Probiotics could represent an effective alternative to the use of synthetic substances in nutrition and medicine. The data concerning the efficacy of probiotics are often contradictory. This paper focuses on the enhancement of the efficacy of probiotics by their combination with synergistically acting components of natural origin. Maltodextrins can be obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of starch and are suitable for consumption. Administration of Lactobacillus paracasei together with maltodextrin decreased the number of Escherichia coli colonising the jejunal mucosa of gnotobiotic piglets by 1 logarithm compared to the control group. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are naturally occurring oligosaccharides, mainly of plant origin. L. paracasei administered in combination with FOS significantly increased counts of Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., total anaerobes and total aerobes compared to the control group as well as the L. paracasei group. It also significantly decreased Clostridium and Enterobacterium counts in the faeces of the weanling piglets compared with the control group. Dietary lipids influence the gastrointestinal microbiota and specifically the population of lactic acid bacteria. In gnotobiotic piglets the oral administration of an oil containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) significantly increased the number of L. paracasei adhering to jejunal mucosa compared to the control group. Our results showed that maltodextrin KMS X-70 and PUFA can be used to enhance the effect of probiotic micro-organisms in the small intestine, and similarly FOS enhance the effect of probiotic micro-organisms in the large intestine.Probiotics: Maltodextrin: Fructo-oligosaccharides: Polyunsaturated fatty acids

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Abstract:The protection of human health as well as the quality and safe food assurance becomes the priority of European research in the sphere of animal production. The negative experiences with the using of antibiotic growth promoters lead to subsequent reduction of their application. It is necessary to replace them by the growth promoters of natural origin, which are able to provide the comparable efficacy and will not contribute to the cumulative contamination of the environment. The probiotics represent an effective alternative to antibiotics and current research should be aimed at improving of their efficacy. This may be achieved by several methods. From the practical point of view, combination with synergistically acting components of natural origin seems to be the best way. Potentiated probiotics are defined as biopreparations containing production strains of microorganisms and synergistically acting components of natural origin which exert their intensified effect through effects on probiotic and gut microorganisms, the gut mucosa and the intestinal environment or immune system. A number of suitable components may be used for this purpose, such as prebiotics, non-specific substrates, plants and their extracts, metabolites of microorganisms and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this report, the results of application of natural feed additives in animals are reviewed and their valuation for the enhancement of probiotic effectiveness is discussed.

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The influence of daily orally administered crude extract of bacteriocin-like substance (at a concentration of 3200 AU/ml) produced by Enterococcus faecium EF55 on the total counts of lactobacilli, staphylococci, enterococci and E. coli in the faeces and caecum of 3-day-old Japanese quails was investigated. Enterococcus faecium EF55 was isolated from the crop content of a chicken (Gallus domesticus). The inhibitory activity of bacteriocin-like substance (BLIS) produced by the strain EF55 was assayed by the agar spot test using Gram-positive and Gramnegative indicator bacteria. A wide range of Gram-positive genera such as Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus and Aerococcus was susceptible to BLIS, but none of the Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial substance produced by the strain EF55 was thermo-resistant (30 min at 100 °C), stable at pH 4.0 to 9.0 at -20 °C, 4 °C and 22 °C for 10 d tested, and inactivated by proteolytic enzymes indicating its proteinaceous nature. After the first administration of bacteriocin crude extract (BCE) of EF55 strain to Japanese quails, a reduction amounting to 0.83-1.3 log cycles of E. coli, enterococci, staphylococci and lactobacilli in faeces was observed within 24 h. This inhibitory effect was most visible after first extract addition, later this difference was diminished. By agar spot test, BLIS produced by the strain EF55 of Ent. faecium was active against Staphylococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Enterococcus spp., isolates obtained from the experimental birds. However, no inhibition against E. coli was detected, despite of their decreased counts under in vivo conditions. Bacteriocin, Japanese quails, gastrointestinal microflora, effect

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