Probiotic Potential and Antimicrobial Activity of Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Chicken Caecal and Fecal Samples

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2015-04-01
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Abu Hafsa, Salma
Mendonca, Aubrey
Brehm-Stecher, Byron
Hassan, A. A.
Ibrahim, S. A.
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Brehm-Stecher, Byron
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Food Science and Human Nutrition
Abstract

Enterococci are important inhabitants of the animal intestine and are widely used in probiotic products. A probiotic strain is expected to possess several desirable properties in order to exert beneficial effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to isolate, characterize and identify Enterococcus sp. from chicken cecal and fecal samples to determine potential probiotic properties. Enterococci were isolated from chicken ceca and feces of thirty three clinically healthy chickens from a local farm. In vitro studies were performed to assess antibacterial activity of the isolated LAB (using agar well diffusion and cell free supernatant broth technique against Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis), survival in acidic conditions, resistance to bile salts, and their survival during simulated gastric juice conditions at pH 2.5. Isolates were identified by biochemical carbohydrate fermentation patterns using an API 50 CHL kit and API ZYM kits and by sequenced 16S rDNA. An isolate belonging to E. faecium species exhibited inhibitory effect against S. enteritidis. This isolate producing a clear zone as large as 10.30 mm or greater and was able to grow in the coculture medium and at the same time, inhibited the growth S. enteritidis. In addition, E. faecium exhibited significant resistance under highly acidic conditions at pH 2.5 for 8 h and survived well in bile salt at 0.2% for 24 h and showing ability to survive in the presence of simulated gastric juice at pH 2.5. Based on these results, E. faecium isolate fulfills some of the criteria to be considered as a probiotic strain and therefore, could be used as a feed additive with good potential for controlling S. Enteritidis in chickens. However, in vivo studies are needed to determine the safety of the strain.

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This article is published as 5. Abu Hafsa, S.H., Mendonca, A., Brehm-Stecher, B., Hassan, A.A. and S.A. Ibrahim. Probiotic potential and antimicrobial activity of Enterococcus faecium isolated from chicken caecal and fecal samples. International Journal of Biological, Biomolecular, Agricultural, Food and Biotechnological Engineering 9(4): 350-54 (2015). Posted with permission.

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Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2015
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