCl concentrations (3.5 % and 6.5 % w/v) on LAB growth. Strains GCI9 and GDE10 (Ligilactobacillus salivarius), isolated from the cecum and intestine of guinea pigs, exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against S. typhimurium, E. coli and S. aureus. Remarkable adherence capacity to porcine gastric mucin was demonstrated by L. salivarius strains, specifically ACI1, GCI9, and GDE10, with the highest exopolysaccharide levels produced by ACI1 and GCI9 (1.71 and 1.76 mg/mL, respectively). The probiotic potential was further underscored by remarkable bile salt tolerance, especially in strain GDE10, and substantial exopolysaccharide production. These strains displayed notable adaptability to varying environmental conditions, including NaCl concentrations at 3.5 % and 6.5 %, temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 °C, and pH levels of 2.9, 5.0, 6.4, and 7.4. This comprehensive assessment of the probiotic properties of L. salivarius strains, particularly ACI1, GCI9, and GDE10, shows promise for the development of probiotic formulations aimed at enhancing the intestinal health of guinea pigs.

Bacterial butyrate mediates the anti-atherosclerotic effect of silybin

Silybin (SIL) is a versatile bioactive compound used for improving liver damage and lipid disorders and is also thought to be beneficial for atherosclerosis (AS). The goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of SIL in the treatment of AS in ApoE-/-mice fed a high-fat diet and explore the mechanism underlying treatment outcomes. We found that SIL significantly alleviated AS-related parameters, including the extent of aortic plaque formation, hyperlipidemia, and adhesion molecule secretion in the vascular endothelium. 16 S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, together with the application of antibiotics, showed that intestinal butyrate-producing bacteria mediated the ameliorative effect of SIL on AS. Further analysis revealed that SIL facilitated butyrate production by increasing the level of butyryl-CoA: acetate CoA-transferase (BUT). The increased expression of monocarboxylic acid transporter-1 (MCT1) induced by butyrate and MCT4 induced by SIL in the apical and basolateral membranes of colonocytes, respectively, resulted in enhanced absorption of intestinal butyrate into the circulation, leading to the alleviation of arterial endothelium dysfunction. Moreover, the SIL-mediated increase in intestinal butyrate levels restored gut integrity by upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins and promoting gut immunity, thus inhibiting the AS-induced inflammatory response. This is the first study to show that SIL can alleviate AS by modulating the production of bacterial butyrate and its subsequent absorption.

Probiotics and Postbiotics as an Alternative to Antibiotics: An Emphasis on Pigs

Probiotics are being used as feed/food supplements as an alternative to antibiotics. It has been demonstrated that probiotics provide several health benefits, including preventing diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and immunomodulation. Alongside probiotic bacteria-fermented foods, the different structural components, such as lipoteichoic acids, teichoic acids, peptidoglycans, and surface-layer proteins, offer several advantages. Probiotics can produce different antimicrobial components, enzymes, peptides, vitamins, and exopolysaccharides. Besides live probiotics, there has been growing interest in consuming inactivated probiotics in farm animals, including pigs. Several reports have shown that live and killed probiotics can boost immunity, modulate intestinal microbiota, improve feed efficiency and growth performance, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea, positioning them as an interesting strategy as a potential feed supplement for pigs. Therefore, effective selection and approach to the use of probiotics might provide essential features of using probiotics as an important functional feed for pigs. This review aimed to systematically investigate the potential effects of lactic acid bacteria in their live and inactivated forms on pigs.

Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 as an Alternative to Metaphylactic Antimicrobials in Swine: The Impact on Production Parameters and Meat Composition

The metaphylactic use of antimicrobials in swine farms contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which constitutes a major challenge for public health. Alternative strategies are required to eradicate their routine use. In a previous study, metaphylactic antimicrobials were replaced by the administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 to sows and piglets for two years. This practice positively modified the fecal microbiota and metabolic profiles in the farm. In this work, the farm dataset was used to compare the productivity-related parameters between a 2-year period of routine metaphylactic antibiotherapy and the first 2 years of a replacement with the probiotic strain. The probiotic period improved these productivity-related parameters, from litter size to growth performance. In addition, samples of Longissimus lumborum, including skin and subcutaneous fat, were obtained from the animals ingesting the probiotic strain and controls (metaphylactic antibiotherapy) and analyzed for their pH, water holding capacity, composition, and metabolic profiling. The probiotic intake did not negatively affect the meat composition and was associated with an increase in inosine concentration and a slight tendency for increasing the intramuscular fat content. These factors are considered as biomarkers of meat quality. In conclusion, the substitution of metaphylactic antimicrobials with the administration of the probiotic strain was associated with beneficial productivity and meat quality outcomes.

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.

Impact of zinc oxide, benzoic acid and probiotics on the performance and cecal microbiota of piglets

Background

Intestinal health remains a key factor in animal production because it is essential for digestion, absorption and bacterial fermentation. Feed additives have been used to attenuate the weaning stress such as Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and benzoic acid (C₇H₆O₂). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of of benzoic acid and probiotics (BA + P) on performance, diarrhea and cecal microbiota of piglets in the nursery phase (23 to 65 days).

Results

One hundred and sixty weaned piglets with an initial weight of 6.335 ± 0.698 kg and 23 days of age were submitted to four treatments: supplementation with 2500 ppm of Zinc oxide (ZnO), supplementation with a commercial blend of benzoic acid and probiotics (Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415; Vevogut P®) (BA + P), supplementation with Zinc oxide plus benzoic acid and probiotics (ZnO + BA + P), and controls receiving only the basal diet without any supplementation. At 65 days of age, 32 piglets (n = 8 per treatment) were slaughtered for the evaluation of the cecal microbiota. Supplementation with ZnO and BA + P were associated with better feed conversion (P < 0.05) in the early stage (23 to 49 days) and with an improvement in all performance parameters over the entire experimental period. The occurrence of diarrhea was lower (P < 0.05) in the BA + P group. The 4 most abundant phyla along with unclassified bacteria represented 93% of all sequences. Firmicutes dominated the cecal microbiota of all groups, followed by Bacteroidetes. Richness represented by the observed number of genera and by the Chao index were statistically lower in ZnO and ZnO + BA + P supplemented animals compared to controls. The beta diversity analysis that compares similarities between bacterial communities demonstrated formation of two distinct clusters containing samples with and without supplementation with ZnO, confirming a strong influence of ZnO on the intestinal microbiota.

Conclusion

The use of Benzoic acid with probiotics yields similar performance results with lower impact on the gut microbiota compared to ZnO, and it should be considered as a potential alternative in swine production.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s42523-021-00151-y.

Probiotics and Postbiotics as Substitutes of Antibiotics in Farm Animals: A Review

Simple Summary

Breeders are searching for methods to protect farming animals against diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. The easiest way to fight bacteria is to use antibiotics. Unfortunately, their abuse results in the presence of bacteria resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics in the environment. The restrictions on the use of antibiotics have forced the search for natural and safe ways to protect animals. It has been shown that the use of probiotics based on lactic acid bacteria may have a positive effect on the growth and use of feed by broilers, on the stabilization of the intestinal microbiota of chickens and pigs, and in the prevention of mastitis in dairy cows. The use of probiotics (live, nonpathogenic microorganisms) and postbiotics (inanimate bacteria, cell components or post-fermentation by-products) reduces the occurrence of pathogens in large-scale farms.

Abstract

Since 2006, the use of growth-promoting antibiotics has been banned throughout the European Union. To meet the expectations of livestock farmers, various studies have been carried out with the use of lactic acid bacteria. Scientists are trying to obtain the antimicrobial effect against the most common pathogens in large-scale farms. Supplementing the diet of broilers with probiotics (live, nonpathogenic microorganisms) stabilized the intestinal microbiota, which improved the results of body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI). The positive effect of probiotics based on lactic acid bacteria has been shown to prevent the occurrence of diarrhea during piglet weaning. The antagonistic activity of postbiotics (inanimate bacteria, cell components, or post-fermentation by-products) from post-culture media after lactobacilli cultures has been proven on Staphylococcus aureus—the pathogen most often responsible for causing mastitis among dairy cows. The article aims to present the latest research examining the antagonistic effect of lactic acid bacteria on the most common pathogens in broilers, piglets, pigs, and cow farms.