July 7, 2017

Indonesian researchers develop 'indigenous' probiotics for poultry

Researchers from a university in Indonesia developed probiotics "originating from Indonesia" and are finding a way to mass-produce it.

Dr. Ir. Sri Harimurti, an Animal Sciences professor at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, who led the team of researchers, said they had found that over 20 poultry strains of lactate acid bacteria originating from Indonesia consists of three strains that are considered the best. These are Lactobacillus murinus Ar3, Streptococcus thermophilus Kd2 and Pediococcus acidilactici Kp6, each at the same time acting as anti-diarrhea in chicken, a news release from UGM said.

"Probiotics have the potential to increase chicken's resistance to Salmonella Pullorum infection and can trigger growth", the 67-year-old lady professor said.

Probiotics serve as alternative to antibiotics for poultry as they are good bacteria in the intestines and, thus, maintain the health of the chicken's digestion. They also trigger growth, hence produce good, healthy eggs and meat that are free from residual antibiotics, according to Sri Harimurti.

Sri Harimurti said their findings have been applied in poultry, such as broiler, quail and ostrich, adding that the lactate acid probiotics have been encapsulated into powder that is protected in maltodextrin and skimmed milk.

"The micro-capsule can also improve the performance of broiler's immune system and keeps the digestion healthy", she said.

She added that the probiotics will be tested by poultry breeders and developed further at industrial scale. "Before being mass-produced, the probiotics will be tested in a pilot plant by breeders", she said.