Study Identifies New Probiotic Candidate That May Improve Dairy Cow Milk Production
August 2026 – Researchers have identified a promising probiotic bacterium that could help improve dairy cow productivity while demonstrating a strong safety profile, according to a recent scientific study. The probiotic strain, Bacillus paralicheniformis TATVAM-FAB17, showed the potential to enhance milk yield and withstand the harsh conditions of the animal digestive system, making it a candidate for future livestock feed applications.
The findings suggest that the strain could contribute to improved animal performance, although researchers emphasize that larger commercial trials are required before widespread adoption.
Probiotic Isolated from Goat Rumen
The bacterial strain was isolated from the rumen of a goat (Capra hircus) and underwent extensive laboratory characterization to evaluate its suitability as a livestock probiotic.
Researchers found that the microorganism tolerated several gastrointestinal challenges, including acidic pH conditions, bile salts, lysozyme, high salt concentrations, and phenolic compounds. These characteristics indicate that the probiotic can survive passage through the digestive tract and remain active in the intestinal environment.
Safety Confirmed Through Laboratory and Animal Studies
The study included both in vitro and in vivo safety assessments.
Laboratory tests using Caco-2 and Vero cell lines showed no signs of cytotoxicity, while a 45-day oral safety study in rats receiving 10⁹ CFU per day found no adverse effects on body weight, feed intake, blood parameters, or the health of major organs.
Researchers concluded that the strain demonstrated a favorable safety profile for further investigation as a feed additive.
Pilot Trial Shows Improvement in Milk Yield
A small pilot feeding trial involving 12 dairy cattle evaluated the probiotic’s effect on milk production.
Animals receiving Bacillus paralicheniformis TATVAM-FAB17 as a dietary supplement produced an average increase of approximately 0.043 litres of milk per cow per day compared with the control group.
While the improvement was statistically significant, researchers noted that the study involved a limited number of animals and should be validated through larger multi-herd commercial trials before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Genome Analysis Supports Safety Assessment
Researchers also investigated the bacterium’s antibiotic resistance profile using whole-genome sequencing.
Although antimicrobial resistance genes were identified, they were not associated with mobile genetic elements or prophages, indicating a low likelihood of transfer to other microorganisms. This finding supports the strain’s potential suitability as a probiotic, though continued monitoring remains important.
Potential Applications in Animal Nutrition
The study highlights the growing role of probiotics in livestock nutrition as producers seek sustainable methods to improve animal health, feed efficiency, and milk production.
If future large-scale studies confirm these findings, Bacillus paralicheniformis TATVAM-FAB17 could become a valuable probiotic ingredient for dairy cattle feed, supporting productivity while maintaining animal health.