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Abstract
This study served to isolate host-associated, poultry-derived Lactobacillus spp. from production broilers for use as probiotics within the poultry industry. 100 isolates from this study identified 60 Enterococcus spp. and 40 Lactobacillus spp. using 16S rRNA sequencing, while WGS subsequently identified 8 L. salivarius, 2 L. johnsonii, 4 E. faecium, 3 E. faecium, and 1 E. hirae. Lactobacillus spp. isolated in this study were assessed for putative bacteriocin-producing genes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, and plasmids. Lactobacillus strains contained a variety of bacteriocin-producing genes (bacteriocins, salivaricins, enterolysins, nisin, pediocins, and the MR10B gene) and AMR genes (Lincosamide, Streptogramin B, and Tetracycline resistance). Strains contained no plasmids. Five Lactobacillus strains were challenged with six poultry-associated pathogens, with L. salivarius showing the greatest results. Overall, Lactobacillus strains isolated in this study showed promising characteristics for use as host-associated, poultry-derived probiotics to increase food safety of final products (i.e., poultry products) in the future.