| Popis: |
Disturbances in the equine microbiota have been associated with metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders, which are common in part due to modern nutritional management practices, including limited grazing time, abrupt dietary changes, and high concentrate meal feeding. Dysbiosis may result in laminitis, colic, and other clinical situations. Several studies have examined the effects of spices and essential oils on the equine hindgut and demonstrated a potential to negatively affect pathogenic microorganisms. The objective of this research was to determine the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of DigestaWell® MFR, a novel blend of probiotics, prebiotics, spices, and essential oils on several bacterial strains found in the equine hindgut. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed to determine MIC of DisgestaWell MFR on strains of Streptococcus equi, Escherichia coli, Rhodococcus equi, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens isolated from clinical cases. Dilutions of DigestaWell MFR began at 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, and were subsequently diluted by 2 until the MIC was reached. Two ml of each dilution were added in 18 ml of culture medium, mixed, and poured into petri dishes, inocula was added and allowed to incubate for 24 h at 37Streptococcus equi and Rhodococcus equi, while MIC of E. coli and Salmonella occurred at 4,500 ppm. MIC of C. perfringens occurred at 6,000 ppm. The results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness of DigestaWell MFR to inhibit the proliferation of various bacterial pathogens that may increase incidences of equine metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders. Further research is required to directly evaluate the effects of this novel blend supplemented to horses undergoing these disturbances and the effects on equine gastrointestinal health. |
