Development of probiotic product for non-human mammals using natural isolates of lactic acid bacteria

Principal Investigator: dr Amarela Terzic Vidojevic

Implementing Agency: Veterinary station „Koker“, Adasevci

The introduction of beneficial microorganisms through the food has a positive effect on the health of humans and animals. While the use of probiotics for humans is widespread, the use of probiotics in livestock production is negligible. The increased interest in the use of probiotics in livestock was driven by tighter European regulations on the use of antibiotics in livestock production. Therefore, probiotics are considered adequate alternative when it comes to intestinal infections in domestic animals, especially in the period from birth to weaning. Establishing good microflora colonization of lactic acid bacteria in the intestine immediately after birth, results in healthier animals. Therefore, during this project, novel probiotic product will be developed based on natural isolates of lactic acid bacteria. The project has the ultimate goal of producing a new innovative standardized probiotic product for non-human mammals, the first of its kind on the market, as an alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of intestinal infections of newborn animals. Development of a new probiotic product as parapharmaceutics, based on our own technology for starter cultures production, aims to improve animal health and reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock production. The production technology of the innovative product will be aligned with the main principles of HACCP and environmental requirements. The probiotic culture has been designed and tested in Laboratory for Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade and in farm trial, in Centre for Development and Production, Veterinary station “Koker”. The results of these tests showed that the product has strong probiotic potential based on immunomodulation and pathogen exclusion.