A 28-day feeding trial in 24 healthy dogs compared a control diet, 3.5% Wolffia globosa powder, and Wolffia combined with Limosilactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5. Body weight, condition, fecal consistency, intake, and blood measures did not differ, while selected bacterial taxa changed.
Key findings
- Overall microbial diversity was unchanged. PRE was enriched in P. merdae, R. lituseburensis, S. variabile, and P. sartorii. SYN had higher E. coli and T. glycolicus and lower A. succiniciproducens and C. upsaliensis. These are compositional shifts, not demonstrated clinical benefits.
Why this matters globally
Wolffia is a regionally available aquatic plant, and the Thai probiotic strain may support development of functional pet-food ingredients. This study provides an early evidence base, but microbiome shifts still need to be linked to metabolites, immunity, and meaningful health outcomes.
Thai researcher contribution
Researchers from Kasetsart University and Mahidol University integrated veterinary science, food technology, microbiology, and bioinformatics, using Wolffia and the KUB-AC5 probiotic developed in a Thai research context.
Limitations to consider
The study had about eight dogs per group, lasted only 28 days, and included healthy animals. Relative abundance does not necessarily indicate absolute load or metabolic function. The observed E. coli increase should not be interpreted as beneficial without strain-level and safety data.