Enterococcus faecalis: a versatile probiotic for healthy animal growth

      In the microcosm of animal farming, Enterococcus faecalis acts as a versatile "helper", playing an important role in improving animal health and enhancing farming efficiency through its unique biological characteristics.
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1、 Optimize gut microbiota and safeguard digestive health

      Enterococcus faecalis is the "ecological balancer" in the animal intestine. After entering the intestine, it competes with harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella for nutrients and attachment sites, inhibiting their growth and reproduction. At the same time, Enterococcus faecalis can produce substances such as lactic acid and bacteriocins, lower the pH value of the intestine, create an acidic environment, further limit the survival of harmful bacteria, and create favorable conditions for the growth of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Research has shown that adding Enterococcus faecalis to piglet feed can reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the intestine by 30% -40%, significantly reduce the incidence of piglet diarrhea, and improve intestinal digestion function.
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2、 Enhance the body's immunity and improve disease resistance

      Enterococcus faecalis is also an "activator" of the animal immune system. It can stimulate the activity of intestinal immune cells, promote the secretion of immunoglobulin, and enhance the humoral and cellular immune functions of animals. When animals face environmental stress (such as high temperature, transportation, and refueling) or pathogen invasion, the immune system responds quickly and reduces the risk of disease. In broiler farming, the use of feed additives containing Enterococcus faecalis significantly increases the antibody levels of broiler chickens, enhances their resistance to common respiratory and intestinal diseases, and increases survival rates by 15% -20%.
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3、 Promote nutrient absorption and improve growth performance

      As a "nutrition booster", Enterococcus faecalis plays an indispensable role in the growth process of animals. It can secrete various digestive enzymes, such as protease, amylase, lipase, etc., to help animals break down protein, starch, and fat in feed and improve the digestion and absorption rate of nutrients. In aquaculture, feeding fish with feed containing added Enterococcus faecalis can increase the utilization rate of protein by 10% -15%, accelerate growth rate, shorten the breeding cycle, and improve the economic benefits of farmers. In addition, Enterococcus faecalis can synthesize vitamins (such as vitamin B) and amino acids, providing additional nutritional supplements for animals.
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4、 Improve the breeding environment and achieve green breeding

      In terms of environmental protection, Enterococcus faecalis can be called an "environmental optimization expert". It can reduce the content of harmful gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide in animal feces, improve the air quality of the breeding environment, reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases, and alleviate the pollution of the surrounding environment caused by breeding. For example, after using fecal enterococcus preparations in large-scale pig farms, the ammonia concentration in the pigsty decreased by 40% -50%, not only creating a more comfortable growth environment for pigs, but also in line with the development trend of green and sustainable breeding.
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5、 Actual application scenarios and product forms

      The application forms of Enterococcus faecalis in animal husbandry are diverse, commonly including feed additives, drinking water additives, and fermented feed materials. In livestock and poultry farming, powder containing Enterococcus faecalis can be directly added to feed or drinking water; During aquaculture, in addition to mixing materials, it can also be poured into the aquaculture water body to regulate water quality and aquatic animal intestinal health. However, due to the risk of drug resistance in some strains of Enterococcus faecalis, it is necessary to choose products that have undergone safety assessment and professional certification when using them, and to control the dosage and usage cycle reasonably. ​

      From intestinal health to breeding environment, Enterococcus faecalis, with its multidimensional role, has become an important helper in modern animal breeding to improve efficiency and ensure health. With the continuous deepening of research, its potential value will also be gradually explored, injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of the aquaculture industry. ​