Probiotici sporigeni per l'alimentazione animale

Probiotics are used in animal feeding in order to increase zootechnical performances, such as average daily gain, feed conversion rate, quality of animal products, animal health. Bacterial spore formers, mostly of the genus Bacillus, are very promising for a use as probiotics in animal production. Positive effects of Bacillus spp. administration have been observed, but at present their action is not completely understood. Various hypothesis have been made to explain what happens to ingested spores. Different probiotic mechanisms have been proposed: production of organic acids (SFLAB) or bacteriocins, mucosal adhesion, immunostimulation of GALT. This review suggests the possible use of spore forming bacteria as probiotics in animal production. General information about available spore forming probiotics is given; in particular our attention was focused on B. coagulans. This microorganism is not already commercialized in European Union as additive in animal feeding, but it is already used as human probiotic. Several studies performed on poultry, pigs and calves have shown positive results, suggesting its use for the improvement of zootechnical performances.