Identification and characterization of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from pig feces at various production stages.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated, identified, and characterized from pig feces at various growth stages and feed rations in order to be used as probiotic feed additives. Lactic acid bacteria numbers ranged from 7.10 ± 1.50 to 9.40 log CFUs/g for growing and lactating pigs, respectively. Isolates (n = 230) were identified by (GTG)5-polymerase chain reaction and partial sequence analysis of 16S rRNA. Major LAB populations were Limosilactobacillus reuteri (49.2%), Pediococcus pentosaceus (20%), Lactobacillus amylovorus (11.4%), and L. johnsonii (8.7%). In-vitro assays were performed, including surface characterization and tolerance to acid and bile salts. Several lactobacilli exhibited hydrophobic and aggregative characteristics and were able to withstand gastrointestinal tract conditions. In addition, lactobacilli showed starch- and phytate-degrading ability, as well as antagonistic activity against Gram-negative pathogens and the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances. When resistance or susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated, high phenotypic resistance to ampicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline and susceptibility towards clindamycin and chloramphenicol was observed in the assayed LAB. Genotypic characterization showed that 5 out of 15 resistance genes were identified in lactobacilli; their presence did not correlate with phenotypic traits. Genes erm(B), strA, strB, and aadE conferring resistance to erythromycin and streptomycin were reported among all lactobacilli, whereas tet(M) gene was harbored by L. reuteri and L. amylovorus strains. Based on these results, 6 probiotic LAB strains (L. reuteri F207R/G9R/B66R, L. amylovorus G636T/S244T, and L. johnsonii S92R) can be selected to explore their potential as direct feed additives to promote swine health and replace antibiotics.