Isolation and Selection of Potential Probiotic Bacteria from the Pig Gastrointestinal Tract

The present study aimed to isolate bacterial strains from the pig gastrointestinal tract that have antagonistic activity against potential pathogens and are able to produce antimicrobial compounds. That ability would be a first requirement for the strains’ possible use as probiotics. Samples obtained from pig intestinal mucosa and contents were screened for the presence of antagonistic activity against pathogenic indicator strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria by means of the double-layer technique. Samples displaying the largest inhibitory halos were further studied for the production of inhibitory substances using the agar diffusion and microtitration methods. The three most promising isolates were identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and showed highest affiliation to Lactobacillus salivarius. Optimal growth conditions and bacteriocin production were recorded in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth under anaerobic conditions at 37 °C. The antimicrobial substances were found to be sensitive to proteolytic enzymes but showed good stability at pH values below 6. Our findings suggest that these three intestinal strains are able to produce antimicrobial substances capable of inhibiting the growth of potential enteric pathogens and might have potential as probiotic feed additives for the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.