RESUMO
Studies were carried out to isolate and identify microorganisms for probiotic use for chickens. Selection of strains included various criteria such as agreement with bio-safety aspects, viability during storage, tolerance to low pH/ gastric juice, bile, and antimicrobial activity. The strains were isolated from the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, ileum and caeca of chicken. Decimal dilution of the contents of these segments were mixed with MRS medium and incubated for 48 h at 37ºC under anaerobiosis. The identity of the culture was based on characteristics of lactobacilli as presented in the Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology, carrying out bacterioscopy (morphology), Gram stain, growth at 15 and 45ºC, and fermentation of different carbon sources. Based on these criteria, Lactobacillus fermentum LPB was identified and tested for probiotic use for chickens. The isolate was evaluated for poultry feeds supplement. The results showed that in comparison to the presence and effects of antibiotics, L. fermentum LPB implantation resulted in a similar effects as that of antibiotics manifested by feed efficiency in growth of chicks.