Use of Lactobacillus plantarum (strains 22F and 25F) and Pediococcus acidilactici (strain 72N) as replacements for antibiotic-growth promotants in pigs

Abstract

Lactobacillus plantarum (strains 22F and 25F) and Pediococcus acidilactici (strain 72N) have appeared promising in in vitro studies. Microencapsulation, especially by the spray-drying method, has been used to preserve their numbers and characteristics during storage and digestion. This study compared the efficacy of these LAB strains and their microencapsulated form with antibiotic usage on growth performance, faecal microbial counts, and intestinal morphology in nursing-finishing pigs. A total of 240 healthy neonatal pigs were treated on days 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 after cross-fostering. Sterile peptone water was delivered orally to the control and antibiotic groups. Six-month storage spray-dried Lactobacillus plantarum strain 22F was administered to piglets in the spraydry group. The three fresh strains of LAB (109 CFU/mL) were orally administered to piglets in each group. All pigs received the basal diets, but these were supplemented with routine antibiotic for the antibiotic group. Pigs in the probiotic supplemented groups (spray-dried and three fresh strains of LAB) exhibited a better average daily gain and feed conversion ratio than those of the controls in the nursery and grower phases. Probiotic supplementation increased viable lactobacilli and decreased enterobacterial counts. Antibiotic additives reduced both enterobacterial and lactobacilli counts. Villous height and villous height:crypt depth ratio were greater in probiotic and antibiotic supplemented pigs comparing to the controls, especially in the jejunum. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using these strains as a substitute for antibiotics and the practicality of the microencapsulation protocol for use in swine farms.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA‐5 and Bifidobacterium animalis BB‐12 in pectin and sodium alginate: A comparative study on viability, stability, and structure

“…Alginate is the major compound used for the microencapsulation of probiotics, mainly because of its safety, good gelling properties (temperature and pH), and biocompatibility. Alginate is degraded in low pH, allowing the release of probiotics in digestive conditions (Amine et al., 2014; Han et al., 2018; Martin et al., 2013; Pupa et al., 2021; Qi et al., 2020; Sánchez‐Portilla et al., 2020).…”

A meta-analysis of Lactobacillus-based probiotics for growth performance and intestinal morphology in piglets

“…However, due to the side effects (e.g., antibiotic resistance and environmental pollutants of its residues), the use of antibiotics has been restricted worldwide, which results in the urgent need to find alternative routes to manage animal health and maintain production efficiency (50,51). Lactobacillus species are one of the most commonly used probiotic agents in swine and are considered one such potent AGPs replacement (18,52,53). Therefore, this study systematically reviewed and performed a set of meta-analyses to determine the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus spp.…”

Los productos bióticos, definición y modo de acción

“…También la capacidad inmunomoduladora de los postbióticos en lechones se ha observado al incrementar la IgA en suero, efecto similar al mostrado con la administración de las bacterias vivas (Sukegawa et al, 2014). Por otro lado, se han reportado efectos benéficos en crecimiento de cerdos (Sato et al, 2019), aumento en las defensas del huésped contra infecciones virales (Arimori et al, 2012), efectos en engordas de cerdos como: mejor tasa de conversión, incremento en el conteo de lactobacilos y decremento en enterobacterias a nivel intestinal lo que demuestra su potencial como sustituto de antibióticos (Pupa et al, 2021).…”