What question did this study set out to answer?

To isolate and characterize Ligilactobacillus agilis from vulture feces and evaluate its probiotic potential.

February 2, 2026Pathogens1 citationsOpen Access

Ligilactobacillus agilis LA-V4 Isolated from Vulture Fecal Isolate: A Novel Probiotic Candidate with Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity

DLDahui LiChinese Academy of Sciences CQChuxian QuanHuazhong Agricultural University MRMuhammad Farhan RahimHuazhong Agricultural University

Key Points

To isolate and characterize Ligilactobacillus agilis from vulture feces and evaluate its probiotic potential.
Isolation via 16S rRNA gene sequencing
Agar well diffusion assays to measure antibacterial activity
Simulated gastrointestinal condition assessments
Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling
Whole-genome sequencing for genomic analysis
Ligilactobacillus agilis demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Listeria.
Survival rate in artificial gastric juice was 52.5% and in intestinal fluids was 61.1%.
Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed sensitivity to gentamicin, streptomycin, clindamycin, and penicillin.
Whole-genome analysis indicated no known virulence factors, supporting its safety for use as a probiotic.

Abstract

Vultures are extraordinarily adapted to feed on carrion, providing them with a constant microbiologically hostile environment. This peculiar ecological position has influenced the evolution of their gut microbiota, potentially conferring its uncommon antimicrobial traits and resistance to stress. In this study, we report on the isolation and comprehensive characterization of a lactic acid bacterium strain, identified as Ligilactobacillus agilis, from vulture feces via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This strain exhibited potent antagonistic activity against several clinically relevant bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella enterica Typhimurium (25.26 ± 0.26 mm), Escherichia coli (23.5 ± 0.88 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (23.1 ± 1.8 mm), and Listeria monocytogenes (24.88 ± 0.61 mm), as demonstrated by agar well diffusion assays. Remarkably, it also demonstrated considerable resilience in simulated gastrointestinal conditions, with survival rates of 52.5 ± 7.4% in artificial gastric juice and 61.1 ± 3.7% in intestinal fluids. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling confirmed its sensitivity to a broad range of commonly used antibiotics, including gentamicin, streptomycin, clindamycin, and penicillin. Whole-genome sequencing further revealed a complete repertoire of core genes associated with genetic information processing, robust carbohydrate metabolism, and nutrient assimilation, underscoring its adaptability and probiotic potential. It is important to note that the analysis of the assembled genome against VFDB did not show the presence of any known virulence factor according to the given criteria, which is preliminary evidence of safety-related aspects that are to be followed with the help of guideline-based analyses. Taken together, the unique ecological origin and in vitro inhibitory activity against the tested pathogens, gastrointestinal robustness, genomic features, and safety credentials position this L. agilis strain as a promising probiotic candidate for mitigating enteric infections in animal production systems, warranting further functional validation and in vivo efficacy studies.

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