Combined effect of metabolites produced by a modified Lactobacillus casei and berry phenolic extract on Campylobacter and microbiome in chicken cecum contents

Abstract

AbstractCampylobacter is one of the most common foodborne bacterial pathogens causing illness, known as campylobacteriosis, in the United States. More than 70% of the campylobacteriosis cases have direct or indirect relation with poultry/poultry products. Currently, both conventional and organic/pasture poultry farmers are searching for sustainable alternative to antibiotics which can reduce colonization and cross‐contamination of poultry products with Campylobacter and promote poultry health and growth. Probiotic and their nutritional supplement, known as prebiotic, have become consumers’ preferences as alternatives to antibiotics/chemicals. In this study, we evaluated the combined effect of plant‐derived prebiotic and probiotic‐derived metabolites in reducing growth of Campylobacter in cecum contents, a simulated chicken gut condition. Cecum contents were collected from chickens pre‐inoculated with kanamycin‐resistant Campylobacter (CJRMKm), were incubated over 48 h time period, while being supplemented with either berry phenolic extract (BPE), cell free cultural supernatant from an engineered probiotic, Lactobacillus casei, or their combination. It was found that combine treatments were able to reduce both inoculated and naturally colonized Campylobacter more effectively. Microbiome analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing also revealed that combine treatments were capable to alter natural microflora positively within chicken cecum contents. Differences were observed in bacterial abundance at both phylum and genus level but did not show significant alteration in alpha diversity due to this treatment.Practical ApplicationThe results of this study provide critical information for understanding the potential of synbiotic as an alternative in sustainable poultry farming. The outcomes of this study will lead future direction of using combination of probiotic‐derived metabolites and BPE in poultry farming.