Effect of Agroindustrial Waste Substrate Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria and Yeast on Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Guinea Pigs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of probiotics obtained from an agroindustrial waste substrate fermented with lactic acid bacteria and/or yeasts on the health and changes in the microbiota of the digestive tract of guinea pigs. Eighty male guinea pigs, Kuri breed, 30 days old and 250 g live weight, were randomly selected and divided into four groups of 20 animals each: T0, control; T1, Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. bulgaricus; T2, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces fragilis; and T3. L. acidophilus, L. bulgariccus, S. cerevisiae and K. fragilis. T1, T2 and T3 contained molasses-vinasse substrate in their base, the dose administered was 1.00 mL/animal orally every 3 days. The indicators evaluated were weight gain, occurrence of diarrhea and mortality, macroscopic lesions in the digestive tract organs and changes in the microbiota of the stomach, caecum, small and large intestine. Treatments T1, T2 and T3 improved weight gain (p < 0.05) and reduced the presence of guinea pigs with diarrhea (p < 0.05) and there was no mortality; animals in the control group presented a greater amount (p < 0.05) of macroscopic lesions in the digestive tract organs; in the T1, T2 and T3 groups there was an improvement in the natural microbiota. It is concluded that the inclusion of a microbial additive in young guinea pigs improves intestinal health and consequently improves weight gain, reduces diarrhea and deaths and normalizes the natural microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract.