A utilização de bactérias do ácido láctico (LAB) como uma alternativa ao uso de antimicrobianos tem sido proposta para o controle da mastite bovina. No entanto, antes dessas aplicações, o efeito in vivo das LAB sobre a glândula deve ser cuidadosamente avaliado. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se a infusão intramamária de Weissella confusa e seus metabólitos em vacas afeta a contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e a contagem diferencial de leucócitos no leite. Vinte e quatro tetos de seis vacas Hartón del Valle foram selecionados para a pesquisa. Uma alíquota de 5mL de uma solução aquosa de células de W. confusa (W) (concentração 109u.f.c. mL-1), 5mL de células de W. confusa com seus metabólitos (W + W10b) ou 5mL de metabólitos (W10b) foi aplicada ao acaso em três tetos de cada vaca. O teto restante em cada úbere representou a unidade experimental de controle (C). Nos dias 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13 e 15 após infusão (PI), a CCS, o pH, a acidez titulável e a contagem diferencial de leucócitos no leite foram avaliadas. A aplicação das três substâncias biológicas produziu aumentos significativos na CCS, no pH e na contagem de neutrófilos polimorfonucleares. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre W e W+W10b. O W10b mostrou a menor alteração sobre as variáveis avaliadas. Os resultados sugerem que a aplicação de W. confusa e seus metabólitos afeta a CCS e a contagem diferencial de leucócitos no leite.

The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as an alternative to antimicrobial usage has been proposed for the control of bovine mastitis. However, before its application, the in vivo effects of the LAB on mammary gland must be carefully evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine whether the intramammary infusion of Weissella confusa and its metabolites in cows affects the somatic cell counts (SCCs) and milk differential leukocyte count. Twenty-four mammary quarters of six Hartón del Valle cows were selected for the investigation. A 5mL aliquot of an aqueous solution of W. confusa cells (W) (concentration of 109cfu mL-1), 5mL of W. confusa cells with its metabolites (W+W10b) or 5mL of metabolites (W10b) was randomly applied to three mammary quarters of each cow. The remaining teat on each udder represented the experimental control units (C). At 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13 and 15 days post-infusion (PI), the SCCs, pH, titrable acidity and milk differential leukocyte count were evaluated. The application of the three biological substances produced significant increases in SCCs, pH and polymorphonuclear neutrophil counts. No significant differences between W and W+W10b infusion were found. W10b resulted in a lesser alteration on the variables evaluated. The results suggest that the intramammary infusion of W. confusa and its metabolites affect the SCCs and milk differential leukocyte count in cows.

Con el fin evaluar el campo de aplicación potencial de una bacteria ácido láctica y de sus metabolitos, se realizó la cinética de la actividad antimicrobiana de W. confusa y de sus metabolitos contra E. coli, y K. pneumoniae, dos patógenos causantes de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos. La producción de W. confusa se realizó por fermentación discontinua en sustrato comercial MRS. Se realizaron tres fermentaciones durante 6 horas, sin aireación, agitación continúa 33°C y 100 rpm. Cada hora de fermentación se separaron tres sustancias biológicas, W. confusa con sus metabolitos (W+W10b), células de W. confusa libres de metabolitos (W) y metabolito (W10b) y se midió la actividad antimicrobiana contra los patógenos E. coli, y K. pneumoniae. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas significativas entre tratamientos y tiempo de fermentación. Para E. coli el tratamiento W presentó la mayor actividad antimicrobiana, la cual se obtuvo entre la cuarta y sexta hora de fermentación (2.45 cm de diámetro promedio de inhibición). Para K. pneumoniae, los tratamientos W y W+W10b presentaron actividad antimicrobiana entre la cuarta y quinta hora de fermentación, sin diferencia significativa entre ellos. W. confusa y el metabolito W10b demostraron poseer capacidad antimicrobiana contra E. coli y K. pneumoniae, lo cual sugiere que W. confusa y W10b podrían utilizarse como alternativa de bioconservación o bioprotección de alimentos frescos y procesados, para alimentación humana y animal; y podría convertirse en una alternativa al uso de antibióticos para enfermedades causadas por E. coli y K. pneumoniae.

The kinetic of antimicrobial activity of Weissella confusa and their metabolites against E. coli, and K. pneumoniae, (two pathogens causing foodborne illness) was evaluated, in order to know the possible use in food processing. W. confusa was produced by batch fermentation using MRS commercial substrate. Three fermentations, of 6 hours at 33 °C, without aeration, stirring continuously (100 rpm) were performed. Every hour of fermentation, three biological substances, W. confusa with their metabolites (W + W10b), W. confusa free cells metabolites (W), and metabolite (W10b) were separated, and subsequently the antimicrobial activity against pathogenic E. coli and K. pneumoniae was measured. Statistically significant differences between treatments and fermentation time were found. Treatment (W) against E. coli, showed the greatest antimicrobial activity, it was obtained between the fourth and sixth hours of fermentation (2.45 cm diameter average inhibition). In treatments W and W + W10b against K. pneumoniae, statistically significant differences between them were not found. The antimicrobial activity was shown between the fourth and fifth hour of fermentation. W. confusa and W10b have antimicrobial activity against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, suggesting that W and W10b could be used as an alternative to biopreservation or bioprotection of fresh and processed food for human and animal consumption, and could become an alternative to antibiotics used for diseases caused by E. coli and K. pneumoniae.