Advances in the design of a multi-strain homologous probiotic formula for cattle

Abstract

Microorganisms colonizing different mucosas can exert diverse type of beneficial effects if they are included in probiotic formula. Then, the objective of this work was to complete the set of probiotic-related characteristics of different lactic acid bacteria strains previously isolated from different bovine mucosas to further include them in a probiotic product. The studies include some complementary assays related with their surface-adhesive characteristics (autoaggregation, biofilm formation, hydrophobicity, production of exopolisaccharides), production of inhibitory substances against pathogenic bacteria (hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins). Also, the strains compatibility to go further in the design of a multi?strain probiotic formula to be used either to pregnant cows through the vaginal tract (for metritis prevention), later to the newborn calves (for diarrhea prevention), and to the mammary gland of the cows (for mastitis prevention). The formula will be integrated by strains from the three bovine tracts, being host? specific and able to promote the mucosal colonization and the beneficial effect in different ages and physiological states of bovines.