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Lactobacillus rhamnosus is commonly found in several fermented dairy products. The safety of probiotic L. rhamnosus OP268117 strain 6481 was evaluated in this study using hemolytic and gelatinase activity tests. Hemolysins or gelatinases were not detected for this probiotic candidate and so it is considered safe for human use. Three different concentrations of gum arabic (GA) were added to the like-yogurt, which was previously inoculated with the probiotic starter stated earlier. The utilization of concentrations of 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% GA, namely B, C, and D, respectively, resulted in a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the viable count of L. rhamnosus compared to the control samples, namely A, with the highest number (18.93 × 109 CFU/ml) observed in treatment D containing 1% GA on the 14th day. Adding GA had a substantial impact on the moisture, protein, and fiber content of the samples, but it did not influence the percentage of fat. The treatment with 1% GA (D) exhibited the highest fiber content. The pH decreased gradually as GA concentration increased during storage. Furthermore, the yogurt with 1% and 0.75% GA (D and C) showed the highest viscosity measurements on the 14th day of storage. The addition of GA had a significant impact on all sensory attributes, except for flavor, which was only minimally affected. The grades for appearance and texture were improved as the GA content increased. Thus, it is recommended to incorporate L. rhamnosus in the production of yogurt, together with 1% GA as a prebiotic to enhance the nutritional composition, overall appeal, and survival rate of the probiotics employed in the fermentation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. As about 20–30% of patients exhibiting ER-positive phenotype are resistant to hormonal treatment with the standard drug tamoxifen, finding new therapies is a necessity. Postbiotics, metabolites, and macromolecules isolated from probiotic bacteria cultures have been proven to have sufficient bioactivity to exert prohealth and anticancer effects, making them viable adjunctive agents for the treatment of various neoplasms, including breast cancer. In the current study, postbiotics derived from L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus cultures were assessed on an in vitro breast cancer model as potential adjunctive agents to therapy utilizing tamoxifen and a candidate aziridine–hydrazide hydrazone derivative drug. Cell viability and cell death processes, including apoptosis, were analyzed for neoplastic MCF-7 cells treated with postbiotics and synthetic compounds. Cell cycle progression and proliferation were analyzed by PI-based flow cytometry and Ki-67 immunostaining. Postbiotics decreased viability and triggered apoptosis in MCF-7, modestly affecting the cell cycle and showing a lack of negative impact on normal cell viability. Moreover, they enhanced the cytotoxic effect of tamoxifen and the new candidate drug toward MCF-7, accelerating apoptosis and the inhibition of proliferation. This illustrates postbiotics' potential as natural adjunctive agents supporting anticancer therapy based on synthetic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Xanthan gum can be utilised to overcome the structural defects in alginate microbeads and to improve the stability of microbeads under harsh conditions, that is, high acidic pH and homogenisation speeds. Present study was conducted to assess the survival of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG using alginate (1.5% w/v) and xanthan gum (0.5% w/v) for encapsulation and structural modifications of microbeads. Homogenisation emulsion technique was used for encapsulation at various homogenisation speeds, that is, 3000 rpm (HS1), 6000 rpm (HS2), 9000 rpm (HS3) and 12 000 rpm (HS4). The resultant microbeads were characterised for diameter, beads yield, structural morphology using the scanning electron microscopy, probiotic count, bacterial survival, storage stability and homogenisation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the beads produced at 12 000 rpm are more uniform, spherical in shape and have large surface area when compared with the other treatment groups. The diameter of microbeads was reduced from 323.1 to 238.2 μm as the homogenisation speed increased from 3000 to 12 000 rpm. The highest bacterial count (i.e., 9.45 log CFU g−1), homogenisation efficiency (91.6%), beads yield (23.0%), survivability (86.5%) and storage stability (9.84 to 7.90 log CFU g−1) were recorded at 12 000 rpm (HS4). Conclusively, the homogenised encapsulated microbeads at 12 000 rpm significantly improved the beads surface and sphericity, and bacterial survivability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of new types of probiotics for animal nutrition mainly depends on the appropriate bacterial strain and efficient substrate. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of two probiotic strains containing 1.2 × 108 (CFU/g), produced on permeate media on performance responses of Rahmani ewes. Thirty early lactating ewes (about 2–3 years old and weighting on average 43.2 ± 0.3 kg) were randomly divided into three groups of 10 animals each using a completely randomized design. The 1st group was fed the basal diet (60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 30% Egyptian clover + 10% bean straw). While the ewes in 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the basal diet + 2 g of Enterococcus faecium NRC-3(EF) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LR), respectively for 9 weeks. Ewes' diet supplementation with EF or LR increased (p < 0.05) dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and non-structural carbohydrates digestibility compared to ewes of the control group. Glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations significantly increased in the blood of EF ewes than those of LR and control. Probiotics increased ewes' milk yield as well as milk protein, fat, and lactose yields, but no differences were observed between treatments when milk components were expressed as percentage. Milk fatty acids profile not changed due to EF or LR supplementation. Probiotics (E. faecium and L. rhamnosus) produced on cheese industry waste (permeate) have proven their ability to improve the productive performance of the lactating Rahmani ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance remains one of the greatest public health concerns. Biofilm formation has been postulated as a mechanism of microbial pathogens to resist antimicrobial agents. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and their metabolites have been proposed to combat bacterial biofilms due to their antimicrobial activity. In this vein, the aim of the present study was to investigate the biofilm removal potential of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of five wild-type Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains, isolated from Greek natural products, in comparison to the commercially available L. rhamnosus GG strain, against biofilms formed by common foodborne pathogens (Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus). The biofilm removal activity of LAB was assessed on a two-day-old mature biofilm using a microtiter plate-based procedure. Both non-neutralized and neutralized CFSs removed biofilms in a concentration-dependent manner. The biofilm removal activity of the non-neutralized CFSs was significantly higher compared to the neutralized CFSs, as expected, with ranges of 60–89% and 30–80%, respectively. The biofilm removal efficiency of L. rhamnosus OLXAL-3 was significantly higher among the wild-type L. rhamnosus strains tested (20–100% v/v). In conclusion, our results suggest the great potential of the application of wild-type L. rhamnosus strain' CFSs as effective natural agents against pathogenic bacterial biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been reported that pineapple (Ananas comosus) contains healthy nutrients and phytochemicals associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. However, a substantial amount of pineapple residue is produced due to a lack of valorization applications at the industrial scale, resulting in the loss of valuable nutrients. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is proposed as an innovative strategy to enhance the release of bound phenolics from pineapple residues. In this work, the effects of SSF of pineapple peels with Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Aspergillus oryzae on the release of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated, respectively. Pineapple peel extracts after SSF showed an increase in the release of phenolic compounds (248.11% with L. plantarum, 182% with A. oryzae, and 180.10% with L. rhamnosus), which led to an increase in the cellular antioxidant (81.94% with L. rhamnosus) and anti-inflammatory potential (nitric oxide inhibition of 62% with L. rhamnosus) compared to non-fermented extracts. Therefore, SSF of pineapple peels with L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and A. oryzae thrives as a new approach for the production of secondary metabolites with remarkable biological benefits, which can be the precursors for novel biofortified and nutraceutical-enriched foods that meet the needs of the most demanding and health-conscious consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. As about 20–30% of patients exhibiting ER-positive phenotype are resistant to hormonal treatment with the standard drug tamoxifen, finding new therapies is a necessity. Postbiotics, metabolites, and macromolecules isolated from probiotic bacteria cultures have been proven to have sufficient bioactivity to exert prohealth and anticancer effects, making them viable adjunctive agents for the treatment of various neoplasms, including breast cancer. In the current study, postbiotics derived from L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus cultures were assessed on an in vitro breast cancer model as potential adjunctive agents to therapy utilizing tamoxifen and a candidate aziridine–hydrazide hydrazone derivative drug. Cell viability and cell death processes, including apoptosis, were analyzed for neoplastic MCF-7 cells treated with postbiotics and synthetic compounds. Cell cycle progression and proliferation were analyzed by PI-based flow cytometry and Ki-67 immunostaining. Postbiotics decreased viability and triggered apoptosis in MCF-7, modestly affecting the cell cycle and showing a lack of negative impact on normal cell viability. Moreover, they enhanced the cytotoxic effect of tamoxifen and the new candidate drug toward MCF-7, accelerating apoptosis and the inhibition of proliferation. This illustrates postbiotics’ potential as natural adjunctive agents supporting anticancer therapy based on synthetic drugs.

ABSTRACTFermented foods and beverages are a significant source of dietary bacteria that enter the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, little is known about how these microbes survive and adapt to the small intestinal environment. Colony-forming units (CFU) enumeration and viability qPCR of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-3690 in the ileal effluent of 10 ileostomy subjects during 12-h post consumption of a dairy product fermented with this strain demonstrated the high level of survival of this strain during human small intestine passage. Metatranscriptome analyses revealed the in situ transcriptome of L. rhamnosus in the small intestine, which was contrasted with transcriptome data obtained from in vitro cultivation. These comparative analyses revealed substantial metabolic adaptations of L. rhamnosus during small intestine transit, including adjustments of carbohydrate metabolism, surface-protein expression, and translation machinery. The prominent presence of L. rhamnosus in the effluent samples did not elicit an appreciable effect on the composition of the endogenous small intestine microbiome, but significantly altered the ecosystem’s overall activity profile, particularly of pathways associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Strikingly, two of the previously recognized gut-brain metabolic modules expressed in situ by L. rhamnosus (inositol degradation and glutamate synthesis II) are among the most dominantly enriched activities in the ecosystem’s activity profile. This study establishes the survival capacity of L. rhamnosus in the human small intestine and highlights its functional adjustment in situ, which we postulate to play a role in the probiotic effects associated with this strain.

Human colostrum (HC) is essential for oral health as it is rich in probiotics that could affect the growth of the cariogenic S. mutans and its biofilm formation; hindering dental caries in advance. In this study, HC was collected from 36 healthy mothers 1–3 days postpartum. The effect of HC on oral health was carried out by assessing the impact of HC and its derived probiotics' cell-free supernatants (CFS) on the growth of S. mutans (using modified well diffusion) and its biofilm formation (using microtiter plate assay). Moreover, the effect of whole HC on L. rhamnosus, a probiotic oral bacterium, was examined. Probiotics were isolated and identified phenotypically by API 50 CH carbohydrate fermentation and genotypically by 16S rRNA amplification. The in vitro study revealed that HC has cariogenic activity and is associated with biofilm formation. Biofilm strength was inversely proportional to HC dilution (p-value < 0.0001). Nevertheless, HC and colostrum-derived probiotics improve oral health by inhibiting the growth of caries-inducing S. mutans with lower inhibition to L. rhamnosus probiotics. The CFS of isolated probiotics reduced the biofilm formation via the cariogenic S. mutans. These results are not only promising for caries eradication, but they also highlight the importance of breastfeeding infants from their first hours to shape healthy oral microbiota, protecting them from various diseases including dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk contaminated with aflatoxin can lead to liver cancer. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a serious animal feed contaminant, is transformed into Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and secreted in milk. In this study, a biological method using probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), was used to assess their antiaflatoxigenic effect in animal milk. A Box–Behnken design was used to establish the optimal ratio of L. rhamnosus and S. cerevisiae, incubation time, and temperature for efficient AFM1 detoxification from milk. To achieve this, the primary, interaction, and quadratic effects of the chosen factors were investigated. To investigate the quadratic response surfaces, a second-order polynomial model was built using a three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design. The quantity of AFM1 was detected by the ELISA technique. The results of these experiments obtained an optimum condition in AFM1 detoxification of the three tested factors in order to maximize their effect on AFM1 detoxification in milk. The model was tested in three highly contaminated milk samples to assure the efficacy of the model. AFM1 detoxification was up to 98.4% in contaminated milk samples. These promising results provide a safe, low-cost, and low-time-consuming solution to get rid of the problem of milk contamination with AFM1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are emerging prebiotic that may improve the viability of probiotics and gastrointestinal health. XOS derived from corncob was evaluated for its prebiotic activity with three different probiotic strains. The present study focused on XOS to encapsulate Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG) and explore it's in vitro survival & stability upon storage through structural interactive optimization of encapsulation materials. L. rhamnosus (LGG) showed the highest viability 9.86 ± 0.04 log CFU/mL upon XOS. Among three different carrier types namely, Sodium alginate (SA), Chitosan & Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), Whey protein liquid - maltodextrin complex, the SA showed the highest encapsulation efficiency 87.6 ± 0.1%, yield and cost effectiveness. XOS and SA were used for encapsulation of LGG with different formulations. The stability of free and encapsulated LGG was assessed using gastrointestinal conditions. All the treatments provided better encapsulation efficiency > 80 %. M2 formulation showed the highest encapsulation efficiency 92 ± 1%, maximum viability in simulated gastric juice 8.7 ± 0.1 log CFU/mL and bile solution 8.6 ± 0.2 log CFU/mL, resulting significantly (p < 0.05) improved survival when compared with free bacteria. The microcapsules were then incorporated into yoghurt and the results showed that there was an increased survival of probiotics because of the protection of cells by microencapsulation and the promoting effect of XOS on the probiotics growth. The XOS extracted from corncob was successfully incorporated as a prebiotic encapsulation material for effective delivery of L. rhamnosus LGG. The different combinations of wall materials with XOS provided an opportunity to produce beads with better structure and protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to evaluate goat milk rich in Omega-3 PUFA from animals fed extruded flaxseed as a raw material to produce fermented milk using beneficial lactobacilli. Experimental fermented milks were produced using Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota and two potential probiotic lactobacilli, namely Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus A2 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei FS109. The fermented milks were produced using milk from goats fed a basal diet without any supplementation (CON) and milk from goats supplemented with 200 g/d of extruded linseed (LIN). All lactobacilli tested grew well both in CON and LIN milk, reaching high numbers during fermentation. The colony count ranged between 8 and 10 Log CFU/mL, despite slow acidification activity, which occurred especially in milk fermented by L. FS109. By contrast, an undesired post-acidification occurred, more pronounced in CON than in LIN milk, which still highlighted the strong acid-tolerance of L. Shirota and L. rhamnosus A2 in particular. This research showed that goat milk enriched in PUFA had no negative effect on the viability of the tested Lactobacilli. Both values of L. Shirota and L. rhamnosus "live cells" throughout the cold storage of the products were higher than those recommended to guarantee the quality of fermented milk products, making them beneficial to consumers' health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a very important role as natural bio-preservatives in foods. Accordingly, the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) on 4 fungi species of Yarrowia, Penicillium expansum (P. expansum), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Kluyveromyces lactis (K. lactis) was investigated. Then P. expansum was selected as the most important contaminant mould in yoghurt to study the use of L. rhamnosus to reduce selective spoilage of P. expansum in yoghurt. Also, the effect of this bioprotective culture on the count of starter bacteria and some characteristics of yoghurt was determined. L. rhamnosus (106 cfu /mL) was inoculated into the milk along with yoghurt starter bacteria, so that four samples were produced T0 (L. rhamnosus = 0, P. expansum = 0), T1 (L. rhamnosus = 106 cfu/mL, P. expansum = 0), T2 (L. rhamnosus = 0, P. expansum = 105cfu/mL); T3 (L. rhamnosus = 106 cfu/mL, P. expansum = 105cfu/mL). All samples were analysed for pH, acidity, viscosity, syneresis, microbial (survival of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and P. expansum) and overall acceptability. L. rhamnosus had an inhibitory effect on the survival of P. expansum (p

A growing number of people choose plant-based milk products to replace dairy for health reasons or veganism. Since fermentation is a promising method to improve the nutritional value of plant-based milk, this study aimed to establish the process of oat milk fermentation and to evaluate the effect of fermented oat milk (FOM) on modulating antigen-specific immune response in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. The FOM was prepared by fermentation of oat milk with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and proteolytic L. rhamnosus. Addition of 1% glucose improved the process of fermentation. FOM was stable while stored at 4°C within seven days. Oral administration with FOM (0.4 and 2 g/kg body weight) did not alter the serum level of OVA-specific IgG and spleen index. However, FOM had comparable potency with commercial dairy yogurt to lower stimulation index, IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4 production and to promote TGF-β and IL-10 secretion by OVA-stimulated splenocytes.

Fish is considered the main source of protein in Egypt, especially due to the shortage of red meat. In this study, one hundred random samples of Nile fish represented by Clarias lazera (C. lazera) and Oreochromis niloticus (O. niloticus) (25 of each fish species) and marine fish represented by Sardina pilchardus (S. pilchardus) and Mullus barbatus (M. barbatus) (25 of each fish species) were collected at different periods of time from various fish markets in Shibin Elkom city, Egypt. The samples had been analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the detection of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). In addition to Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus ) used in decontamination of artificially inoculated fish fillet with different heavy metals. The mean values of Hg were 1.44 ± 0.03 of 1.13 ± 0.01, 0.81± 0.02 and 0.59± 0.01 mg/kg in C. lazera, O. niloticus, S. pilchardus and M. barbatus, respectively. Also, for Pb values were 0.78 ± 0.01, 0.61 ± 0.01, 0.39 ± 0.02 and 0.08 to 0.53 mg /kg C. lazera, O. niloticus, S. pilchardus and M.barbatus, respectively. The mean values of Cd were 0.43± 0.01, 0.26± 0.01, 0.04 to 0.49 and 0.05± 0.01mg/ kg in examined C. lazera, O. niloticus, S. pilchardus and M.barbatus, respectively. Meanwhile, as residues were 0.29± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.01 mg/kg in C. lazera and O. niloticus only. The L. Rhamnosus can reduce Hg, Pb, Cd and as experimentally inoculated to fish fillets with percentages 67.7%, 76.3%, 75% and 59%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance remains one of the greatest public health concerns. Biofilm formation has been postulated as a mechanism of microbial pathogens to resist antimicrobial agents. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and their metabolites have been proposed to combat bacterial biofilms due to their antimicrobial activity. In this vein, the aim of the present study was to investigate the biofilm removal potential of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of five wild-type Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains, isolated from Greek natural products, in comparison to the commercially available L. rhamnosus GG strain, against biofilms formed by common foodborne pathogens (Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus). The biofilm removal activity of LAB was assessed on a two-day-old mature biofilm using a microtiter plate-based procedure. Both non-neutralized and neutralized CFSs removed biofilms in a concentration-dependent manner. The biofilm removal activity of the non-neutralized CFSs was significantly higher compared to the neutralized CFSs, as expected, with ranges of 60–89% and 30–80%, respectively. The biofilm removal efficiency of L. rhamnosus OLXAL-3 was significantly higher among the wild-type L. rhamnosus strains tested (20–100% v/v). In conclusion, our results suggest the great potential of the application of wild-type L. rhamnosus strain’ CFSs as effective natural agents against pathogenic bacterial biofilms.

It has been reported that pineapple (Ananas comosus) contains healthy nutrients and phytochemicals associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. However, a substantial amount of pineapple residue is produced due to a lack of valorization applications at the industrial scale, resulting in the loss of valuable nutrients. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is proposed as an innovative strategy to enhance the release of bound phenolics from pineapple residues. In this work, the effects of SSF of pineapple peels with Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Aspergillus oryzae on the release of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated, respectively. Pineapple peel extracts after SSF showed an increase in the release of phenolic compounds (248.11% with L. plantarum, 182% with A. oryzae, and 180.10% with L. rhamnosus), which led to an increase in the cellular antioxidant (81.94% with L. rhamnosus) and anti-inflammatory potential (nitric oxide inhibition of 62% with L. rhamnosus) compared to non-fermented extracts. Therefore, SSF of pineapple peels with L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, and A. oryzae thrives as a new approach for the production of secondary metabolites with remarkable biological benefits, which can be the precursors for novel biofortified and nutraceutical-enriched foods that meet the needs of the most demanding and health-conscious consumers.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a very important role as natural bio-preservatives in foods. Accordingly, the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) on 4 fungi species of Yarrowia, Penicillium expansum (P. expansum), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), Aspergillus niger (A. niger), Kluyveromyces lactis (K. lactis) was investigated. Then P. expansum was selected as the most important contaminant mould in yoghurt to study the use of L. rhamnosus to reduce selective spoilage of P. expansum in yoghurt. Also, the effect of this bioprotective culture on the count of starter bacteria and some characteristics of yoghurt was determined. L. rhamnosus (106 cfu /mL) was inoculated into the milk along with yoghurt starter bacteria, so that four samples were produced T0 (L. rhamnosus = 0, P. expansum = 0), T1 (L. rhamnosus = 106 cfu/mL, P. expansum = 0), T2 (L. rhamnosus = 0, P. expansum = 105 cfu/mL); T3 (L. rhamnosus = 106 cfu/mL, P. expansum = 105 cfu/mL). All samples were analysed for pH, acidity, viscosity, syneresis, microbial (survival of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus and P. expansum) and overall acceptability. L. rhamnosus had an inhibitory effect on the survival of P. expansum (p<0.05) but was not able to completely control it. L. rhamnosus in T3 sample had an inhibitory effect from the first day to the end of storage. Furthermore, during the storage, the survival of yoghurt starter bacteria in probiotic yoghurt samples was higher than the control (p<0.05). T3 had lower pH, viscosity and overall acceptability score compared to the control and its syneresis was higher (p<0.05). In general, the addition of 106 cfu/mL of L. rhamnosus did not have a complete inhibitory effect on P. expansum (105 CFU/mL) until the end of storage time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperglycemia is a symptom of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose concentrations. Antidiabetic drugs are common treatments for this metabolic disorder; however, they may have unpleasant side effects. This study hypothesized that probiotic fermented products could preserve nutritional value, maintain metabolic homeostasis, and attenuate the inflammatory response associated with diabetes while reducing side effects. Lactobacillus plantarum KU985438 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus KU985439 showed the lowest alfa-amylase enzyme (α-amylase) activity among 8 lactobacilli tested. These 2 strains were used to develop functional fermented milk products, and their antidiabetic efficacy was tested in induced diabetic Wistar rats. The treatment of diabetic rats with L. plantarum KU985438 or L. rhamnosus KU985439 fermented yogurt resulted in a considerable reduction in blood glucose concentrations (136.79% and 145.17%, respectively) and α-amylase concentrations (56.84% and 56.84%, respectively) compared with conventional treatments. Diabetes relief began after 4 days of yogurt consumption compared with drug-based treatment. Significant improvements in both liver and kidney enzyme concentrations were also observed, in addition to a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and improved lipid profiles. Inhibition in nuclear factor κB and an increase in Bcl-2 concentrations were also detected. Histopathological examination of both hepatic and pancreatic cells revealed the positive effects of the studied treatment compared with standard treatment. Therefore, the selected Lactobacilli, which has hypoglycemic potential, could be used to produce functional nutraceutical antidiabetic supplements. [Display omitted] Functional yogurts were produced using the lowest α-amylase active lactobacilli. Both histopathological examinations and blood tests of Lactobacillus -fermented yogurt-treated groups confirmed the alleviation of diabetes by the hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-inflammatory effects. These data reinforce the importance of probiotics as functional nutraceutical antidiabetic supplements. α‒amylase, alfa-amylase enzyme; STZ, streptozotocin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of people choose plant-based milk products to replace dairy for health reasons or veganism. Since fermentation is a promising method to improve the nutritional value of plant-based milk, this study aimed to establish the process of oat milk fermentation and to evaluate the effect of fermented oat milk (FOM) on modulating antigen-specific immune response in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. The FOM was prepared by fermentation of oat milk with Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and proteolytic L. rhamnosus. Addition of 1% glucose improved the process of fermentation. FOM was stable while stored at 4°C within seven days. Oral administration with FOM (0.4 and 2 g/kg body weight) did not alter the serum level of OVA-specific IgG and spleen index. However, FOM had comparable potency with commercial dairy yogurt to lower stimulation index, IL-2, IFN-γ and IL-4 production and to promote TGF-β and IL-10 secretion by OVA-stimulated splenocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human colostrum (HC) is essential for oral health as it is rich in probiotics that could affect the growth of the cariogenic S. mutans and its biofilm formation; hindering dental caries in advance. In this study, HC was collected from 36 healthy mothers 1–3 days postpartum. The effect of HC on oral health was carried out by assessing the impact of HC and its derived probiotics’ cell-free supernatants (CFS) on the growth of S. mutans (using modified well diffusion) and its biofilm formation (using microtiter plate assay). Moreover, the effect of whole HC on L. rhamnosus, a probiotic oral bacterium, was examined. Probiotics were isolated and identified phenotypically by API 50 CH carbohydrate fermentation and genotypically by 16S rRNA amplification. The in vitro study revealed that HC has cariogenic activity and is associated with biofilm formation. Biofilm strength was inversely proportional to HC dilution (p-value < 0.0001). Nevertheless, HC and colostrum-derived probiotics improve oral health by inhibiting the growth of caries-inducing S. mutans with lower inhibition to L. rhamnosus probiotics. The CFS of isolated probiotics reduced the biofilm formation via the cariogenic S. mutans. These results are not only promising for caries eradication, but they also highlight the importance of breastfeeding infants from their first hours to shape healthy oral microbiota, protecting them from various diseases including dental caries.

Foodborne pathogens and their biofilms pose a risk to human health through food chain. However, the bacteriocin resources combating this threat are still limited. Here, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, one of the most used probiotics in food industry, was prepared on a large scale using alternating tangential flow (ATF) perfusion-based technology. Compared to the conventional fed-batch approach, ATF perfusion remarkably increased the viable cells of L. rhamnosus CLK 101 to 11.93 ± 0.14 log CFU/mL. Based on obtained viable cells, we purified and characterized a novel bacteriocin CLK_01 with a broad spectrum of activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative foodborne pathogens. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that CLK_01 has a molecular mass of 701.49 Da and a hydrophobic amino acid composition of I–K–K–V-T-I. As a novel bacteriocin, CLK_01 showed high thermal stability and acid-base tolerance over 25–121 °C and pH 2–10. It significantly reduced cell viability of bacterial pathogens (p

Influenza is an important zoonotic disease that persistently threatens global public health. While it is widely acknowledged that probiotics can modulate the host response to protect the host against infectious disease, the prophylactic efficacy on respiratory viral infection and the detailed mechanism remains elusive. Lactobacillus , the most commonly used probiotic widely applied in food production, has garnered significant attention. In our study utilizing both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse models, we explored the protective effect against two strains of influenza virus, A/Mink/China/01/2014(H9N2) and A/California/04/2009(H1N1), through the administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strain 16 ( L. plantarum 16) and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strain P118 ( L. rhamnosus P118), aiming to identify robust probiotic strains with antiviral properties. Our findings indicate that administering L. plantarum 16 or L. rhamnosus P118 alone does not provide sufficient protection against influenza. However, the co-administration of L. plantarum 16 and L. rhamnosus P118 dramatically reduces viral titers in the respiratory tract and lung, thereby markedly alleviating the clinical symptoms, improving prognosis, and reducing mortality. The mechanisms underlying this effect involve the modulation of host gut microbiota and metabolism through the co-administration of L. plantarum 16 and L. rhamnosus P118, resulting in enrichment of Firmicutes and enhancement of phenylalanine-related metabolism, ultimately leading to an augmentation of the antiviral immune response. Notably, we identified that the circulating metabolic molecule 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid plays a significant role in combating influenza. Our data suggest the potential utility of L. plantarum 16 and L. rhamnosus P118 two-bacterium or 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid in preventing influenza.IMPORTANCEVaccination represents the most optimal strategy to control influenza. Nevertheless, influenza viruses constantly evolve due to antigenic drift and shift, leading to the need for regular updates on influenza vaccines. Additionally, vaccination failure poses significant challenges to influenza prevention. Therefore, it is essential and beneficial to identify novel or universal antiviral measures to protect against influenza. While cumulative data suggest that probiotics offer protection against infectious diseases, the specific mechanisms, such as the effective metabolites or components, remain largely unknown. Our research discovered the capacity of combinational two-bacterium Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 16 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus P118 to fight against influenza infection in a mouse model. The protection may occur through modulating the host's gut microbiota and metabolism, further influencing the host's antiviral immune response. Notably, we have identified a novel metabolic molecule, 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid, capable of enhancing antiviral response and restricting viral replication in vivo ., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Probiotics are exposed to a variety of abiotic and biotic stresses during food fermentation and production, such as acidity, heat, osmolality, and oxidation, which affect their metabolic activity and efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to develop new protective agents to maintain the activity and stability of probiotics. This study introduces a new protectant, spray-dried whey protein isolate (WPI) and isomaltose (ISO). We evaluated the effects of four WPI-ISO ratios (1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2) on the physical properties, including moisture content, water activity (aw), wettability, and glass transition temperature. In addition, we evaluated the environmental tolerance of Lactobacillus rhamnosus to different WPI-ISO ratios under thermal, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results showed that the moisture content (< 7 %) and water activity (< 0.3) of the protectant and probiotic powders met storage stability requirements. The moisture content, water activity, wettability index (WI), and glass transition temperature decreased significantly with the addition of isomalt, thereby improving the pressure resistance of L. rhamnosus through the synergistic effect of WPI and ISO. The WPI-ISO protectant not only improved the environmental tolerance and wettability of probiotics by reducing the moisture content and water activity but also significantly improved the survival rate of L. rhamnosus under various stress conditions such as high temperature and gastrointestinal environment. L. rhamnosus maintains good activity with a viable bacterial count of over 9 lg CFU/g after 90 days of storage, demonstrating effective protection against the environment stress. This study provides a promising new strategy to improve the stability of probiotics in the food industry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared that no competing interest exist. This manuscript has not been published and is not under consideration for publication in any other journal. We certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Milk contaminated with aflatoxin can lead to liver cancer. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a serious animal feed contaminant, is transformed into Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and secreted in milk. In this study, a biological method using probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) in combination with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae), was used to assess their antiaflatoxigenic effect in animal milk. A Box–Behnken design was used to establish the optimal ratio of L. rhamnosus and S. cerevisiae, incubation time, and temperature for efficient AFM1 detoxification from milk. To achieve this, the primary, interaction, and quadratic effects of the chosen factors were investigated. To investigate the quadratic response surfaces, a second-order polynomial model was built using a three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken design. The quantity of AFM1 was detected by the ELISA technique. The results of these experiments obtained an optimum condition in AFM1 detoxification of the three tested factors in order to maximize their effect on AFM1 detoxification in milk. The model was tested in three highly contaminated milk samples to assure the efficacy of the model. AFM1 detoxification was up to 98.4% in contaminated milk samples. These promising results provide a safe, low-cost, and low-time-consuming solution to get rid of the problem of milk contamination with AFM1.

This research aimed to evaluate goat milk rich in Omega-3 PUFA from animals fed extruded flaxseed as a raw material to produce fermented milk using beneficial lactobacilli. Experimental fermented milks were produced using Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota and two potential probiotic lactobacilli, namely Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus A2 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei FS109. The fermented milks were produced using milk from goats fed a basal diet without any supplementation (CON) and milk from goats supplemented with 200 g/d of extruded linseed (LIN). All lactobacilli tested grew well both in CON and LIN milk, reaching high numbers during fermentation. The colony count ranged between 8 and 10 Log CFU/mL, despite slow acidification activity, which occurred especially in milk fermented by L. FS109. By contrast, an undesired post-acidification occurred, more pronounced in CON than in LIN milk, which still highlighted the strong acid-tolerance of L. Shirota and L. rhamnosus A2 in particular. This research showed that goat milk enriched in PUFA had no negative effect on the viability of the tested Lactobacilli. Both values of L. Shirota and L. rhamnosus “live cells” throughout the cold storage of the products were higher than those recommended to guarantee the quality of fermented milk products, making them beneficial to consumers’ health.

During fermentation and food processing, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 can encounter many adverse conditions, and acid stress is one of them. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of acid stress on the global translational and transcriptional regulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103. Two pH values (pH 6.0 vs. pH 5.0) were applied, the effects of which were studied via ribosome profiling and RNA sequencing assay. Under acid stress, many genes showed differential changes at the translational and transcriptional levels. A total of 10 genes showed different expression trends at the two levels. The expression of 337 genes—which mainly participated in the ABC transporters, amino acid metabolism, and ribosome functional group assembly pathways—was shown to be regulated only at the translational level. The translational efficiency of a few genes participating in the pyrimidine and amino acid metabolism pathways were upregulated. Ribosome occupancy data suggested that ribosomes accumulated remarkably in the elongation region of open reading frame regions under acid stress. This study provides new insights into Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 gene expression under acid stress, and demonstrates that the bacterium can respond to acid stress with synergistic translational and transcriptional regulation mechanisms, improving the vitality of cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether osmotic pressure affects the translation efficiency of Lactobacillus rhamnosus , the ribosome profiling assay was performed to analyze the changes in translation efficiency in L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103. Under osmotic stress, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, ribosome, and purine metabolism pathways were co-regulated with consistent expression direction at translation and transcription levels. DEGs involved in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, and the phosphotransferase system pathways also were co-regulated at translation and transcription levels, while they showed opposite expression direction at two levels. Moreover, DEGs involved in the two-component system, amino acid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism pathways were only regulated at the transcription level. And DEGs involved in fructose and mannose metabolism were only regulated at the translation level. The translation efficiency of DEGs involved in the biosynthesis of amino acids was downregulated while in quorum sensing and PTS pathways was upregulated. In addition, the ribosome footprints accumulated in open reading frame regions resulted in impaired translation initiation and elongation under osmotic stress. In summary, L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103 could respond to osmotic stress by translation regulation and control the balance between survival and growth of cells by transcription and translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether osmotic pressure affects the translation efficiency of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the ribosome profiling assay was performed to analyze the changes in translation efficiency in L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103. Under osmotic stress, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, ribosome, and purine metabolism pathways were co-regulated with consistent expression direction at translation and transcription levels. DEGs involved in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, and the phosphotransferase system pathways also were co-regulated at translation and transcription levels, while they showed opposite expression direction at two levels. Moreover, DEGs involved in the two-component system, amino acid metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism pathways were only regulated at the transcription level. And DEGs involved in fructose and mannose metabolism were only regulated at the translation level. The translation efficiency of DEGs involved in the biosynthesis of amino acids was downregulated while in quorum sensing and PTS pathways was upregulated. In addition, the ribosome footprints accumulated in open reading frame regions resulted in impaired translation initiation and elongation under osmotic stress. In summary, L. rhamnosus ATCC 53103 could respond to osmotic stress by translation regulation and control the balance between survival and growth of cells by transcription and translation.

The present work aimed at characterizing in vitro the lactic acid bacteria Fructobacillus fructosus SS66, Lactococcus garvieae SS79, Fructobacillus fructosus SS72, Lactobacillus kunkeei SS70, Lactobacillus rhamnosus SS73, isolated from the digestive tract of bees Apis mellifera. Their probiotic capacity was evaluated by enzymatic tests, growth stability at different temperatures (37 and 45°C) at a range of pH (3.5; 4.5; 5.5; 5.5; 6.5), tolerance to artificial gastric juice (AGJ), bile salts (0.3, 05 and 1 %), and adhesion tests such as aggregation, self-aggregation and hydrophobicity and microbial antagonism. The results showed that all strains grew at 37°C at acidic pH 6.5 and 5.5 and did not grow at pH 4.5; they produced hydrogen peroxide and did not reveal hemolytic activity. The strains tolerated AGJ pH 3 for 3 h at 37 °C and bile salts up to 1%. No strain showed self-aggregation and only two (L. rhamnosus SS73 and L. kunkeei SS70) produced coaggregation against Escherichia coli. Hydrophobicity was variable among the strains, F. fructosus SS72 exhibiting a high value, L. rhamnosus SS73 and L. kunkeei SS70 a medium value and L. garvieae SS79 and F. fructosus SS66 a low one. All strains showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and inhibitory effect against Paenibacillus larvae and other human and animal pathogens. The best-performing strains were L. kunkeei SS70 and L. rhamnosus SS73, which were susceptible to the antimicrobial agents used, with the exception of Sulfonamide and Vancomycin. From these results, they can be incorporated into a probiotic inoculum to evaluate their effect in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During fermentation and food processing, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 can encounter many adverse conditions, and acid stress is one of them. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of acid stress on the global translational and transcriptional regulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103. Two pH values (pH 6.0 vs. pH 5.0) were applied, the effects of which were studied via ribosome profiling and RNA sequencing assay. Under acid stress, many genes showed differential changes at the translational and transcriptional levels. A total of 10 genes showed different expression trends at the two levels. The expression of 337 genes—which mainly participated in the ABC transporters, amino acid metabolism, and ribosome functional group assembly pathways—was shown to be regulated only at the translational level. The translational efficiency of a few genes participating in the pyrimidine and amino acid metabolism pathways were upregulated. Ribosome occupancy data suggested that ribosomes accumulated remarkably in the elongation region of open reading frame regions under acid stress. This study provides new insights into Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 gene expression under acid stress, and demonstrates that the bacterium can respond to acid stress with synergistic translational and transcriptional regulation mechanisms, improving the vitality of cells.

Background: Infantile colic is a disturbing problem for parents. The Rome IV criteria are the last modality for the diagnosis of colic. Available medications have variable effects on the treatment of colic. However, no definite treatment has been identified yet. Aims: To our knowledge, few clinical trials have compared the efficacy of synbiotics in infantile colic, so the present study was conducted. Material and methods: This study was performed on 120 infants (51.66% boys; mean age: 42.09 ± 21.14 days; mean birth weight: 3,155 ± 420 g) with the diagnosis of infantile colic resistant to conservative therapy. The infants were randomly divided into groups A and B. A synbiotic containing B. infantis, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) (PediLact® [Zist-Takhmir Co., Tehran, Iran] drop) was administered to group A, while group B received a synbiotic containing B. lactis and FOS (BBCare® [Zist-Takhmir Co., Tehran, Iran] drop). The primary outcome was the response rate to each synbiotic, and the secondary outcome was the complications of each synbiotic. Results: The response rate to both synbiotics was significant after 1 week of intervention (1.97 ± 0.91 [44.95%] versus 1.64 ± 0.77 [54.23%], p = 0.000). Both groups showed a significant response rate to each synbiotic after 1 month of intervention too (1.19 ± 0.84 [63.48%] versus 0.70 ± 0.48 [79.65%], p = 0.000). The response rate was significantly higher in group B compared to group A after 1 week (54.23% versus 44.95%) and after 1 month (79.65% versus 63.48%) of intervention. Neither synbiotic was associated with adverse effects. Conclusion: The present study showed that both synbiotics were effective in the treatment of infantile colic. However, the synbiotic containing B. lactis was significantly more effective than the synbiotic containing B. infantis, L. reuteri, and L. rhamnosus in infantile colic.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the influence of femoral shaft fracture on systemic inflammation and gut microbiome in adolescent rats and evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and its regulation of intestinal flora, as well as illustrate the mechanism by which LGG ameliorates the inflammatory response and restores intestinal dysbacteriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats of 5 to 6 weeks of age were subjected to a standard femoral shaft fracture and internally fixed with LGG supplementation in advance or on the same day of injury or with saline solution for 1 week. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and CRP were assessed using standard protocols. Furthermore, gut microbiota composition was analyzed in the fecal samples using 16S rDNA gene sequencing, and the relationship between gut microbiota variation and inflammatory response was tested. RESULTS: The serum indices of the above-mentioned inflammatory cytokines were significantly increased, and the gut microbial balance was significantly disturbed in adolescent rats by diaphyseal fractures of the femur and surgery. Moreover, L. rhamnosus strains manipulated the gut microbiota by decreasing the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and increasing that of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which in turn increased the levels of IL-10 and alleviated the levels of IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: L GG e xhibited a nti-inflammatory effects by alleviating the inflammatory response and regulating the gut microbiota in adolescent rats who underwent skeletal fracture and surgery. Our results suggested that the L. rhamnosus strains could be considered as an alternative dietary supplement for the prevention or treatment of skeletal injury and its associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (KCC-51) and Lactobacillus paracasei (KCC-52) were isolated and investigated for their biological potential including antibacterial activity, probiotic potential, nutritional changes, fermentation ability, and microbial population in experimental silages at high moisture (HM) and low moisture (LM) conditions. These strains showed significant antibacterial activity and probiotic activities. There are no significant changes in the dry matter content (DM) and nutritional profiles of control, KCC-51, and KCC-52 treated silages. High lactic acid (LA) and low butyric acid (BA) levels were noted in the HM (LA: 4.82 ± 0.34 and 5.5 ± 0.03, BA: 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.008 ± 0.001, %DM) and LM (LA: 2.27 ± 0.32 and 2.61 ± 0.2, BA: 0.017 ± 0.001 vs. 0.006 ± 0.05, %DM) silages treated with KCC-51 and KCC-52 respectively, compared to non-inoculated silages. KCC-51 and KCC-52 treatment increased acceptable range of acetic acid (AA) in HM (0.33 ± 0.02 and 0.24 ± 0.007, %DM) and LM (0.22 ± 0.007 and 0.35 ± 0.02, %DM) silages compared to non-inoculated silages (0.22 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.05, %DM). Rich LAB and low yeast counts were noted in the silages treated with KCC-51 and KCC-52, it indicated that the addition of these inoculants strongly dominated the enterobacterial growth and preserved the silage quality with essential metabolites. It suggests that L. rhamnosus and the L. paracasei could be used as potent inoculants for the silage production with enriched nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies suggest that probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic foods may be beneficial in the prevention and management of nutrition and health, the objective of this work was to develop a symbiotic drink based on coconut water. Fermentation was performed using lyophilized Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 and inulin as a source of soluble fiber. Different formulations were developed, determining the concentrations of fiber and probiotics. The growth of the probiotic in MRS broth was evaluated, using the plate counting technique in different periods of time. The fermentation time of the drink was 8 h and the shelf life in refrigeration was 14 days evaluated by pH and hedonic scale. The pH of the final drink was 3.48 and the probiotic content was 82 × 10 8 CFU/ml. It is concluded that coconut water can be processed by adding probiotic and prebiotic characteristics with sensory acceptance and adequate preservation characteristics.

This research work assessed the antibacterial properties of probiotic bacterial which was isolated from breast milk. The breast milk has a distinct amalgamation of minerals, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and various vitamins that endorse the proper development, growth and immunity of the children. That's the reason behind it's consideration to be a comprehensive and inclusive food for new born babies. Furthermore, it is also abundant in various bioactive compounds which encourage the maturation of the immune system over and above develop body's defense against infections. This research used a standard methodology to isolate the bacterial. In the midst of these bioactive agents, probiotic bacteria were properly isolated from human milk in this research work by means of selective MRS media. Five Lactobacillus spp. were isolated from every one of the three breast milk samples and two Enterococcus species, were observed as potential probiotics, and identified using morphological and biochemical tests which includes L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. casei, L. fermentum, L. acidophilus, En. faecalis and En. faecium. The isolated bacteria were facultative anaerobic, catalase negative, gram positive and non-endospore forming. Sugar fermentation arrangements of equally isolated bacteria also significantly different. The adding up of breast milk probiotics to children formulas possibly will be an innovative substitute to mimic some of the purposeful consequences of human milk in children who are not breastfed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome texture and flavor challenges in fermented plant-based product development, the potential of microorganisms is generating great interest in the food industry. This study examines the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on physicochemical properties of fermented soy, oat, and coconut. L. rhamnosus was combined with different lactic acid bacteria strains and Bifidobacterium. Acidification, titratable acidity, and viability of L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium were evaluated. Oscillation and flow tests were performed to characterize rheological properties of fermented samples. Targeted and untargeted volatile organic compounds in fermented samples were assessed, and sensory evaluation with a trained panel was conducted. L. rhamnosus reduced fermentation time in soy, oat, and coconut. L. rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium grew in all fermented raw materials above 107 CFU/g. No significant effect on rheological behavior was observed when L. rhamnosus was present in fermented samples. Acetoin levels increased and acetaldehyde content decreased in the presence of L. rhamnosus in all three bases. Diacetyl levels increased in fermented oat and coconut samples when L. rhamnosus was combined with a starter culture containing Streptococcus thermophilus and with another starter culture containing S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium. In all fermented oat samples, L. rhamnosus significantly enhanced fermented flavor notes, such as sourness, lemon, and fruity taste, which in turn led to reduced perception of base-related attributes. In fermented coconut samples, gel firmness perception was significantly improved with L. rhamnosus. The findings suggest that L. rhamnosus can improve fermentation time and sensory perception of fermented plant-based products.

Double-strand breaks in the DNA of the small intestine in male Wistar rats were studied using a neutral comet assay after 7 days of feeding with a single strain probiotic formulation Narine (Vitamax-E, Armenia), containing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain Er-2317/402 Narine, and putative probiotics L. rhamnosus Vahe and L. delbrueckii IAHAHI. Type 0 (undamaged DNA), type 1 (head diameter 13.18–17.08 μm), and type 2 (14.15-μm head diameter) damaged DNA comets were studied in control and lactobacilli-fed rats using the neutral comet assay. Lactobacilli-fed rats were shown to carry only type 0 (undamaged) DNA. Thus, the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain INMIA 9602 Er 317/402 and putative probiotic lactobacilli on DNA damage in the small intestine of Wistar rats in vivo was shown, and the neutral comet assay is suggested as a potential tool for the in vivo selection of putative probiotics with DNA-protective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain ASCC 1520 with high soy isoflavone transformation ability was used to ferment soymilk and added to the diet of mice. The impact of L. rhamnosus fermentation on soy isoflavone metabolites and intestinal bacterial community, in conjunction with fecal enzyme activity and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) excretion was evaluated. Antibiotics intervention resulted in a decrease in fecal enzyme activities and SCFA. Although long‐term intake of soymilk or L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk did not affect the fecal β‐glucuronidase and β‐galactosidase activities, it improved the β‐glucosidase activity when antibiotics were concomitantly administered. Soymilk or fermented soymilk administration increased the isoflavone metabolites (O‐DMA and equol) excreted in urine. Antibiotics decreased the daidzein excretion and its metabolites but showed little effect on glycitein and genistein excretion. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) of the 16s rRNA gene sequencing data found a remarkable shift in gut microbiota after soymilk administration and antibiotics treatment. Matastats test of the relative abundance of bacterial taxa revealed Odoribacter (Bacteroidales family), Lactobacillus (Lactobacillales order), and Alistipes (Rikenellaceae family) were enriched in soymilk while bacterial taxa from Bacteroides and Lactobacillus were enriched in L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk. Furthermore, there was less decrease in bacterial taxa with fermented soymilk group even when antibiotics were concomitantly administered. Overall, this study revealed that the gut microbiota of a healthy host is enough for the whole isoflavone metabolism under normal conditions. Feeding mice with L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk improved fecal enzyme activity and kept the balance of the gut mirobiota when antibiotics were used. Practical Application: Feeding mice with L. rhamnosus‐fermented soymilk improved fecal enzyme activity and kept the balance of the gut mirobiota when antibiotics were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we report on the formation and resilience of Lactobacillus reuteri HFI-LD5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HFI-K2 biofilms cultivated in a CO2 evolution measurement system (CEMS) and exposed to biologically relevant, fasting-state gastrointestinal fluids under continuous flow conditions. For comparative purposes, planktonic and sessile populations of L. reuteri HFI-LD5 and L. rhamnosus HFI-K2 were each exposed to fasting-state gastric fluid (FSGF, pH 2.0) for 2 h, fasting-state intestinal fluid (FSIF, pH 7.5) for 6 h, and simulated colonic fluid (SCoF, pH 7.0) for 24 h. Planktonic cell numbers of L. reuteri HFI-LD5 declined from 6.6 log10 CFU/mL to 3.2 log10 CFU/mL and L. rhamnosus HFI-K2 from 6.6 log10 CFU/mL to undetectable levels after exposure to FSGF. Limited loss in viability was observed when free-floating cells were exposed to FSIF and SCoF. Sessile populations of both strains survived and recovered from the sequential exposure to all three gastric fluids despite observed detachment of biofilm biomass and a temporary decrease in metabolic activity to below detection limits, as recorded by changes in whole-biofilm CO2 production rates. The planktonic cell-focused gut microbiome-related research has most likely caused an underestimation in the overall survival ability of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Sessile cells of L. reuteri HFI-LD5 were metabolically inactive when exposed to gastric (FSGF) and intestinal (FSIF) fluids, suggesting that biofilms are formed in the small intestinal tract as survival mechanism. In the case of L. rhamnosus HFI-K2, cells were released from biofilms when suddenly exposed to pH 2.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of microencapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus in the production of probiotic bitter chocolate on probiotic viable cell count and sensory properties during storage at different temperatures. L. rhamnosus used in the production of probiotic chocolate was microencapsulated by extrusion technique and probiotic chocolate was stored at two different temperature (4oC and 25oC) throughout 60 days. The microencapsulation provided resistance to probiotic cultures at chocolate melting temperatures. While storage at 4oC was found more convenient to protect the survival of probiotic cells, storage at 25oC caused a serious decline in probiotic viability of tested microorganism in chocolates. As a result, microencapsulation technique and storage under refrigerator conditions (at 4oC) has been suggested to ensure the stability of probiotic cells in bitter chocolate production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus strains dominate the vaginal habitat and they are associated with a lower risk of genital infections. In addition, they contribute to the conservation of the vaginal microbiota by producing postbiotic agents. Previous studies have shown that their predominance involves antimicrobial activity against urogenital pathologies. In this context, probiotics may improve treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the probiotic properties of lactobacilli strains of vaginal origin using a multidisciplinary approach. For this purpose, safety criteria, ability to resist at low pH and bile salts, antimicrobial activity, ability to produce biofilm, capacity to produce hydrogen peroxide and more importantly, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation (with Candida spp.) and adhesion to human cells were evaluated. The strains belonged to the species of L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. rhamnosus and L. delbruckii. Among these, a strain of L. rhamnosus named AD3 showed the best probiotic properties. As probiotics are already in use in many clinical practice and there are no major safety concerns, L. rhamnosus AD3 showed promise in becoming a prevention and complementary treatment option for urogenital diseases. Indeed, these results suggest that strain L. rhamnosus AD3 is non-pathogenic and likely to be safe for human consumption. This study revealed the great amensalistic properties of a new L. rhamnosus strain which can aim to be used as probiotic in pharmaceutical applications.

In the current study, Lactobacillus rhamnosus (KCC-51) and Lactobacillus paracasei (KCC-52) were isolated and investigated for their biological potential including antibacterial activity, probiotic potential, nutritional changes, fermentation ability, and microbial population in experimental silages at high moisture (HM) and low moisture (LM) conditions. These strains showed significant antibacterial activity and probiotic activities. There are no significant changes in the dry matter content (DM) and nutritional profiles of control, KCC-51, and KCC-52 treated silages. High lactic acid (LA) and low butyric acid (BA) levels were noted in the HM (LA: 4.82 ± 0.34 and 5.5 ± 0.03, BA: 0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.008 ± 0.001, %DM) and LM (LA: 2.27 ± 0.32 and 2.61 ± 0.2, BA: 0.017 ± 0.001 vs. 0.006 ± 0.05, %DM) silages treated with KCC-51 and KCC-52 respectively, compared to non-inoculated silages. KCC-51 and KCC-52 treatment increased acceptable range of acetic acid (AA) in HM (0.33 ± 0.02 and 0.24 ± 0.007, %DM) and LM (0.22 ± 0.007 and 0.35 ± 0.02, %DM) silages compared to non-inoculated silages (0.22 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.05, %DM). Rich LAB and low yeast counts were noted in the silages treated with KCC-51 and KCC-52, it indicated that the addition of these inoculants strongly dominated the enterobacterial growth and preserved the silage quality with essential metabolites. It suggests that L. rhamnosus and the L. paracasei could be used as potent inoculants for the silage production with enriched nutrients.

[Display omitted] • Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus TF318 is expected to influence the gut-brain axis. • In CORT-treated rats, both TF318 and fluoxetine prevents depressive behaviour. • TF318 administration reversed CORT-induced abnormalities in the gut microbiota. • TF318 appears to act by a pathway involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Growing evidence suggests that probiotics can ameliorate depression by regulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, the mechanism of action of probiotics in depressive disorders remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus TF318 in a corticosterone (CORT)-induced rat model of depression. The sucrose preference test (SPT) and Morris water maze (MWM) test showed that oral administration of L. rhamnosus TF318 for 21 d significantly prevented depressive behaviors. Administration of L. rhamnosus TF318 resulted in lower hippocampal levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticotropin-releasing factor and serum levels of CORT and restoration of hippocampal levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, and norepinephrine. A marked increase was observed in the hippocampal concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a change that may have involved the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/cAMP response element-binding (CREB)/BDNF signaling pathway. Treatment with L. rhamnosus TF318 corrected CORT-induced abnormalities in the gut microbiota, significantly increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes. In conclusion, supplementation with L. rhamnosus TF318 prevented CORT-induced depressive behaviors by upregulating BDNF expression and modulating gut microbiota, suggesting that this strain has the potential as a novel probiotic with antidepressant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible films are promising carriers for probiotics and can be composed by agrifood residues, which are usually rich in polymers and bioactive compounds. In this work, starch-based films were enriched with three types of agrifood residues (quince, potato and orange peels) and the incorporation of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus was studied, as well as the addition of inulin as a protective prebiotic. The resulting films were characterized in terms of mechanical properties, physicochemical properties, lactobacilli viability and microbiological properties. The mechanical properties of the films generally decreased with the introduction of L. rhamnosus , although this was highly dependent on the film composition. All films exhibited water vapor permeabilities in the typical range of starch-based films and were not greatly affected by the inclusion of probiotics. The loss of probiotic viability during films production was strongly related to the pH of the film-forming solutions. Films with agrifood residues had a slower loss of probiotic viability during storage, when compared to plain starch films, which may be explained by the presence of antioxidant compounds. Inulin was expected to improve viability, but this was not observed. Microbiological analysis showed that agrifood residues powders contained natural contaminant bacteria that were partially eliminated during film formation. Moreover, none of the target foodborne pathogens were detected in the analyzed samples. Overall, the results suggest that edible films containing agrifood residues can be a promising material for the delivery of probiotics and/or as primary packaging for some food products. • L. rhamnosus incorporated into starch-based edible films with agrifood residues. • Valorization of potato, orange, and quince peels agrifood residues. • Probiotic viability highly dependent of the pH of the film-forming solutions. • Addition of agrifood components slows down loss of viability during storage. • Reduction of bacterial contamination from agrifood residues during film preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texture and flavor are currently the main challenges in the development of plant-based dairy alternatives. To overcome them, the potential of microorganisms for fermentation of plant-based raw materials is generating great interest in the food industry. This study examines the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG® (LGG® is a trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S) on the physicochemical properties of fermented soy, oat, and coconut. LGG® was combined with different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and Bifidobacterium, BB-12® (BB-12® is a trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S). Acidification, titratable acidity, and growth of LGG® and BB-12® were evaluated. Oscillation and flow tests were performed to analyze the rheological properties of fermented samples. Acids, carbohydrates, and volatile organic compounds in fermented samples were identified, and a sensory evaluation with a trained panel was conducted. LGG® reduced fermentation time in all three bases. LGG® and BB-12® grew in all fermented raw materials above 107 CFU/g. LGG® had no significant effect on rheological behavior of the samples. Acetoin levels increased and acetaldehyde content decreased in the presence of LGG® in all three bases. Diacetyl levels increased in fermented oat and coconut samples when LGG® was combined with YOFLEX® YF-L01 and NU-TRISH® BY-01 (YOFLEX® and NU-TRISH® are trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S). In all fermented oat samples, LGG® significantly enhanced fermented flavor notes, such as sourness, lemon, and fruity taste, which in turn led to reduced perception of the attributes related to the base. In fermented coconut samples, gel firmness perception was significantly improved in the presence of LGG®. These findings suggest supplementation of LAB cultures with LGG® to improve fermentation time and sensory perception of fermented plant-based products.

The genus Lactobacillus includes, among others, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, species that are collectively referred to as the Lactobacillus casei group. Many studies have shown that strains belonging to this group may decrease lactose intolerance, the effects of inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, constipation, food allergies and even colon cancer. Moreover, evidences exists of positive effects of these bacteria on mucosal immunity and blood cholesterol level. Because of their beneficial influence on human health, many of them are used as food additives and probiotic pharmaceuticals. It should be stressed that health-promoting properties are not attributed at the species level, but to specific strains. Therefore, procedures are necessary to allow specific identification at each phylogenetic level—genus, species and strain. In this paper we present a practical overview of molecular methods for the identification and differentiation of L. casei bacteria. The research included 30 bacterial strains belonging to three species: L.casei, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus. Among the tested procedures were genus- and species-specific PCR, multiplex-PCR, Real-Time HRM analysis, RFLP-PCR, rep-PCR, RAPD-PCR, AFLP-PCR, and proteomic methods such as MALDI-TOF MS typing and SDS-PAGE fingerprinting. The obtained results showed that multiplex-PCR and MALDI-TOF MS turned out to be the most useful methods to identify the tested bacteria at the species level. At the strain level, the AFLP-PCR method showed the highest discriminatory power. We hope that the presented results will allow for the easy selection of an appropriate procedure, depending on the experiment conducted and the equipment capabilities of any given laboratory.

Bacterial diversity of 15 extra virgin olive oils, obtained from different Italian varieties, including Frantoio, Coratina, Bosana, and Semidana, was analyzed in this study. All bacterial isolates were genotyped using RAPD and REP-PCR method and grouped by means of cluster analyses. Sequencing of 16S rDNA of 51 isolates, representative of 36 clusters, led to the identification of Bacillus spp., Brevibacillus spp., Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Pantoea spp., Kocuria spp., Lysinbacillus spp., and Lactobacillus spp., most of which reported for first time in olive oils. Phenotypic characterization of the 51 isolates, some of which ascribed to potentially probiotic species, indicate that two of them have beta-glucosidase activity while 37% present lipolytic activity. Preliminary evaluation of probiotic potential indicates that 31% of the isolates show biofilm formation ability, 29% acidic pH resistance, and 25% bile salt resistance. Finally, 29% of the isolates were sensitive to antibiotics while the remaining 71%, that include bacterial species well-recognized for their ability to disseminate resistance genes in the environment, showed a variable pattern of antibiotic resistance. The results obtained underline that microbial diversity of extra virgin olive oils represents an unexpected sink of microbial diversity and poses safety issues on the possible biotechnological exploitation of this microbial biodiversity.