Probiotics, Nutrition and Microbes

Abstract 

Statement of the Problem: Arid and semi-arid regions represent one third of the total area of the world including Australia, the southwest of the United States and northwest of Mexico. Probiotics able to survive in these conditions are important to maintain the health of humans and animals inhabiting the isolated arid coasts. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) include strains from different genera that colonize mammals, birds, and marine animals and are broadly used as probiotic. The aim of this research was to perform a screening and selection of LAB with probiotic potential from faces and intestinal mucus of humans and organisms important for aquaculture and animal production in the northwest of Mexico, an arid coast. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Fecal and gastrointestinal mucus samples were collected of at least 10 subjects of humans, piglets, goats, calves, fish, shrimps, oysters and sea cucumber. Viable counts of LAB were performed and predominant bacteria were isolated and assayed for their ability to adhere gastrointestinal mucus from the respective host. Adhering bacteria were genetically identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Findings: Results of viable counts showed an average of 7.0 and 4.0 log CFU/g of LAB in land and marine animals respectively. Isolates of predominant LAB in all species resulted in 1,031strains and 59% of them presented the ability to bind gastrointestinal mucus. LAB with high ability to bind mucus and more frequently isolated were Lactobacillus fermentum, L. Plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, L. Reuteri and L. Salivarius. Conclusion & Significance: These results indicated a rich source of potential probiotics that resist adverse environmental conditions and colonize the intestinal tract of organisms inhabiting isolated arid coasts.