Protective Effect of Potential Probiotic Strains from Fermented Ethiopian Food against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in Mice

Salmonella is one of the most harmful pathogens responsible for foodborne outbreaks, illnesses and deaths. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potentially probiotic strains against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in mice. The compatibility test among the selected potential probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum K132, Lactobacillus paracasei K114 and Lactococcus lactis E124) using the cross-streaking method showed the absence of antagonism. The anti-Salmonella activities of coculture of the isolated potential probiotics in the form of mixed or single culture showed a remarkable anti-Salmonella activity with 96.50 to 100% growth inhibition. The combination of strains, which showed the highest growth inhibition rates against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, was used to test their effect on the colonization of mice by Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. White albino male mice were pretreated with the mixed potential probiotics for 7 days and infected with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 for 1 day. A total of 3 treatments were applied, during which the negative control group was treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); a positive control group (typ) was challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 alone. The treated group (pro-typ) was pretreated with mixed potential probiotic culture and then infected with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. The survival rate of mice and counts of Salmonella in feces were recorded. The survival rate of mice on day 21 after the oral challenge with Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the experimental pro-typ group (100% survival) compared with the positive control group (20% survival). The counts (colony-forming unit per ml) of Salmonella in feces were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the pro-typ group compared to the typ group. The combination of potential probiotic strains was able to protect mice against Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 infection that demonstrates their potential to be used as probiotic cultures for the production of functional fermented products.