Detection and molecular characterization of butyrate-producing genes in probiotic lactic acid bacteria for use in livestock

Abstract

Butyrate-producing gut microflora synthesizes and secretes butyrate which serves as source of energy and stimulates rumen development in young animals. The present study was undertaken to characterize and screen butyrate-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for probiotic use in animals in order to manipulate their gut flora for the benefit of host health and productivity. Twenty strains of LAB isolates from faeces of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were screened for probiotic potentials. The potential probiotic LAB were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Polymerase chain reaction was then used to detect the butyrate kinase (buk) gene in probiotic LAB strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the potential probiotic LAB as strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. reuteri, L. plantarum, L. helveticus and L. fermentum. Their probiotic potentials were demonstrated by their ability to tolerate low pH, bile acid and lysozyme. The PCR analysis revealed that gene encoding butyrate kinase is present in only Lactobacillus plantarum PLB5. The study revealed that these LAB strains could be developed into useful probiotics in improving the health, nutrient digestibility and growth performance of livestock, but only L. plantarum PLB5 possesses the ability to produce butyrate.

Keywords: Butyrate, probiotic, lactic acid bacteria, 16S rRNA, Polymerase chain reaction