Modulation of gut microflora of broilers by microbially produced dextran and levan exopolysaccharides

In the research work presented in this manuscript, we have used two types of prebiotic exoploysaccharides (EPSs: dextran and levan) produced by bacteria, isolated from camel gut and plant rhizosphere, for the modulation of microbial populations in the gut of broiler chicken. We found that both of these EPSs, when fed to the birds along with feed, inhibited the growth of Salmonella in the small intestine of broilers. Additionally, dextran and levan inhibited the growth of E. coli and Enterococcus, respectively. Also, these EPSs were found to enhance the populations of lactic acid bacteria in the intestine of prebiotic fed birds as compared to controls.