Fig. 2
From: Mechanisms of probiotic Bacillus against enteric bacterial infections
The mode of action of AMPs and SCFAs derived from probiotic Bacillus. The antibacterial activity exhibited by Bacillus is mainly attributed to the production of AMPs and SCFAs. AMPs and SCFAs produced by probiotic Bacillus can directly (a) kill/inhibit pathogenic bacteria or antagonize the colonization of pathogenic bacteria by destroying bacterial cell membrane, genetic material and (b) interfere with bacterial quorum sensing system. Additionally, (c) the produced SCFAs can easily penetrate into the lipid membrane of the bacterial cell and cause the acidification of cytoplasm or require excess energy consumption to export the dissociated protons from SCFAs. These effects result in inhibition of pathogen’s growth