Coarse structured feed stimulates members of the genera 'Lactobacillus' and 'Mitsuokella' as well as propionate and butyrate producers in the pig stomach

Abstract

Pigs in four groups were fed fine non-pelleted (F-NP), fine pelleted (F-P), coarse non-pelleted (C-NP) or coarse pelleted (C-P) diets. DNA fingerprints, T-RFLP, revealed a strong dietary effect on bacterial community structure in the stomachs. Pigs fed the C-NP diet had the highest microbial diversity in stomach and the T-RFLP fingerprints suggested that bacteria tentatively identified as 'Lactobacillus delbrueckii', 'L. mucosae', 'L. reuteri', 'L. amylovorus'/'L. sobrius', 'Mitsuokella multiacida' and 'Megasphera elsdenii' were specifically stimulated. Lactobacilli may be responsible for the previously reported increase in stomach lactate levels of pigs fed the C-NP diet [Mikkelsen, L.L., Naughton, P.J., Hedemann, M.S., Jensen, B.B., 2004. Effects of physical properties of feed on microbial ecology and survival of 'Salmonella enterica' serovar Typhimurium in the pig gastrointestinal tract. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70, 3485–3492.]. Moreover, earlier observations of butyrate and propionate accumulation in the stomach of pigs fed C-NP diets could be due to stimulation of 'M. elsdenii' and 'S. ruminantium' according to the T-RFLP fingerprints.