Antagonist effect of postbiotics derived from native probiotics of the lesser rhea (Rhea pennata) against Escherichia coli associated with enteric processes

Sullca A.C.; Fernandez Ruelas E.P.; Moreno Terrazas E.G. · Revista de Investigaciones Veterinarias del Peru (2026) · DOI: 10.15381/rivep.v36i6.30057

Resumen

This study evaluated the in vitro antagonistic activity of postbiotics derived from native probiotics of the rhea (Rhea pennata) against Escherichia coli associated with bacterial enteritis in rheas. The isolated probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus, Bacillus rugosus, and Pichia ethanolica were obtained from 30 faecal samples of apparently healthy captive rheas. The isolated probiotics were cultured in a 5% molasses solution to obtain the postbiotics. The inhibition test was performed using the Mueller-Hinton diffusion method on agar, employing wells drilled in the medium containing E. coli culture and inoculating 50 μL of the postbiotics filtered through membranes with 0.22 μm pores, obtained from both individual cultures and combinations of two and three probiotic strains. The inhibitory halos of E. coli growth were measured after incubation at 39 °C for 48 hours. The postbiotics obtained from the individual Lacticaseibacillus culture (12.11 mm) and the mixture with Pichia ethanolica (12.33 mm) showed the greatest inhibition against E. coli. The results indicate that postbiotics derived from native rheas probiotics represent a promising alternative for controlling bacterial enteric infections in this species.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional del Altiplano