Accumulation of conjugated linoleic acid in Lactobacillus plantarum WU-P19 is enhanced by induction with linoleic acid and chitosan treatment

Production of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by the potential probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum WU-P19 was investigated with the aim of enhancing production. CLA produced using this bacterium may be used to supplement dietary intake. Cultures were fed linoleic acid for conversion to CLA and the CLA produced was measured. In some cases, chitosan was added to cultures to improve cellular uptake of linoleic acid. Under static conditions at 37 °C, the bacterium grew and produced CLA in the pH range of 5.5–6.5. At pH 6.0, a 36-h incubation period maximized the concentration of the dry biomass (0.82 g/L), the CLA content in the biomass (4.1 mg/g), and linoleic acid in the biomass (1.2 mg/g). In comparison with cultures grown without linoleic acid in the medium, supplementing the medium with linoleic acid at 600 μg/mL slowed the production of CLA, but the CLA content in the dry biomass increased to 12–14 mg/g and the linoleic acid content increased to 8–11 mg/g. Supplementing the culture medium with chitosan and linoleic acid enhanced production of CLA in the dry biomass to 21 mg/g within 36 h. Nearly 50% of the CLA was cis-9, trans-11-CLA, and the remainder was trans-10, cis-12-CLA. Linoleic acid content of the dry biomass was increased to 37 mg/g. Accumulation of CLA in the cells was enhanced by feeding linoleic acid. Supplementing the culture with linoleic acid and chitosan further increased accumulation of CLA.