Biological activity of probiotic microorganisms

Adaptation of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria to nutrient media with increased concentrations of bile (1%) and protein substrates of animal origin allowed the variants resistant to bile and displaying a high production of proteolytic enzymes (active within the pH range of 2.5-9.0) to be selected. Administration of the preparations involving the selected bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria assisted in the normalization of the intestinal microflora and activation of protein metabolism in the organism of animals. Specifically, it increased the total protein level in blood serum and redistributed protein fractions, increasing the content of globulins and decreasing albumin concentration.     

Diversity, vitality and activities of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria assessed by molecular approaches

While lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria have been scientifically important for over a century, many of these are marketed today as probiotics and have become a valuable and rapidly expanding sector of the food market that is leading functional foods in many countries. The human gastro-intestinal tract with its various compartments and complex microbiota is the primary target of most of these functional foods containing lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria (LAB&B). In addition, their use as vectors for delivery of molecules with therapeutic value to the host via the intestinal tract is being studied. This review focuses on molecular approaches for the investigation of the diversity of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in the human intestine, as well as tracking of probiotic bacteria within this complex ecosystem. Moreover, methodologies to determine the viability of the lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and molecular approaches to study the mechanisms by which they adapt, establish and interact with the human host via the digestive tract, are described.     

Molecular profiling of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium species in feces of active racehorses

Diversity and compositions of the Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium group in the feces of six healthy, actively racing horses (Thoroughbreds) were analyzed by using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time PCR with primer sets specific for each group. PCR-DGGE analysis of the feces showed that Lactobacillus equi, Lactobacillus johnsonii, a phylogenetic relative of Lactobacillus salivarius, a phylogenetic relative of Lactobacillus gastricus, and Weissella confusa were predominant in almost all of the feces tested, and Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus was predominant in the Streptococcus group. The Bifidobacterium group was not detected by single-PCR but atypical species of the group were found in three of the six Thoroughbreds tested by nested-PCR. Calculation and estimation of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria revealed that lactic acid bacteria were predominant in the feces and bifidobacteria were minor. These results indicate that the community of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in horse feces are unique because of the presence of specific species for horse feces and a minority of the Bifidobacterium group. Repeated tests of the feces from the same horse over 3 months showed that the diversity and composition of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria in the feces was basically stable throughout the test period.     

Studies on Streptococci

The population levels of bacteria in the contents and the walls of the gastrointestinal tract of gnotobiotic rats inoculated with lactic acid bacteria (streptococci, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria) from humans and rats were determined. Lactobacilli as well as streptococci isolated from rats colonized in the digestive tracts of the gnotobiotic rats at a high population level, characteristically highest in the stomach. On the other hand, in the rats inoculated with human lactic acid bacteria, streptococci were dominant in the lower tract. The human lactobacilli or bifidobacteria did not colonize when the organisms in each genus were inoculated together with streptococci. However, when all three genera were inoculated together, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria colonized. Observations on the species of streptococci showed that the intestinal type of streptococci was found to colonize at a high population level, but the oral type was not. Strains of the same genus of lactic acid bacteria from humans and from rats showed different colonization patterns.     

mCherry红色荧光标记乳酸菌的融合表达系统构建及应用

为开发新型荧光蛋白标记乳酸菌以填补国内研究空白,利用pSIP载体,构建了以红色荧光蛋白mCherry为标记,并以乳酸菌胆盐水解酶基因bsh为报告基因的乳酸菌融合表达系统。在4种不同启动子(P_(sppA)、P_(ldhL)、P_(32)和P_(slpA))调节下,相继实现了融合基因的诱导型和组成型表达,表达的融合重组蛋白mCherry-BSH同时检测出红色荧光活性和胆盐水解酶BSH活性。mCherry红色荧光标记的乳酸菌融合表达系统的成功构建不仅为研究乳酸菌在生物体内的分布、定植及存活情况从而揭示其益生功能的作用机理提供有利条件,也为更多活性蛋白在乳酸菌宿主中的表达、细胞定位、功能鉴定的研究奠定基础。     

Fermentation of fructooligosaccharides by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria

Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria were screened of their ability to ferment fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on MRS agar. Of 28 strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria examined, 12 of 16 Lactobacillus strains and 7 of 8 Bifidobacterium strains fermented FOS. Only strains that gave a positive reaction by the agar method reached high cell densities in broth containing FOS.     

Immune Modulation Capability of Exopolysaccharides Synthesised by Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria

During recent years, the exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by some strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria have attracted the attention of researchers, mainly due to their potential technological applications. However, more recently, it has been observed that some of these EPS present immunomodulatory properties, which suggest a potential effect on human health. Whereas EPS from lactic acid bacteria have been studied in some detail, those of bifidobacteria largely remain uncharacterized in spite of the ubiquity of EPS genes in Bifidobacterium genomes. In this review, we have analysed the data collected in the literature about the potential immune-modulating capability of EPS produced by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria. From this data analysis, as well as from results obtained in our group, a hypothesis relating the physicochemical characteristics of EPS with their immune modulation capability was highlighted. We propose that EPS having negative charge and/or small size (molecular weight) are able to act as mild stimulators of immune cells, whereas those polymers non-charged and with a large size present a suppressive profile.     

Fermentation of Fructooligosaccharides by Lactic Acid Bacteria and Bifidobacteria

Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria were screened of their ability to ferment fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on MRS agar. Of 28 strains of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria examined, 12 of 16 Lactobacillus strains and 7 of 8 Bifidobacterium strains fermented FOS. Only strains that gave a positive reaction by the agar method reached high cell densities in broth containing FOS.     

Fractions of barley spent grain as media for growth of probiotic bacteria

The application of the protein and polysaccharide fractions of barley spent grain as a basis of growth media for probiotic bacteria was studied. High values of biomass yield, cell viability, and organic acid production were observed in the variants of media containing the barley spent grain supplemented with lactose, ascorbic acid, yeast extract, and mineral salts. Cells of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria had the typical rod-shaped morphology.     

Fractions of barley spent grain as media for growth of probiotic bacteria

The application of the protein and polysaccharide fractions of barley spent grain as a basis of growth media for probiotic bacteria was studied. High values of biomass yield, cell viability, and organic acid production were observed in the variants of media containing the barley spent grain supplemented with lactose, ascorbic acid, yeast extract, and mineral salts. Cells of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria had the typical rod-shaped morphology.     

Bifidobacteria and probiotic effects: Action of Bifidobacterium species on conjugated bile salts

The effect of six different conjugated bile salts (two trihydroxyconjugated bile salts: tauro and glycocholic acids; and four dihydroxyconjugated bile salts: tauro- and glycochenodeoxycholic, tauro- and glycodeoxycholic acids) on eight bifidobacteria strains were studied. A strong growth-inhibitory effect was observed (80% at 0.95mm) for each bile salt and strain. This phenomenon was explained by the production of deconjugated bile salt during bifidobacteria growth. The deconjugation phenomenon was concurrent with biomass production, and deconjugated bile salts were the sole compound produced during bifidobacteria biotransformation. In resting cell experiments, differences appeared between the strains and the kind of bile salts, particularly concerning taurocholic acid. The Bifidobacterium longum strains were the most efficient among the bacteria tested.     

Behaviour of the pharmaceutical probiotic preparation VSL#3 in human ileostomy effluent containing its own natural elements

The pharmaceutical probiotic VSL#3 (300 billion cfu/g lactic acid bacteria & bifidobacteria) was inoculated into human ileostomy effluent (HIE) to assess its behaviour vs the ileo-caecal tract. Separately, yogurt bacteria (yog) and bifidobacteria (Bif) present in VSL#3 were also inoculated into HIE. During 37 degrees C incubation (anaerobic condition) at zero, six and 24 hours, both cell growth in control HIE and indigenous Bif growth in HIE+yog were observed. Cells remained viable and metabolically active as shown by the increase in L(+) lactic acid in HIE+VSL#3 and HIE+yog and the pH decreased (approx. 5.5 compared with the 6.2 of control HIE). Total SCFA Short Chain Fatty Acids decreased in HIE+yog and HIE+VSL#3 at 6h and in all cultures at 24h; butyric acid decreased in HIE+Bif and HIE+VSL#3. Generally in vivo the bacteria remain in the ileo-caecal tract no longer than six h, therefore VSL#3 bacteria seem able to pass this barrier viably, colonizing the large bowel.     

Cholesterol assimilation by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria isolated from the human gut

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of human gut-derived lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria on cholesterol levels in vitro. Continuous cultures inoculated with fecal material from healthy human volunteers with media supplemented with cholesterol and bile acids were used to enrich for potential cholesterol assimilators among the indigenous bacterial populations. Seven potential probiotics were found: Lactobacillus fermentum strains F53 and KC5b, Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697, Streptococcus bovis ATCC 43143, Enterococcus durans DSM 20633, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Enterococcus faecalis. A comparative evaluation regarding the in vitro cholesterol reduction abilities of these strains along with commercial probiotics was undertaken. The degree of acid and bile tolerance of strains was also evaluated. The human isolate L. fermentum KC5b was able to maintain viability for 2 h at pH 2 and to grow in a medium with 4,000 mg of bile acids per liter. This strain was also able to remove a maximum of 14.8 mg of cholesterol per g (dry weight) of cells from the culture medium and therefore was regarded as a candidate probiotic.     

Lactoferrin-binding proteins in Bifidobacterium bifidum.

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein and its bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are well known. On the other hand, it is known that certain kinds of lactic acid bacteria are resistant to its antibacterial effects. Moreover, it is reported that lactoferrin promotes the growth of bifidobacteria in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In our experiments, lactoferrin-binding protein was found both in the membrane and cytosolic fractions of Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-11. The bifidobacteria were grown in anaerobic conditions with lactobacilli MRS broth containing cysteine, harvested by centrifugation, and processed by sonication. The lactoferrin-binding proteins on the PVDF-membrane transferred after SDS-PAGE were detected by far-Western (western-Western) method using biotinylated lactoferrin and streptavidin-labelled horse radish peroxidase. The molecular weights of the lactoferrin binding protein detected in the membrane fraction were estimated to be 69 kDa and those in cytosolic fractions were 20, 35, 50, and 66 kDa.     

Chitosan oligosaccharides, dp 2-8, have prebiotic effect on the Bifidobacterium bifidium and Lactobacillus sp

In order to investigate the prebiotic potential of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of fully deacetylated chitosan polymer, the effect of COS on bacterial growth was studied. The degree of polymerization (dp) of COS was determined by MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, and the COS was found to be composed of dimer (33.6%), trimer (16.9%), tetramer (15.8%), pentamer (12.4%), hexamer (8.3%), heptamer (7.1%), and octamer (5.9%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of chitosan polymer against lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria were below 0.31%. However, this only applied to two strains, the other bacteria tested grew on MRS broth containing 5% COS. The effects of COS on the growth of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria were compared with those of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS). FOS was found to have a growth stimulatory effect on only three strains: Bifidobacterium bifidium, B. infantis and Lactobacillus casei. However, COS stimulated the growth of most Lactobacillus sp. and B. bifidium KCTC 3440. The amount of the growth and the specific growth rate of B. bifidium increased with increasing COS concentration. The cultivation time required to obtain maximum growth was reduced to about 25% in MRS broth supplemented with 0.2-0.4% COS. These results demonstrate that COS has considerable bifidogenic potential. Both cell growth and specific growth rates of L. brevis in MRS broth supplemented with 0.1% COS increased by 25%. The present study shows that COS stimulates the growth of some enteric bacteria, and that COS has potential use as a prebiotic health-food.     

Study of the intestinal microflora in residents of the city of Vladikavkaz

Microbiological study revealed high occurrence of dysbacteriosis with the decreased amount of Escherichia coli (80.9%) and the presence of E. coli hemolytic forms (76.6%). Rather often the elevated content of E. coli with decreased fermentative properties was noted (51.1%). In all cases E. coli with decreased biochemical activity had hemolytic activity, which was accompanied by the deficiency of bifidobacteria (79.2% of cases) and the combined deficiency of lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria (75% of cases).     

Effects of lactose on colon microbial community structure and function in a four-stage semi-continuous culture system

A semi-continuous four-channel colon simulator was used to study the effects of lactose for the first time on the growth and fermentation dynamics of colonic microbiota. In six separate simulations, lactose supplementation increased the total SCFA concentration by 3-5 fold as compared with the baseline in the respective vessels. The total bacterial density was inversely correlated with lactic acid production (P = 0.003), while production of butyrate (P = 0.007) and propionate (P = 0.02) correlated with higher numbers of bacteria. A major shift in the microbial community structure in the lactose supplemented vessels was demonstrated by bacterial genomic %G+C-profiling of the total population, where lactose supplementation induced a clearly dominant peak in the bifidobacteria prominent area, %G+C 60-65. The transient shift to increased numbers of bifidobacteria (23-27%) of all bacteria in the first two vessels was also confirmed by the bifidobacteria-specific QPCR-method. In conclusion, lactose produced dramatic changes in microbiota composition and activity as compared with the baseline fermentation.     

Production of hydrolases by lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria and their antibiotic resistance

It was demonstrated that bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria B. adolescentis and Lactobacillus sp. synthesized extracellular enzymes cleaving glycoside bonds in the molecules of dextran, pectic acid, and soluble starch. The maximal production of extracellular beta-galactosidase by B. adolescentis 91-BIM and 94-BIM at a rate of 0.08 and 0.03 U/mg h was observed during the exponential growth phase at 5 and 12 h of cultivation, respectively. The cultures of bifidobacteria retained 60-70% of beta-galactosidase and alpha-amylase activities after six months of storage. The bifidobacterium strains studied were resistant to amphotericin and aminoglycosides (gentamicin, kanamycin, and netromycin). The lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, bicillin 3, bicillin 5, and carbenicillin), the preparations inhibiting protein synthesis at the level of ribosomes (lincomycin), RNA polymerase inhibitors (rifampin), cephalosporin, and Maxipime inhibited the growth of bifidobacteria. Rifampin, erythromycin, amphotericin, Maxipime, Fortum, doxycycline, levomycetin, streptomycin, and the aminoglycosides netromycin, gentamicin, and kanamycin did not have an effect on the growth of Lactobacillus sp., whereas semisynthetic derivatives of penicillin, carbenicillin and ampicillin, inhibited its growth as well as Oxamp and lincomycin. The lactam antibiotics benzylpenicillin, bicillin 3, and bicillin 5 inhibited the growth of lactic acid bacilli by 30-90%.     

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.     

Basic Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sporolactobacillus inulinus</Emphasis> BCRC 14647 for Potential Probiotic Properties

The basic characteristics of the spore-forming lactic acid bacterium, Sporolactobacillus inulinus BCRC 14647, was evaluated in vitro for its potential probiotic properties. Assessments including acid and bile salt tolerance, adhesiveness, and antagonistic effects on pathogenic Salmonella enteritidis BCRC 10744, as well as inhibition factors of spent culture supernatant (SCS) and an invasion assay, were conducted using Lactobacillus acidophilus BCRC 10695 and two bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum BCRC 14615 and B. longum BCRC 11847) as a reference. In the results, S. inulinus spores presented significantly higher survival rates than the vegetative cell form in acidic conditions as well as the reference bifidobacteria. However, L. acidophilus showed the highest viability among all tested strains. Similar results were found in the bile tolerance test. Compared with the reference strains, the vegetative cell form of S. inulinus possessed a proper adhesive characteristic (71.7 bacteria/field for S. inulinus and 91.3 and 45.7 bacteria/field for B. bifidum and B. longum, respectively). In the adhesion assay, both the spore form of S. inulinus (17.1 bacteria/field) and the negative control, L. bulgaricus BCRC 14009 (5.9 bacteria/field), displayed nonadhesive traits. The vegetative cells of S. inulinus and its SCS both dramatically decrease the adhesion of S. enteritidis to Caco-2 cells; meanwhile, the SCS of S. inulinus vegetative cells inhibited the growth of S. enteritidis in the inhibition zone test. The existing inhibition factor could be assumed to be lactic acid in the SCS. From the results of the invasion assay, S. inulinus showed high safety properties. In conclusion, based on these in vitro evaluations, results suggest that S. inulinus presents probiotic features of great potential in the vegetative cell form.