The objective of this work was to select strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus to be used as a probiotic in calves.Strainsof Lactobacillus acidophilus (12) were isolated from calves feces and selected according to their acidifying capacities, resistance to hydrochloridric acid, lysozyme, phenol, biliary salt, antibiotics used in the calves productions, capacities of growing in ruminal liquid, and their capacities to inhibit a strain of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in vitro. The isolates were classed as slower in lactic acid production. In test of resistance to hydrochloridria acid (pH 2.0 and 3.0), lysozyme, phenol and biliary salt, tested antibiotics and ruminal liquid, the isolates LT 158A and LT 516 behaved in accordance with the means of the other isolates. In the inhibition test with Escherichia coli, the isolates LT 158A and LT 516 were very efficient, producing an 18-mm halo of diameter. The isolates LT 158A and LT 516 showed the best performance to be used as probiotics for calves.
calf; Lactobacillus acidophilus; probiotic
