Phenotypic and genomic characterization of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria with probiotic and biotechnological potential for pathogen control in animal production

Author(s):Show less -

de Azevedo, Pamela Oliveira de Souza ; Oliveira, Mauro de Medeiros ; Kuniyoshi, Tais Mayumi ; Matajira, Carlos Emilio Cabrera ; Frota, Elionio Galvao ; Dias, Meriellen ; Bermudez-Puga, Sebastian Armando ; Pessoa, Amanda Romana Santos ; Piazentin, Anna Carolina Meireles ; Mendonca, Carlos Miguel Nobrega ; Pereira, Wellison Amorim ; Converti, Attilio ; Dominguez, Jose Manuel ; Gierus, Martin ; Varani, Alessandro M. ; Oliveira, Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEW BIOTECHNOLOGY; v. 88, p. 18-pg., 2025-05-13.

Abstract

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has raised significant concerns in the poultry industry, driving the search for alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed. Probiotics, particularly those belonging to the Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) group, represent a promising solution by mitigating the risk of infectious disease. However, a uniform concentration of probiotic LAB is not suitable for feed additives due to varying growth kinetics. Additionally, the genomic and physiological profiles of the LAB strains involved must be thoroughly evaluated. In this study, we provide an analytical framework to comprehensively assess LAB as potential antibiotic alternatives in poultry farming. Three LAB strains-Pediococcus pentosaceus (isolated from corn silage), Ligilactobacillus salivarius (from the poultry gut) and Lactococcus lactis (from the gut of rainbow trout)-were sequenced and characterized, with a focus on evaluating their probiotic potential and safety at the genomic level. The analyses included co-culturing LAB with pathogens, assessing viable cells, and determining the minimum inhibitory concentration of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS). In addition to demon-strating effective antimicrobial activity against avian pathogens (Salmonella spp., Clostridium spp. and Campylobacter coli), the results revealed notable probiotic traits in all three LAB strains, such as tolerance to bile salts and acidic environment and adhesion to intestinal cells. In conclusion, our analytical framework and results highlighted the potential of the tested LAB strains as biotechnological tools for developing zootechnical addi-tives. These probiotics show promise as viable alternatives to antibiotics for enhancing poultry health and productivity. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/06376-6 - Bioprospecting and application of a consortium of probiotic bacteriocinogenic bacteria in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochomis niloticus).
• Grantee: Elionio Galvão Frota
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/07556-3 - Bioprospecting of probiotic bacteria producing bacteriocins and vitamins: from culture optimization to the application in poultry production system
• Grantee: Pamela Oliveira de Souza de Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 22/02936-2 - Probiotics and bacteriocins in Nile Tilapia feeding: effects on growth performance, immunology and experimental infection
• Grantee: Sebastián Armando Bermúdez Puga
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/13271-6 - Production of bacteriocin-producing probiotic bacteria
• Grantee: Carlos Miguel Nóbrega Mendonça
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 23/04372-1 - Genomic analysis of bacteriocinogenic probiotic bacteria: taxonomic identification and characterization of genes related to the synthesis of bacteriocins
• Grantee: Mauro de Medeiros Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/09256-0 - Valorization of biomass residues in a biorefinery concept for Brazilian industry's circular economy transition
• Grantee: Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• FAPESP's process: 23/14986-7 - Development of Bioprocesses for the Production of Bacteriocinogenic and Vitamin-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria
• Grantee: Carlos Emilio Cabrera Matajira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 22/07543-9 - Evaluation of the biotechnological application of new bacteriocinogenic probiotic bacteria: effect on health, antimicrobial action and on the preservation of fish meat (Oreochromis niloticus)
• Grantee: Wellison Amorim Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/05677-0 - Screening of probiotic lactic acid bacteria that produce bacteriocins with potential antibacterial, antifungal and antimycotoxigenic for microbial additive
• Grantee: Taís Mayumi Kuniyoshi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 20/10676-5 - Selection of bacteriocinogenic probiotic strains
• Grantee: Rodrigo Cardoso de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/25511-1 - Bioprospecting of bacteriocin-producing bacteria: from culture optimization to the application in animal production systems
• Grantee: Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants