Efficacy of Encapsulated Lactobacillus casei Probiotics as Anti Diarrheal Agent on Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of encapsulated Lactobacillus casei probiotics isolated from dadih (West Sumatra traditional yoghurt) against diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli. Total 30 male Sprague-dawley rats were divided into five groups (1) normal control rats, (2) infected rats, (3) normal rats with encapsulated probiotics, (4) infected rats with encapsulated probiotics, (5) infected rats with encapsulated probiotics given simultaneously. Rats were fed with standard diet and aquades ad libitum. Infected rats were challenged by E. coli (10 cfu/ml) for 7 days daily orally and then administered8 by 10 cfu/g probiotics for the next 7 days. On day 0, 3 and 7, total of fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and E. coli9 were evaluated. Feed intake, weight gain and food conversion efficiency (FCE) were also evaluated. At the end of treatment rats were sacrificed to observed goblet cells count obtained from ileum. It was observed that encapsulated Lactobacillus casei could increase FCE and total LAB. Encapsulated Lactobacillus casei also could reduce E. coli population and reduce total goblet cells on infected rats. Encapsulated Lactobacillus casei has potential effect as probiotics against E. coli on rats even it is not statistically different. Key words: Encapsulated probiotic, Lactobacillus casei, diarrhea, sprague dawle