Establishment in the piglet gut of lactobacilli capable of degrading mixed-linked beta-glucans.

The establishment in piglets of lactobacilli with ability to degrade mixed-linked (1----3), (1----4) beta-D-glucans was studied in faeces from 15 animals. The piglets had free access to creep feed with an estimated content of 2% beta-D-glucans from 5 days of age. On days 3 and 35, ca log 8 cfu/g of beta-glucan-degrading lactobacilli were found in a majority of the samples. On days 7, 14 and 21 such bacteria were only found occasionally. During establishment of the microflora in the neonate, the faecal lactobacilli of the piglet seemed related to those of the sow. Later, the metabolic activity of the lactobacilli in piglet faeces showed a connection to the composition of the diet. The possible relation of these bacteria to occurrence of beta-glucanases attributed to be endogenous in the pig is discussed.