Assessment of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the chicken digestive tract for potential use as poultry probiotics

Sirisopapong, Merisa; Shimosato, Takeshi; Okrathok, Supattra; Khempaka, Sutisa

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Anim Biosci > Accepted Articles

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.22.0455 [Accepted] Published online May 2, 2023.

Assessment of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the chicken digestive tract for potential use as poultry probiotics

Merisa Sirisopapong¹

, Takeshi Shimosato²

, Supattra Okrathok¹

, Sutisa Khempaka^1,*

¹School of Animal Technology and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand
²Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, 8304 Minamiminowa, Kamiina, Nagano 399-4598, Japan

Correspondence: Sutisa Khempaka, Tel: +66-816590650, Fax: +66-816590650, Email: khampaka@sut.ac.th

Received: 2 December 2022 • Revised: 7 February 2023 • Accepted: 20 March 2023

Abstract

Objective
The use of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in animal feed has received considerable attention in recent decades. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have remarkable functional properties promoting host health and are major microorganisms for probiotic purposes. The aim of this study was to characterize LAB strains of the chicken digestive tract and to determine their functional properties for further use as potential probiotics in poultry.
Methods
A total of 2,000 colonies were isolated from the ileum and cecal contents of the chickens based on their phenotypic profiles and followed by a preliminary detection for acid and bile tolerance. The selected 200 LAB isolates with exhibited well-tolerance in acid and bile conditions were then identified by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, followed by acid and bile tolerance, antimicrobial activity, adhesion to epithelial cells and additional characteristics on the removal of cholesterol. Then, the two probiotic strains (L. ingluviei and L. salivarious) which showed the most advantages in vitro testing were selected to assess their efficacy in broiler chickens.
Results
It was found that 200 LAB isolates that complied with all measurement criteria belonged to five strains, including L. acidophilus (63 colonies), L. ingluviei (2 colonies), L. reuteri (58 colonies), L. salivarius (72 colonies) and L. saerimneri (5 colonies). We found that the L. ingluviei and L. salivarius can increase the population of LAB and Bifidobacterium spp. while reducing Enterobacteria spp. and E. coli in the cecal content of chickens. Additionally, increased concentrations of valeric acid and SCFAs were also observed.
Conclusion
This study indicates that all five Lactobacillus strains isolated from gut contents of chickens are safe and possess probiotic properties, especially L. ingluviei and L. salivarius. Future studies should evaluate the potential for growth improvement in broilers.

Keywords: Chicken; Isolation; Lactic Acid Bacteria; Lactobacillus; Probiotic