STUDIES ON THE IMPACT OF LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM AND LACTOBACILLUS CASEI CULTURED IN DIFFERENT NUTRIENT MEDIA ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ON THE HELMINTHIASIS

The overuse of antibiotics in broiler production raises public health concerns. This study evaluated the potential of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei cultured in sweet potato and tempeh infusions as probiotic alternatives. A total of 150 broiler chicks were divided into three groups: control (P1), sweet potato-based probiotic (P2), and tempeh-based probiotic (P3). Probiotics were administered via drinking water for 35 days. Growth performance, including average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (FBW) and helminth egg counts were assessed. Results showed that both probiotic treatments improved growth, with P3 showing significantly higher weight gain. Probiotic supplementation also reduced fecal egg counts of Heterakis galli-narum, Ascaridia galli, Cysticola columbae, and Schistosoma mansoni. The improvements are attributed to gut microbiota modulation and immunostimulatory effects of Lactobacillus spp. This study supports the use of sweet potato and tempeh infusions as cost-effective media for probiotics, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics in poultry farming.