Prophylactic efficacy and safety evaluation of locally isolated strain Levilactobacillus brevis (MF179529), commercial probiotics and yeast: A comparison

Aims: To anticipate the ban on antibiotic growth promoters in poultry researchers are trying to find safe alternatives from natural resources. The probiotics of Lactobacillus genus are among the promising candidates. The efficacy of probiotics is considered species, strain and source specific. In this study Levilactobacillus brevis, MF179529 comparison was performed with commercial probiotic and yeast. Methods and results: This study provides a comparison of safety and prophylactic efficiency of (i) locally isolated potential probiotic strain, L. brevis, MF179529, (ii) commercial probiotics, Floramix plus , (iii) yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and (iv) their two combinations on limiting avian pathogenic E . coli (APEC) induced colibacillosis in chicken. All probiotics inhibited infection induced anemia but results were more pronounced in groups I. Birds of group I displayed significantly ( p < 0.05) higher general health scores, lower mortality and tissue bacterial load. APEC infection leads to reduction in relative weight of spleen. However, all probiotic treated groups displayed relatively normal spleen weight. Conclusion: Animals receiving L. brevis MF179529 displayed lower blood cholesterol ( p < 0.05), which might be considered a favorable characteristic of meat quality. No adverse effects were observed in other hematological and serological parameters. Significance of study: L. brevis MF179529 and its combination with commercial probiotics is a better and safe alternative of antibiotic growth promoters in poultry.