Probiotic Isolate Protects the Model Insect against .

strains isolated from the larval feces of the Mediterranean flour moth show antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The probiotic characterization of one isolate revealed a high auto-aggregation score, a hydrophilic cell surface, tolerance for low pH, no hemolytic activity, and susceptibility to all tested antibiotics. We used the red flour beetle , an established model organism, for the characterization of one probiotic isolate from larvae. larvae were fed orally with the probiotic isolate or the corresponding supernatant and then infected with either the entomopathogen or . Larvae exposed to the isolate or the supernatant showed increased survival following infection with but not . Heat treatment or treatment with proteinase K reduced the probiotic effect of the supernatant. However, the increased resistance attracts a fitness penalty manifested as a shorter lifespan and reduced fertility. has, pending on further research, the potential as an alternative model for the pre-screening of probiotics.