Rosell Probiotic Challenge awarded to J.F. Daudelin for his work on the effects of Bactocell and Levucell SB in the prevention of enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in piglets post-weaning

Jean-François Daudelin received the first prize of the Rosell Probiotic Challenge for his study concerning the effects of Bactocell® and Levucell® SB administration on F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in piglets post-weaning ¹. The young scientist had the opportunity to give a presentation of his study during the 5th International Symposium on Probiotics ‘’Cross Talk Now!”, organized by INITIA in Quebec City, November 6-7th. A Second Prize was awarded to Stéphanie-Anne Girard for her work on the potential of probiotics on mechanisms involved in post-myocardial infarction depression ². Today, probiotics are gaining momentum in animal and human health and nutrition, and this is linked to the strong and growing body of evidence of their efficacy and modes of action. Both winning entries of this year’s Rosell Probiotic Challenge were mechanistic studies in different fields of applications. Rosell Probiotic Challenge is organized by Institut Rosell- Lallemand, part of Lallemand’s Human Health and Nutrition Division.

Jean-François Daudelin is conducting his Master’s Thesis under the supervision of Martin Lessard from Agriculture Canada (Sherbrooke), John M. Fairbrother and Eric Nadeau (Université de Montréal). His project looked into the modes of action of probiotics in preventing F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) infection in piglets post-weaning. It appears that the administration from birth of P. acidilactici (Bactocell) in combination with S. boulardii (Levucell SB) limits the attachment of the pathogen to the gut mucosa, a key step of ETEC infectiveness. Probiotics also stimulate the synthesis of compounds implicated in the body’s defense against the pathogen, Interleukin-6 and β-defensin 2. Moreover, the administration of Bactocell alone tends to reduce the clinical signs of diarrhea in piglets challenged with ETEC. It as concluded that the use of Bactocell, either alone or in combination with Levucell SB, was a promising alternative in the prevention of F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli infection in piglets.

Piglets diarrhea post-weaning is an important financial burden for pig farmers, with F4+ enterotoxigenic E. coli a major cause of infection. Antibiotics are used as both a preventive and therapeutic measure. The massive use of antibiotics in animal production has been implicated in the emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogens, a growing public health concern. For this reason, certain regulatory bodies such as the European Commission have banned their continuous use in animal feed, and the search for natural alternatives is an important strategy.

Dr Wendy Dahl, Assistant Professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition at University of Florida, and a member of the jury, commented: “We were impressed by the quality of the work submitted, and we wish to thank all the young researchers for their participation. The quality of the science but also the diversity of the fields of investigations regarding probiotics applications demonstrate that probiotic research is a dynamic field with great potential for new applications in human as well as animal health.”

Open to university students in North and South America, Rosell’s Probiotic Challenge aims to encourage awareness and education regarding probiotics, in the continuation of Institut Rosell founders’ commitment to pioneer and promote probiotic applications. Young researchers were assessed by a scientific jury for the quality of their works.

^1. J.-F. Daudelin, M. Lessard, F. Beaudoin, E. Nadeau, N. Bissonette and J. M. Fairbrother Probiopiotcs administration affects the attachment of F4-positive enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and cytokines expression in the ileum of weaned piglets.

^2. S.-A. Girard, I. Rondeau, R. Godbout and G. Rousseau Probiotics diminish apoptosis in the limbic system after a myocardial infarction.

About Lallemand

Lallemand, Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specialized in yeast, bacteria and yeast derivatives, for animal nutrition, baking, winemaking and pharmaceutical industries. Lallemand is the only major supplier of yeast and bacteria that is a primary producer of both.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition is dedicated to the development, production, and marketing of profitable, natural and differentiated solutions for animal nutrition and health. Our core products are live bacteria for probiotics and silage inoculants, specific yeast for probiotics, and high value yeast derivatives.

Lallemand is a major supplier of probiotics and silage inoculants in Europe, North America and Africa. We also have a growing presence in Asia and South America.

About Institut Rosell

Institut Rosell has been part of the Lallemand Group since 1998. Today, it is part of Lallemand’s Human Health and Nutrition Division and is dedicated to the selection, development, production and marketing of probiotic formulations for the food supplements and pharmaceutical industries. With extensive experience in the culturing and production of live microorganisms since 1932, the company conducts advanced research programs aimed at better understanding the properties, functions and beneficial effects of these probiotic formulations on health.