АНТАГОНИСТИЧЕСКИЙ ПОТЕНЦИАЛ МОЛОЧНОКИСЛЫХ БАКТЕРИЙ В ОТНОШЕНИИ БАКТЕРИАЛЬНЫХ ПАТОГЕНОВ ВЕТЕРИНАРНОГО ЗНАЧЕНИЯ

The increasing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibacterial agents represents a serious challenge in modern veterinary medicine and animal husbandry. This has stimulated interest in alternative biological methods for controlling animal infections. One promising approach is the use of lactic acid bacteria with antagonistic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the antagonistic potential of lactic acid bacterial strains against veterinary pathogens and examine changes in inhibitory activity over time. Antagonistic activity was assessed using the agar diffusion method against Salmonella abortus-equi, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, and Staphylococcus aureus. The strains showed antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. Salmonella abortus-equi was the most sensitive, indicating susceptibility to metabolites produced by lactic acid bacteria. The largest growth-inhibition zones were recorded after 72 hours of cultivation, possibly reflecting the accumulation of biologically active substances in the culture medium. These findings suggest that lactic acid bacteria produce metabolites capable of suppressing pathogenic microorganisms. Further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this activity and identify the compounds responsible. The results also indicate potential veterinary applications, particularly in probiotic preparations for preventing bacterial infections in animals. Future research should assess strain safety, establish optimal cultivation conditions, and evaluate efficacy in vivo. Such studies may support the development of safe and effective probiotic alternatives that promote animal health and encourage the rational use of antibiotics in veterinary practice. However, the agar diffusion assay provides preliminary evidence only, so further studies should confirm reproducibility and determine whether the observed effects persist under practical conditions.