Lactic Acid Bacteria from Bombyx mori Frass: Probiotic Properties and Antagonistic Activities

Siripuk Suraporn, Sopa Cansee, Sebastian Hupfauf and Thomas Klammsteiner ()
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Siripuk Suraporn: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 41150, Thailand
Sopa Cansee: Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham 41150, Thailand
Sebastian Hupfauf: Department of Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Thomas Klammsteiner: Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Insect farming is gaining attention as a promising area for exploring probiotic bacteria, which can benefit both insect health and various industries. Silkworm farming is a key industry in Thailand; however, challenges such as disease susceptibility and optimising growth require innovative solutions for sustainable practices. Our study addresses this by assessing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in native Thai silkworm faeces, which accumulate as natural by-products during the rearing process. We conducted biochemical tests, including those for catalase, haemolytic activity, bile salt tolerance, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility, and cell surface hydrophobicity, along with taxonomic classification. Out of 102 isolates, eight potential probiotics were selected, with five showing strong probiotic traits like acid and bile salt tolerance and cell surface hydrophobicity, enhancing gut survivability. These isolates also displayed antagonistic activity against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus , Salmonella typhimurium , Escherichia coli , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Safety assessments confirmed their safety, with no haemolytic activity and sensitivity to antibiotics like chloramphenicol and amoxicillin. These LAB isolates (SP04, SP06, SP44, SP64, and SP67), identified as Enterococcus faecalis strain NBRC 100481, show promise as in vitro probiotics for silkworm rearing, calling for further in vivo evaluation.

Keywords: rearing optimisation; alternative protein source; insect biotechnology; artificial diet; entomophagy; lactic acid bacteria; lactobacillus characteristics; probiotics; sericulture; microbial ecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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