Effect of inulin and a probiotic supplement in the diet of pigs on selected traits of the gastrointestinal microbiome

Abstract

SummaryThe addition of inulin and/or a probiotic to feed mixtures for pigs can lead to changes in microflora composition and production of short-chain organic acids (SCFA) in the final segment of the digestive tract. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of an inulin and/or a probiotic supplement on Enterobacteriaceae taxa, the susceptibility of the bacteria to six antibiotics, and SCFA content in the cecum and colon, as well as changes in the histological structure of the intestines. The experiment was conducted on 80 fattening pigs with an initial body weight of 30.0 ± 0.5 kg, divided into 4 groups: control (I-C) and three experimental ones, fed the diets either with a probiotic (group II-P), inulin (III-I) or a both additives (group IV-PI). The animals were given ad libitum access to grower (30-70 kg) and finisher (71-115 kg) feed mixtures. During slaughter, from 8 pigs of each group, samples of contents and tissue from the cecum and colon were collected for laboratory analysis. The results of the study indicate differences in the expression of antibiotic resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae isolates depending on the type of dietary supplement. The inulin supplement caused changes in SCFA concentration, mainly an increase in the concentration of propionic and butyric acid, and also increased the thickness of the muscular layer.The synbiotic (mixture of prebiotics and probiotics) was confirmed to have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal microbiome, which may be of significance in preventing the spread of Enterobacteriaceae infections in pigs.

Effects of inulin supplementation to piglets in the suckling period on growth performance, postileal microbial and immunological traits in the suckling period and three weeks after weaning

“…As a prebiotic, inulin serves as a substrate for SCFA synthesis by different types of bacteria in the large intestine (Gibson et al 2004). However, dietary administration of inulin has been shown to have different effects on the SCFA profile in different studies (Loh et al 2006;Eberhard et al 2007;Varley et al 2010;Hansen et al 2011;Paßlack et al 2012;Barszcz et al 2016;Grela et al 2016). In our study, there was no change in the fermentation pattern of SCFA induced by inulin supplementation during the suckling period based on the digesta dry matter.…”

Dietary Inulin and Trichuris suis Infection Promote Beneficial Bacteria Throughout the Porcine Gut

“…These bacteria can be regarded as beneficial bacteria due to their SCFA producing properties, and they may protect the host from mucosal inflammation (Kostic et al, 2014). However, the effects of dietary inulin in pigs are less well-defined but studies indicate that inulin provides protection against pathogens, improves growth and feed efficiency and intestinal microbiota modulation (Grela et al, 2016;Metzler-Zebeli et al, 2017;McCormack et al, 2019). Inulin increases bacterial diversity and relative abundance of Clostridiaceae, and lowers the relative abundances of Escherichia, indicating a potential beneficial effect (Sattler et al, 2014).…”

Efficacy and safety assessment of microbiological feed additive for chicken broilers in tolerance studies

“…Probiotics can primarily be used to protect against bacterial pathogens, which is of great importance in large-scale rearing, where animals are exposed to stressful conditions and, for that reason, are more susceptible to infections (15). Colonisation of animals' intestines by potentially pathogenic bacterial strains can be limited by competition with indigenous intestinal flora, mainly lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (8).…”