Biomin has revealed how denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) can overcome the limitations of culture-dependent techniques when exploring intestinal microflora.
One of the most complex microbial ecosystems that exists in our world is found within humans and all animals, namely in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The important role of gastrointestinal microflora in health and disease of animals and humans is increasingly recognised, which makes it interesting for scientists but also animal nutritionists and veterinarians to explore and understand the interplay between microbes and host in order to develop strategies on how to protect animals from enteric diseases and to improve efficiency in economic livestock farming.
We are far from a vast understanding of the intestinal composition of bacteria due to limitations of analysis methods like culture-dependent techniques.
These limitations can be overcome by the use of molecular methods like DGGE.
The composition of the intestinal microflora is largely dependent on type of nutrition and environment.
Natural feed additives like pro- and prebiotics do not only influence performance standards of farm animals but have also a positive impact on the composition of the microbial population in the gastrointestinal tract, therefore protecting young animals against colonisation by harmful bacteria.
DGGE is a powerful tool to investigate the effect of feed additives such as probiotics and prebiotics on the GI microbiota and therefore obtain a better understanding how to manage the microbial communities in the gut of our animals by nutritional means for better health and improved performance.
