Functional Genomic Analysis of Three Novel Candidate Probiotic Strains with Quorum-Quenching and Predicted Mycotoxin Mitigation Potential

Three potential probiotic strains were selected as potential probiotics. Two of them have previously demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing the toxicity of mycotoxin-contaminated cattle feed. The reduced weight gain, probably caused by mycotoxins contamination, was completely eliminated by a synbiotic preparation containing these strains. In this study, we present the results of whole-genome sequencing and a functional analysis of these strains’ genomes. Preliminary screening focused on cellulolytic and lactonase activity, the latter suggesting a potential ability of these bacteria to transform or detoxify mycotoxins that possess lactone rings in their structure. However, this genome analysis also revealed gene clusters for synthesizing bioactive secondary metabolites capable of mediating other types of probiotic activity (e.g., non-ribosomally synthesized lipopeptides). The biosafety of these strains was also evaluated via resistance genes analysis. The characteristics described above identify these strains as promising candidates for development into effective livestock probiotics, pending functional validation.