Carbohydrate preference, acid tolerance and bile tolerance in five strains of Bifidobacterium

AIMS: To assess the suitability of bifidobacteria for inclusion in synbiotic products on the basis of carbohydrate preference, acid and bile tolerance. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five strains of Bifidobacterium were analysed for their carbohydrate preference from 12 substrates. Maximum growth rates were used to compare substrate preferences. Galacto-oligosaccharides and isomalto-oligosaccharides were well utilized by all the test species. Most bacteria tested could also utilize at least one type of fructan molecule. To determine transit tolerance of potentially probiotic bifidobacteria, acid and bile resistance was tested. A wide range acid resistance was found. Bile tolerance also varied. CONCLUSIONS: GOS and IMO were generally well utilized by the tested species. Other substrates were used to different degrees by the different species. Most bifidobacteria are poorly resistant to strongly acidic conditions with the exception of Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12. Bile tolerances were widely variable and it was shown that caution should be exercised when using colorimetric methods to assess bile tolerance. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The study allows the comparison of the properties of bifidobacteria, allowing a cost effective screen for the best species for use in synbiotic products to allow better survival and efficacy.     

Application of Probiotics in Folate Bio-Fortification of Yoghurt

Folate deficiency is a public health concern affecting all age groups worldwide. The available evidence reveals that adding probiotic bacteria to the yoghurt starter cultures during yoghurt production process under fermentation conditions increases the folate content of yoghurt. The present study was conducted to measure two folate derivatives, i.e., 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, in bio-fortified yoghurt samples including (1) yoghurt containing Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, (2) probiotic yoghurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12, (3) probiotic yoghurt containing native strains of Lactobacillus plantarum 15HN, (4) probiotic yoghurt containing native strains of Lactococcus lactis 44Lac, and (5) probiotic yoghurt containing commercial strains of Lactobacillus plantarum LAT BY PL. During storage at 4 °C for 21 days, the highest levels of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, which were statistically significant, were detected in the yoghurt made using Lact. plantarum 15HN. Moreover, the highest total folate concentration (1487 ± 96.42 μg/L) was specified in the yoghurt containing Lact. plantarum 15HN on the 7th day. It can be conjectured that this product can be suggested as a proper alternative to synthetic folic acid and may not have the side effects of using synthetic folic acid overdoses.

     

Selection and optimization procedure of synbiotic for cholesterol removal

A selection and optimization procedure for the synbiotic combination of probiotic and prebiotics was established to optimize its cholesterol removal in vitro. In light of fermentability, prebiotics utilization by probiotics was highly variable and interspecies differences existed. Based on the results of fermentability, L. plantarum LS12, Ls31, LP529 and L. ruminis La3 could be the better candidates for symbiotic research. The bile tolerance of all the tested strains could be improved by the strain-specific prebiotics comparing to the control carbon source (glucose). The strain LS12 was finally selected to form the symbiotic according to its better ability to ferment prebiotics and bile tolerance, while the five prebiotics (FOS, stachyose, GOS, IMO and mannitol) were selected to make their synbiotic combination because of their better enhancement of bile tolerance and growth support to LS12. The synbiotic combination for cholesterol removal was optimized by use of response surface methodology. The first-order model showed that the selected prebiotics mannitol and GOS were significant factors. Then through the second-order polynomial regression model, the optimum conditions of the two factors for cholesterol removal by the synbiotic were suggested.     

A novel multi‐strain probiotic and synbiotic supplement for prevention of Clostridium difficile infection in a murine model

The protective effect of a multi‐strain probiotic and synbiotic formulation was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice infected with Clostridium difficile (CD) NAP1/027. Antibiotic‐treated mice were divided into the following four groups: Group 1, fed with a synbiotic formulation consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum F44, L. paracasei F8, Bifidobacterium breve 46, B. lactis 8:8, galacto‐oligosaccharides, isomalto‐oligosaccharides, and resistant starch; Group 2, fed with the same four probiotic strains as Group 1; Group 3, fed with the same prebiotic supplements as Group 1 for 7 days before CD infection; and Group 4 (control group) antibiotic treated and infected with NAP1/027 strain. Feces and cecal contents were collected for microbial cell viability, quantitative PCR (qPCR), toxin analyses and histopathology. Synbiotics‐ and probiotics‐fed mice showed a significant increase in total bifidobacteria (P < 0.05). The total lactobacilli count was increased in Group 1. Tests for cecal toxins were negative in Group 2 mice, whereas one sample each from Group 1 and 3 was positive. qPCR of cecal contents showed significant reduction in NAP1/027 DNA copies in Groups 1 and 2 and significantly higher numbers of B. breve 46, L. plantarum F44, and L. paracasei F8 in Groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05); these changes were much less pronounced in Groups 3 and 4. Our findings indicate that the newly developed synbiotic or multi‐strain probiotic formulation confers protection against NAP1/027 infection in C57BL/6 mice. This holds promise for performing human studies.     

Isolation,technological characterization and in vitro probiotic evaluation of Lactococcus strains from traditional Turkish skin bag Tulum cheeses

Purpose

The present study was undertaken to evaluate in vitro prerequisite probiotic and technological characteristics of ten Lactococcus strains isolated from traditional goat skin bags of Tulum cheeses from the Central Taurus mountain range in Turkey.

Methods

All isolates were identified based on the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Eight isolates belonged to Lactococcus lactis and two belonged to Lactococcus garvieae. Probiotic potential was determined from resistance to acid and bile salt, resistance to gastric and pancreatic juices, resistance to antibiotic, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, diacetyl, hydrogen peroxide and exopolysaccharide productions. Technological properties were verified by alcohol, NaCl and hydrogen peroxide resistance and temperature tests.

Results

L. lactis NTH7 displayed high growth at all alcohol concentrations while L. lactis NTH4 grew very well even at NaCl concentrations of 10%. All strains showed to some extent resistance to acid and bile. Five strains exhibited desirable survival in gastric juice (pH 2.0), while three strains survived in pancreatic juice (pH 8.0). All Lactococcus isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin and tetracycline. Also, only L. lactis NTH7 from among the isolates showed resistance against penicillin. L. lactis NTH10 and L. lactis NTH7 had higher auto-aggregation values in comparison with all other strains. All the strains demonstrated a co-aggregation ability against model food pathogens, particularly, L. lactis NTH10 which showed a superior ability with L. monocytogenes. All the ten strains produced H₂O₂ and exopolysaccharide (EPS); however, diacetyl production was detected for only four strains including L. lactis NTH10.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that the L. lactis NTH10 isolate could be regarded as a favorable probiotic candidate for future in vivo studies.

     

In vitro assessment of probiotic properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> isolated from naturally fermented congee from Inner Mongolia of China

A total of thirty-three strains of Bacillus were isolated from sixteen samples of naturally fermented congee in Inner Mongolia of China and identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Probiotic properties including acid, bile tolerance and artificial gastrointestinal juice resistance as well as inhibition on pathogenic bacteria were used for screening of Bacillus. After the preliminary selection, four strains including Bacillus licheniformis IMAUB1002, Bacillus subtilis IMAUB1011, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IMAUB1014 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens IMAUB1034 showed high tolerance to simulated gastric juice at pH 2.0 for 3 h with survival rate all above 92%. And then through gastrointestinal transit, survival rates of these four strains were above 90%. Furthermore, Bacillus licheniformis IMAUB1002 performed well in tolerance to bile salt (0.6%) and inhibitory activity to five food-borne pathogens among four strains of Bacillus. The results suggested that Bacillus licheniformis IMAUB1002 should be considered as a potential probiotics. Further study will be focused on evaluation of these porbiotics properties in vivo and clarification of its other functional properties so as to use it in functional foods production in future.     

Prebiotic-non-digestible oligosaccharides preference of probiotic bifidobacteria and antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile

Bifidobacterium breve 46, Bifidobacterium lactis 8:8 and Bifidobacterium longum 6:18 and three reference strains B. breve CCUG 24611, B. lactis JCM 10602, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum JCM 1200 were examined for acid and bile tolerance, prebiotic utilization and antimicrobial activity against four Clostridium difficile (CD) strains including the hypervirulent strain, PCR ribotype NAP1/027. B. lactis 8:8 and B. lactis JCM 10602 exhibited a high tolerance in MRSC broth with pH 2.5 for 30 min. B. breve 46 and B. lactis 8:8 remained 100% viable in MRSC broth with 5% porcine bile after 4 h. All six strains showed a high prebiotic degrading ability (prebiotic score) with galactooligosaccharides (GOS), isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOS) and lactulose as carbon sources and moderate degradation of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) was metabolized to a greater extent by B. lactis 8:8, B. lactis JCM 10602, B. pseudocatenulatum JCM 1200 and B. longum 6:18 (prebiotic score >50%). All strains exhibited extracellular antimicrobial activity (AMA) against four CD strains including the CD NAP1/027. AMA of B. breve 46, B. lactis 8:8 and B. lactis JCM 10602 strains was mainly ascribed to a combined action of organic acids and heat stable, protease sensitive antimicrobial peptides when cells were grown in MRSC broth with glucose and by acids when grown with five different prebiotic-non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs). None of C. difficile strains degraded five prebiotic-NDOs. Whole cells of B. breve 46 and B. lactis 8:8 and their supernatants inhibited the growth and toxin production of the CD NAP1/027 strain.     

3株罗伊氏乳杆菌生物学特性的分析比较

【目的】对3株罗伊氏乳杆菌的生物学特性进行分析比较,为后期生产应用提供一定的参考。【方法】对实验室保藏的3株罗伊氏乳杆菌的生长曲线、pH曲线、耐受人工胃液能力、耐受猪胆盐能力、黏附能力、抑菌能力和对抗生素的耐药性等特性进行了分析比较。【结果】3株菌生长趋势大致相同;3株菌对人工胃液均具有良好的耐受性,且可以有效地抑制大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长;菌株L0和L2对高胆盐的环境耐受性较差,菌株L1则对高胆盐环境具有极强的耐受性;菌株L1和L2具有很强的黏附能力;3株菌对20种抗生素表现出不同的耐受性。【结论】菌株L1的生物学特性明显优于其他两株菌株,有利于后期的生产应用。     

模拟人体胃肠道环境筛选益生乳杆菌

【目的】筛选具有益生特性的乳杆菌作为保健型酸奶的候选菌株。【方法】从健康人肠道和奶豆腐中分离筛选出耐受人工胃液的乳杆菌,对其进行体外益生特性(人工胃肠液耐受性、胆盐耐受性、抑菌活性及胆固醇降解能力)研究。【结果】从在乳杆菌分离培养基上有溶钙圈的41株菌株中筛选出5株耐酸、耐人工胃液较强的菌株,经16S rR NA基因测序鉴定,其中3株为乳杆菌,分别命名为植物乳杆菌Lp MT-3、植物乳杆菌Lp MT-5和唾液乳杆菌LsA F-7。在人工胃液中3株菌的耐受力均强于商品化的对照菌株LGG(鼠李糖乳杆菌GG);转入肠液4 h后直至26 h,Lp MT-5存活率基本稳定在45%左右,仅次于LGG。胆盐浓度为0.10%时,3株乳杆菌的耐胆盐能力均强于LGG;胆盐浓度为0.20%时,Lp MT-3和LsA F-7仍能存活。3株乳杆菌均具有抑菌活性,对粪肠球菌的抑制最明显,其次是金黄色葡萄球菌,对大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌的抑制作用较差。3株乳杆菌对胆固醇的清除效力依次为Lp MT-3LpM T-5Ls AF-7;清除率依次为Ls AF-7Lp MT-3LpM T-5。【结论】筛选出3株适应人体胃肠液环境、耐胆盐、抑菌及降胆固醇活力强的乳杆菌,可作为进一步开发新的益生菌产品和保健型酸奶的菌株。     

脱除游离棉酚乳酸菌的分离鉴定及益生性能研究

从藜麦茎叶样品中筛选分离出乳酸菌株,测定菌株脱除游离棉酚能力,通过人工胃液、人工肠液耐受实验、抑菌实验、抗生素敏感实验及表面特性研究菌株各项性能,并通过生理生化及16S rDNA法对菌株进行鉴定。结果表明,筛选出1株高效游离棉酚脱除乳酸菌LR002,其游离棉酚脱除率为62.87%,该菌株具有高效的耐人工胃液、肠液效果,且具有广谱抑菌作用,对抗生素不敏感,经鉴定该菌株为植物乳杆菌（Lactobacillus plantarum）。本研究旨在筛选出高效游离棉酚脱除乳酸菌菌株,为棉粕在畜禽生产中的合理利用提供参考。     

Isolation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from different food matrices and their preliminary selection for a potential use as probiotics

Aims: To isolate acid‐ and bile‐resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains directly from food samples and to preliminarily select them on the basis of fundamental probiotic properties. Methods and Results: A rapid screening method allowed the isolation and selection of 20 acid‐ and bile‐resistant yeasts from foods, avoiding time‐consuming isolation steps. The strains were characterized for their specific survival in simulated gastric juice and in intestinal fluid after pre‐exposure at low pH. Ten isolates demonstrated a satisfactory survival percentage in intestinal fluid after pre‐exposure to gastric juice and appreciable lipolytic and proteolytic properties, as demonstrated by the API‐ZYM test. By using molecular methods five strains were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, three as Candida spp., one as Candida pararugosa and one as Pichia spp. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains showed considerable probiotic properties, achieving a 80< % <90 survival through the simulated gastrointestinal tract, as well as interesting glucosidase activities. Conclusions: The research represents an efficient strategy to select and identify Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with desirable acid and bile resistances. Significance and Impact of the Study: This paper reports the direct selection of potentially probiotic yeasts from foods and provides indications about the ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to survive conditions simulating the human gastrointestinal tract.     

Isolation and characterization of probiotic properties of Lactobacilli isolated from rat fecal microbiota

The objective of the present study was to characterize lactobacilli isolates from the feces of male Wistar rats. Various physiological features of the candidate probiotic isolates were preliminarily investigated, including tolerance to simulated gastric juice and bile salts, antimicrobial activity, antibiotic susceptibility and in vitro aggregation. Based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics, four potential probiotic isolates (CS2, CS3, CS4, and CS7) were screened. The isolates showed good tolerance to stimulated gastric juice and bile salts. CS4 and CS7 exhibited strong antibacterial activities against the pathogens tested as assessed in neutral pH culture supernatants. All lactobacilli isolates were susceptible to all the tested antibiotics, except vancomycin. Moreover, the isolate CS4 and CS7 were found to possess stronger cell surface traits such as hydrophobicity, auto‐aggregation and co‐aggregation capacity. In addition, CS4 and CS7 had greater β‐galactosidase activities than the others. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed that CS2, CS3, CS4 and CS7 are Lactobacillus intestinalis PJ2, L. sakei PJ3, L. helveticus PJ4, and L. plantarum PJ7, respectively. Based on the obtained results, L. helveticus PJ4 and L. plantarum PJ7 are ideal in vitro probiotic candidates and require further in vivo evaluation.     

Antioxidant properties of potentially probiotic bacteria: in vitro and in vivo activities

Thirty-four strains of lactic acid bacteria (seven Bifidobacterium, 11 Lactobacillus, six Lactococcus, and 10 Streptococcus thermophilus) were assayed in vitro for antioxidant activity against ascorbic and linolenic acid oxidation (TAA_AA and TAA_LA), trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), intracellular glutathione (TGSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Wide dispersion of each of TAA_AA, TAA_LA, TEAC, TGSH, and SOD occurred within bacterial groups, indicating that antioxidative properties are strain specific. The strains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSMZ 23032, Lactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ 23033, and Lactobacillus brevis DSMZ 23034 exhibited among the highest TAA_AA, TAA_LA, TEAC, and TGSH values within the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These strains were used to prepare a potentially antioxidative probiotic formulation, which was administered to rats at the dose of 10⁷, 10⁸, and 10⁹ cfu/day for 18 days. The probiotic strains colonized the colon of the rats during the trial and promoted intestinal saccharolytic metabolism. The analysis of plasma antioxidant activity, reactive oxygen molecules level, and glutathione concentration, revealed that, when administered at doses of at least 10⁸ cfu/day, the antioxidant mixture effectively reduced doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress. Probiotic strains which are capable to limit excessive amounts of reactive radicals in vivo may contribute to prevent and control several diseases associated with oxidative stress.     

Probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus strains isolated from cheese and their antibacterial properties against gastrointestinal tract pathogens

In the present study, four Lactobacillus strains from the cheese were analyzed for its probiotic potential against enteropathogenic bacteria. The probiotic properties of the selected strains were also analyzed and the selected bacterial strains showed high tolerance in bile salts and organic acid. The strain L. plantarum LP049 showed maximum survival rate (92 ± 4.2% and 93.3 ± 2%) after 3 h of treatment at 0.25% (w/v) bile salts and 0.25% (w/v) organic acid concentrations. The ability of the Lactobacillus strains to adhere to human epithelial cells (HT-29 cell lines) was evaluated and L. plantarum LP049 showed maximum adhesion property (19.2 ± 1.1%) than other tested strains. The Lactobacillus strains produced lactic acid at various concentrations. Compared with other strains, maximum level of lactic acid (3.1 g/L), hydrogen peroxide (4.31 mM) and bacteriocin (31 AU/mg) was detected in LB049. The inhibitory activity of culture supernatant against various bacterial pathogens was observed. The zone of inhibition ranged between 6 ± 2 mm and 23 ± 2 mm. The cell free extract showed activity against, Escherichia coli (ATCC 10536), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Shigella flexneri (ATCC 29903), and Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 8459). Consequently, L. plantarum LP049 may be considered as a potential candidate for the production of novel bioactive metabolites for therapeutic and bio-protective applications.     

内蒙古呼伦贝尔地区传统发酵乳中乳酸菌的多样性分析

【目的】对内蒙古呼伦贝尔地区传统发酵乳制品中乳酸菌资源的生物多样性进行研究。【方法】采用纯培养和16S rRNA基因序列分析法对内蒙古呼伦贝尔地区传统发酵乳中的乳酸菌进行多样性分析。【结果】从8份传统发酵乳制品(6份酸牛奶和2份酸马奶)样品中分离到24株乳酸菌,通过16S rRNA基因序列分析和系统进化关系分析将24株乳酸菌鉴定为2株Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens、2株Lactobacillus kefiri、5株Lactobacillus paracasei、3株Lactobacillus plantarum、1株Lactobacillus rhamnosus、6株Lactococcus lactis subsp.lactis、2株Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp.dextranicum、2株Streptococcus thermophilus和1株Enterococcus faecium。【结论】Lactococcus lactis subsp.lactis为内蒙古呼伦贝尔地区传统发酵乳制品的优势菌种,占总分离株的25%,其次为Lactobacillus paracasei,占总分离株的20.83%。     

Characterization and selection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis> strains for their effect on bile tolerance,taurocholate deconjugation and cholesterol removal

Fourteen Lactobacillus strains of six species were investigated with their characteristics of bile salt tolerance, deconjugation of sodium taurocholate and cholesterol removal in the spent broth. Meanwhile, a co-precipitation curve of cholesterol with cholic acid at concentrations ranged 0.0–6.0 μM/ml was involved in the evaluation of cholesterol removal. Results demonstrated that both co-precipitation and assimilation effects contributed to cholesterol removal during the incubation of these Lactobacillus strains. It was also indicated that the supplementation of bile salts influenced the cholesterol removal, not only as an essential factor related to co-precipitation but also a critical condition for cholesterol assimilation. Out of all strains tested, four L. plantarum strains LS12, LS31, Lp501 and Lp529 exhibited a high ability of cholesterol assimilation (maximum 20.76 μg/ml), deconjugation of sodium taurocholate (maximum 5.00 μM/ml) and bile tolerance. They could be further studied and used as potential probiotics strains to reduce serum cholesterol in humans     

Mitogenic response and probiotic characteristics of lactic acid bacteria isolated from indigenously pickled vegetables and fermented beverages

Lactic acid bacteria from indigenous pickled vegetables and fermented beverages (fermented rice and Madhuca longifolia flowers) were isolated and investigated for their functional characteristics in vitro as potential new probiotic strains. Four isolates (all Lactobacillus spp.) selected on the basis of high tolerance to bile (0.2%) were identified by standard and molecular methods (16S rDNA) as L. helveticus, L. casei, L. delbrueckii and L. bulgaricus from pickled vegetables and fermented beverages respectively. These selected strains had antibiotic resistance, tolerance to artificial gastric juice and phenol (0.4%), enzymatic profile, and antagonistic activity against enteric pathogens (Enterobacter sakazakii, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri 2a, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica and Aeromonas hydrophila). All strains survived well in artificial gastric juice at low pH (3.0) values for 4 h, possessed bile salt hydrolase activity and were susceptible to most antibiotics including vancomycin. Additionally, the isolates exhibited high tolerance to phenol, high cell surface hydrophobicity (>60%) and induced proliferation of murine splenocytes. All the four strains of present study suppressed the Con A-stimulated proliferation of the mouse spleen cells, although L. casei had the strongest suppressive effect. The results of this study suggest a potential application of the strains (following human clinical trials), for developing probiotic foods.     

Effects of a synbiotic product on blood antioxidative activity in subjects colonized with Helicobacter pylori

Aim:  To evaluate the impact of the consumption of a synbiotic product on the antioxidative activity markers of blood in asymptomatic H. pylori -colonized persons.
Methods and Results:  Fifty-three healthy adult volunteers without gastric symptoms participated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. The crossover consumption of the enterocoated capsules containing antioxidative Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, Lact. paracasei 8700:2 and Bifidobacterium longum 46 with Raftilose P95 lasted for 3 weeks and did not change the H. pylori colonization. In H. pylori -positive subjects the sera values of total antioxidative status (TAS) were significantly lower compared to H. pylori -negative subjects (0·97 vs 1·05 mmol l⁻¹, P  = 0·008). After the consumption of the synbiotic, TAS values (0·97 vs 1·03 mmol l⁻¹, P  = 0·004) increased, while the ratio between oxidized and reduced glutathione (0·035 vs 0·030, P  = 0·016) decreased in H. pylori -positive subjects.
Conclusions:  The consumption of a synbiotic containing an antioxidative probiotic strain improved the reduced systemic antioxidative activity in H. pylori -colonized asymptomatic subjects.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  A synbiotic product containing an antioxidative probiotic strain may be useful in the reduction of systemic oxidative stress in H. pylori infection.     

Functional Analysis of Four Bile Salt Hydrolase and Penicillin Acylase Family Members in Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1

Bile salts play an important role in the digestion of lipids in vertebrates and are synthesized and conjugated to either glycine or taurine in the liver. Following secretion of bile salts into the small intestine, intestinal microbes are capable of deconjugating the glycine or taurine from the bile salts, using an enzyme called bile salt hydrolase (Bsh). Intestinal lactobacilli are regarded as major contributors to bile salt hydrolysis in vivo. Since the bile salt-hydrolyzing strain Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 was predicted to carry four bsh genes (bsh1, bsh2, bsh3, and bsh4), the functionality of these bsh genes was explored using Lactococcus lactis heterologous overexpression and multiple bsh deletion strains. Thus, Bsh1 was shown to be responsible for the majority of Bsh activity in L. plantarum WCFS1. In addition, bsh1 of L. plantarum WCFS1 was shown to be involved in conferring tolerance to specific bile salts (i.e., glycocholic acid). Northern blot analysis established that bsh1, bsh2, bsh3, and bsh4 are all expressed in L. plantarum WCFS1 during the exponential growth phase. Following biodiversity analysis, bsh1 appeared to be the only bsh homologue that was variable among L. plantarum strains; furthermore, the presence of bsh1 correlated with the presence of Bsh activity, suggesting that Bsh1 is commonly responsible for Bsh activity in L. plantarum strains. The fact that bsh2, bsh3, and bsh4 genes appeared to be conserved among L. plantarum strains suggests an important role of these genes in the physiology and lifestyle of the species L. plantarum. Analysis of these additional bsh-like genes in L. plantarum WCFS1 suggests that they might encode penicillin acylase rather than Bsh activity, indicating their implication in the conversion of substrates other than bile acids in the natural habitat.     

Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC 5273 isolated from Kimchi ameliorates diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in C57BL/6 mice

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to select potent cholesterol-lowering probiotic strains on HepG2 cell and investigate the effect of selected strain, Lactobacillus plantarum LRCC 5273 and LRCC 5279 in hypercholesterolemic mice. In the results, LP5273 group showed significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol compared to HCD group. In addition to significantly up-regulated hepatic mRNA expression of LXR-α and CYP7A1, intestinal LXR-α and ABCG5 were significantly up-regulated in LP5273 group. With activation of hepatic and intestinal LXR-α and its target genes, fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretion were increased in LP5273 fed mice. These results suggest that LP5273 ameliorates hypercholesterolemia in mice through the activation of hepatic and intestinal LXR-α, resulting in enhancement of fecal cholesterol and bile acids excretion in the small intestine. The results of present study suggest mechanistic evidences for hypocholesterolemic effects of L. plantarum spp., and may contribute to future researches for prevention of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease.