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Abstract
Four probiotics were isolated to test in vitro growth at varying pH levels, in taurocholic acid, inhibition against S. Typhimurium, E. coli and C. perfringens and in vivo survival in the GI tract of horses. B. subtilis had significantly more growth than B. licheniformis at pH 3 (P<0.001). In bile, growth of L. agilis was significantly greater than B. subtilis, B. licheniformis and L. salivarius (P<0.0001). Isolates B. subtilis and L. salivarius were selected for in vitro inhibition due to better growth under both acidic and bile environments; inhibition by B. subtilis was significantly greater than L. salivarius (P<0.0001). Both B. subtilis and L. salivarius survived passage through the GI tract of horses with no significant differences among treatments. B. subtilis and L. salivarius can be considered as components in a potential equine probiotic to inhibit the growth of enteric bacteria associated with gastrointestinal illness in horses.