Fermentation of radiolabeled carbohydrates by a reconstructed continuous-flow culture effective against Salmonella in broiler chicks.

An 81-d-old continuous-flow (CF) culture of broiler cecal bacteria was maintained in a lactose-based broth. The culture had been previously proven effective against Salmonella colonization in young chicks, especially when the chicks were provided dietary lactose. Portions of the CF culture were batch-cultured in glucose- and lactose-based broths containing 14C-labeled lactose, glucose, galactose, or lactic acid to determine the effect of media carbohydrate on fermentation products. Acetic and propionic acids were the major 14C-labeled fermentation products. 14C-Carbohydrates were fermented to lactic acid and then to acetic and propionic acids. Distribution of radiolabeled fermentation products was effected by the broth carbohydrate and the time postinoculation.