Impact of a microencapsulated probiotic consortium on lactose digestion and intestinal health in piglets

In weaned piglets, the decline of intestinal lactase activity predisposes animals fed lactose-rich diets to maldigestion and diarrhea. Microbial pathways can compensate via the Leloir or tagatose-6-phosphate routes, depending on transport systems and microbiota composition. This study assessed the effect of microencapsulated probiotic consortia on lactose utilization, gut microbiota, and performance in 108 piglets assigned to four diets: two probiotic blends (D1, D2), an antibiotic group (D3), and a copper control (D4). 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics showed that probiotics, especially D2, stabilized the microbiota by enriching Firmicutes, increased Lactobacillus and Prevotella, and suppressing Escherichia coli. Functional profiling revealed distinct metabolic strategies: D4 relied on broad extracellular hydrolysis, whereas D1 and D2 utilized active Lactose-Phosphotransferase transport linked to intracellular catabolism. D2 exhibited the highest glycolytic engagement, indicating optimized energy harvest. Dietary probiotics enriched lactose-metabolizing pathways and stabilized the gut microbiota, alongside indicative trends toward better stool consistency and feed utilization.