Direct Fed Microbial- Application and Usage

Direct-fed microbials (DFM) were originally called probiotics until 1989 when the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) required manufacturers to use the term "direct-fed microbials." The FDA defines DFMs
as "a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms." FDA does not allow companies selling
DFM products to make therapeutic claims, which includes the following:
Establishing viable bacterial colonies in the gut
Affecting structure or function of the animal
Affecting growth or feed intake
Increasing milk production
Decreasing morbidity
Reducing number of sick days
The exception to these "claims" is the approval of a new animal drug application. Table 1 lists FDA and
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved microbial species for use in DFM
products.
DFM Categories
Bacillus - Unique, gram-positive rods that form spores. These spores are very stable and can withstand
environmental conditions such as heat, moisture, and a range of pH. These spores germinate into active
vegetative cells when ingested by the animal and can be used in meal and pelleted diets.
Lactic Acid Bacteria - Gram-positive cocci or rods that produce lactic acid, which are antagonistic to
pathogens. Since lactic acid bacteria appear to be somewhat heat-sensitive, they are not normally used in
pelleted diets. Types of lactic acid bacteria include:
Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus
Streptococcus
Yeasts - Not bacteria. These microorganisms belong to the plant group fungi. Six different types of dried yeast
products are defined by the AAFCO as ingredients for animal feeding (Table 2).
The concept of DFMs began in the 1950s when researchers observed a positive growth response in animals fed
antibiotics. This led scientists to theorize that intestinal microflora play an important role in the growth of
animals. Further research determined a healthy intestinal tract consists of microflora in a delicate balance
between two general types of microorganisms, beneficial and potentially pathogenic.
The coexistence of beneficial and potentially pathogenic bacteria is an important factor in the general health of
an animal. If this balance is upset, the number of beneficial bacteria could decline while the number of
potentially pathogenic bacteria could increase, compromising the animal's health and growth potential.
Feeding DFMs containing live, beneficial bacteria can help to maintain this balance, which may help optimize
animal health and growth performance.
Proposed DFM Modes of Action
Production of organic acids - DFMs have been found to produce a number of organic acids. The most
common are lactic, acetic, and formic acids, which inhibit intestinal pathogens. Organic acids also
serve as energy sources to the animal or other beneficial bacteria.
Production of antimicrobials - Research has reported certain strains of bacteria produce bacteriocins,
antibiotics, hydrogen peroxide, and other compounds that inhibit intestinal pathogens.

 Competitive exclusion - The basic idea behind competitive exclusion is that the beneficial DFM
organisms occupy the attachment sites that potentially pathogenic bacteria use and thereby prevent them
from colonizing the intestinal tract.
Stimulation of immune response - Research has reported that when animals are fed certain strains of
bacteria, the activity of their immune systems increases.
Enzyme activity - Beneficial bacteria, especially Bacillus, produce a variety of enzymes. Proteases,
amylases, lipases, and glycosidases are just a few of the enzymes which may be produced. This may
also explain improvements in feed efficiency that have been observed when certain DFMs are
fed. Bifidobacterium bifidum produces a DNA polymerase that has been reported to be important
in repairing damaged cells.
Reductions of toxic amines - Amines, produced by some intestinal microbes, are irritating and toxic,
and have been associated with diarrhea. Lactic acid bacteria have been found to reduce the level of
amines in the gut and to neutralize enterotoxins.
DFM Forms and Usage
DFMs are available in a variety of product forms including powder, paste, gel, bolus, and capsules. They may
be mixed in feed, top-dressed, given as a paste, or mixed into the drinking water or milk replacer. Usage
directions vary from single-dose to continuous feeding.
A number of DFM products are currently available. Most DFMs containlive bacteria; however, some contain
only bacterial or fungal extracts or fermentation byproducts. According to AAFCO, "fermentation product"
indicates the product contains microbial cells, while "fermentation extract" indicates the product contains
enzymes extracted from a microbial fermentation (cells are not contained in the product).
The effectiveness of DFMs depends on when they are used. The addition of DFMs to an animal's diet can
assist in the replenishment of beneficial bacteria, resulting in a quicker return to balanced intestinal microflora.
The best response can be observed during the following situations:
When young - Normally, a newborn animal must acquire beneficial bacteria from its mother and
environment. Therefore, it is desirable to establish early colonization of the gut with beneficial bacteria.
During weaning or dietary changes - At weaning, a young animal's digestive system may not be
sufficiently developed to efficiently change from milk to plant-based rations.
Periods of stress - Handling, shipping, vaccination, and other situations can be stressful to an animal,
resulting in reduced appetite, which reduces feed intake causing subsequent weight loss or reduced
weight gain.
Antibiotic therapy - Antibiotic treatments can lower the number and growth of Lactobacillus and other
beneficial microbes in the digestive tract.
Handling and Storage
The stability of live DFMs is critical because the microorganisms must be delivered live to the animal to be
effective. Therefore, it is important to follow the manufacturer's storage and handling recommendations. Most
DFMs require storage in a cool, dry area, away from heat, direct sunlight, and high levels of humidity. After
opening, the unused portion should be kept tightly closed to protect the DFMs from loss of viability.
Units of Measure for Bacteria and Yeasts
True, live-organism DFM products must provide a guaranteed number of live microorganisms present that can
be substantiated using laboratory techniques. Unfortunately, the results often depend on how the product
sample was originally obtained and handled and the testing lab's counting methodology. Therefore, because
there is no standardized format, minor differences in technique can dramatically affect final results.

The most common enumeration methods are viable plate count and direct microscopic count. The viable count
is based on the assumption that a single, viable microorganism will grow into one colony in a growth medium.
A series of dilutions are made and dispensed into a petri dish. After incubation, the number of colonies are
counted and multiplied by a dilution factor, giving the number of viable colony forming units (CFU) per gram
of product. In the direct microscopic count, the number of bacteria on a grid are counted under a microscope.
A total count of bacteria is reported, because dead and live cells cannot be distinguished.
Conclusion
Although some uncertainty exists, enough evidence is available to warrant consideration for the use of a DFM
in the feeding of various classes of livestock. Animals that have been stressed seem to respond better to DFM
supplementation compared to healthy, non-stressed animals. Therefore, DFM supplementation may have
greater application during stressful conditions, such as during parturition and lactation, for neonatal animals,
and during disease or environmental challenges. The use of DFMs in animal nutrition will most likely continue
to increase. As our understanding of this emerging technology increases, ADM Alliance Nutrition will make
appropriate program changes to enhance swine productivity and efficiency.
TABLE 1 Microorganisms that are approved by FDA and AAFCO for use in DFMs
Aspergillus niger
Bifidobacterium infantis
Lactobacillus reuteri
Aspergillus oryzae
Bifidobacterium longum
Leuconostoc mesenteroides
Bacillus coagulans
Bifidobacterium
Pediococcus acidilactici
thermophilum
Bacillus lentus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Pediococcus cerevisiae (damnosus)
Bacillus licheniformis
Lactobacillus brevis
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Bacillus pumilus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
Bacillus subtilis
Lactobacillus casei
Propionibacterium shermanii
Bacteroides amylophilus
Lactobacillus cellobiosus
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Bacteroides capillosus
Lactobacillus curvatus
Streptococcus cremoirs
Bacteriodes ruminicola
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Streptococcus diacetilactis
Bacteroides suis
Lactobacillus fermentum
Streptococcus faecium
Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus helveticus
Streptococcus intermedius
adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Lactobacillus lactis
Streptococcus lactis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Streptococcus thermophilus
Table 2 Summary of Dehydrated Yeast Products Defined by AAFCO
Contains
Contains Growth
Product Name
Species of Yeast
Live Cells
Medium
Primary Dried Yeast
Saccharomyces
no
no

Feeding Value

Active Dried Yeast

Saccharomyces

yes

no

Irradiated Dried Yeast

Saccharomyces

no

no

nutrient content
fermentative action
digestive aid
vitamin D2

Brewers Dried Yeast

Saccharomyces
Torulopsis orCandid
a
Saccharomyces

no

no

nutrient content

no

no

nutrient content

some

yes

digestive aid

Torula or Candida
Dried Yeast
Yeast Culture