Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a leading cause of hospital-associated diarrhea, primarily due to gut dysbiosis following antibiotic use. Probiotics have been found to provide several benefits to hosts via modulation of the gut microbiota and their metabolites. However, till now, no conventional probiotics have been clearly proven to be an effective prophylactic option for CDI prevention. Therefore, more studies on developing specific probiotic candidates targeting CDI and improving diversity of probiotics administrated are needed. In this study, a human-origin highly diverse and highly targeted probiotic cocktail (Pro11) containing 11 various probiotic species was developed against C. difficile. Pro11 protected mice against CDI with lower clinical scores and higher survival rates, and inhibited C. difficile in vivo with less C. difficile burden and toxins production determined in colon. Histological analysis demonstrated that Pro11 strengthened gut barrier, reducing gut permeability (less secreted sCD14 in serum) and gut inflammation. In addition, gut microbiome analysis demonstrated that Pro11 increased gut microbiome diversity and beneficial species. Along with gut microbiome modulation, gut metabolites including butyrate, were significantly increased in the probiotics-fed group. Results from this study highlighted probiotics as a promising CDI therapy as gut microbiota modulators, which will lay the foundation for translating probiotics in mitigating CDI and other intestinal pathogens for clinical use.

The interplay between human health and the microbiome has gained extensive attention, with probiotics emerging as pivotal therapeutic agents due to their vast potential in treating various health issues. As significant modulators of the gut microbiota, probiotics are crucial in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and enhancing the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids. Despite extensive research over the past decades, there remains an urgent need for a comprehensive and detailed review that encapsulates probiotics' latest insights and applications. This review focusses on the multifaceted roles of probiotics in promoting health and preventing disease, highlighting the complex mechanisms through which these beneficial bacteria influence both gut flora and the human body at large. This paper also explores probiotics' neurological and gastrointestinal applications, focussing on their significant impact on the gut-brain axis and their therapeutic potential in a broad spectrum of pathological conditions. Current innovations in probiotic formulations, mainly focusing on integrating genomics and biotechnological advancements, have also been comprehensively discussed herein. This paper also critically examines the regulatory landscape that governs probiotic use, ensuring safety and efficacy in clinical and dietary settings. By presenting a comprehensive overview of recent studies and emerging trends, this review aims to illuminate probiotics' extensive therapeutic capabilities, leading to future research and clinical applications. However, besides extensive research, further advanced explorations into probiotic interactions and mechanisms will be essential for developing more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies, potentially revolutionizing health care practices for consumers.

The probiotic Bifidobacterium breve is known for its efficient conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) conversion, yet their CLA conversion pathway remains underexplored. This study investigated B. breve JKL2022 for its CLA conversion in actively growing cells, washed cell states, and in crude protein extracts. Moreover, the study aimed to confirm the CLA-converting enzyme in strain JKL2022 and optimize its purification through heterologous expression of fusion proteins (LAI_sGFP and MBP_LAI). JKL2022 exhibited superior CLA conversion compared to genetically similar B. breve strains (JCM7017, JCM7019, JCM1192, and JCM1273), particularly the observed CLA conversion in washed cells (60.14 ± 7.60%) and crude protein fractions (96.11 ± 6.63%). The multipass transmembrane linoleic acid isomerase (LAI) was cloned into the E. coli BL21(DE3) as free LAI or modified with superfolder-GFP or MBP tags and expressed with 0.01 mM IPTG at 37 °C, resulting in highly active protein fractions. LAI was characterized by predictive modeling, molecular docking, and phylogenetic analyses. Moreover, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis revealed upregulation (20-140× higher expression) of lai in JKL2022 compared with that in the JCM strains. Nevertheless, upscaling the production and purification of LAI for downstream applications remains a challenge, primarily because of their membrane-spanning configuration.

The search for alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production has increased interest in probiotics. However, the complexity of the interactions between probiotics, gut microbiome, and the host hinders the development of effective probiotic interventions. This study explores metabolic modelling to examine the possibility of designing informed probiotic interventions within poultry production.

Genomic metabolic models of fungi were generated and simulated in the context of poultry gut microbial communities. The modelling approach correlated with short-chain fatty acid production, particularly in the caecum. Introducing fungi to poultry microbiomes resulted in strain-specific and diet-dependent effects on the gut microbiome. The impact of fungal probiotics on microbiome diversity and pathogen inhibition varied depending on the specific strain, resident microbiome composition, and host diet. This context-dependency highlights the need for tailored probiotic interventions that consider the unique characteristics of each poultry production environment.

This study demonstrates the potential of metabolic modelling to elucidate the complex interactions between probiotics, the gut microbiome, and diet in poultry. While the effects of specific fungal strains were found to be context-dependent, the approach itself provides a valuable tool for designing targeted probiotic interventions. By considering the specific characteristics of the host microbiome and dietary factors, this methodology could guide the deployment of effective probiotics in poultry production. However, the current work relies on computational predictions, and further in vivo validation studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of the identified probiotic candidates. Nonetheless, this study represents a significant step in using metabolic models to inform probiotic interventions in the poultry industry. Video Abstract.

Kojic acid derivatives are useful in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The current investigation focuses on the search for a safe and environmentally friendly newer whole-cell biocatalyst for the synthesis of kojic acid derivative especially 2-amino-6-(hydroxymethyl)-8-oxo-4-phenyl-4,8-dihydropyrano[3,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile (APhCN). In this context, a total of six cultures were isolated from fecal samples of infants and subjected to probiotic characterization followed by screening as whole cell biocatalyst (WCB). In this multicomponent reaction, benzaldehyde, malononitrile, and kojic acid were used to synthesize APhCN at room temperature under aqueous conditions. The screening of potent whole cell biocatalyst (WCB) from isolated cultures was done by comparing reaction time and percent yield. The potent WCB gave a good yield of 95% within 15 h of time and hence further characterized biochemically and identified as Lentilactobacillus farraginis by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Lactobacilli having GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status and being able to carry out this transformation under moderate reaction conditions with easy recovery of both product and biocatalyst, it has the potential to replace some of the chemical catalytic methods.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), arises from intricate interactions involving genetics, environment, and pharmaceuticals with an ambiguous pathogenic mechanism. Recently, there has been an increasing utilization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in managing IBD, attributed to their ability to enhance intestinal barrier function, mitigate inflammatory responses, and modulate gut microbiota. This review initiates by elucidating the pathogenesis of IBD and its determinants, followed by an exploration of the mechanisms underlying LAB therapy in UC and CD. Special attention is directed towards their influence on intestinal barrier function and homeostasis regulated by gut microbiota. Furthermore, the review investigates the complex interplay among pivotal gut microbiota, metabolites, and pathways associated with inflammation. Moreover, it underscores the limitations of LAB in treating IBD, particularly in light of their varying roles in UC and CD. This comprehensive analysis endeavors to offer insights for the optimized application of LAB in IBD therapy.

The management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aims to control inflammation through the use of immunosuppressive treatments that target various points in the inflammatory cascade. However, the efficacy of these therapies in the long term is limited, and they often are associated with severe side effects. Although the pathophysiology of the disease is not completely understood, IBD is regarded as a multifactorial disease that occurs due to an inappropriate immune response in genetically susceptible individuals. The gut microbiome is considered one of the main actors in the development of IBD. Gut dysbiosis, characterised by significant changes in the composition and functionality of the gut microbiota, often leads to a reduction in bacterial diversity and anti-inflammatory anaerobic bacteria. At the same time, bacteria with pro-inflammatory potential increase. Although changes in microbiome composition upon biological agent usage have been observed, their role as biomarkers is still unclear. While most studies on IBD focus on the intestinal bacterial population, recent studies have highlighted the importance of other microbial populations, such as viruses and fungi, in gut dysbiosis. In order to modulate the aberrant immune response in patients with IBD, researchers have developed therapies that target different players in the gut microbiome. These innovative approaches hold promise for the future of IBD treatment, although safety concerns are the main limitations, as their effects on humans remain unknown.

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) often suffer from xerostomia and/or hyposalivation. As saliva plays an important antimicrobial and cleansing roles, these patients are at higher risks of opportunistic infections. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of current evidence on oral Candida colonisation and infection in these patients.

A literature review of clinical studies on oral Candida colonisation and candidiasis in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy was conducted.

Many clinical studies found high levels of Candida colonisation and a substantial proportion of post-RT HNC patients suffering from oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Importantly, oral Candida could be a reservoir for life-threatening systemic infection in immunocompromised patients. The rising prevalence of non-albicans Candida species and drug-resistant infections has made identification of Candida species and antifungal susceptibility more important. Recent advances in oral microbiome and its interactions with Candida are discussed. This review also offers perspectives on limitations of current evidence and suggestions for future research.

Further research to better understand Candida carriage, microbiome, OPC, and xerostomia/hyposalivation post-RT would aid in devising a more comprehensive long-term management plan and novel therapeutic approaches for HNC patients to achieve the full benefits of RT while minimising side effects.

This review covers the significance of green banana resistant starch (RS), a substantial polysaccharide. The food industry has taken an interest in green banana flour due to its 30% availability of resistant starch and its approximately 70% starch content on a dry basis, making its use suitable for food formulations where starch serves as the base. A variety of processing techniques, such as heat-moisture, autoclaving, microwaving, high hydrostatic pressure, extrusion, ultrasound, acid hydrolysis, and enzymatic debranching treatments, have made significant advancements in the preparation of resistant starch. These advancements aim to change the structure, techno-functionality, and subsequently the physiological functions of the resistant starch. Green bananas make up the highest RS as compared to other foods and cereals. Many food processing industries and cuisines now have a positive awareness due to the functional characteristics of green bananas, such as their pasting, thermal, gelatinization, foaming, and textural characteristics. It is also found useful for controlling the rates of cancer, obesity, and diabetic disorders. Moreover, the use of GBRS as prebiotics and probiotics might be significantly proved good for gut health. This study aimed at the awareness of the composition, extraction and application of the green banana resistant starch in the future food products.

The production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the colonic microbiome has numerous benefits for human health, including maintenance of epithelial barrier function, suppression of colitis, and protection against carcinogenesis. Despite the therapeutic potential, there is currently no optimal approach for elevating the colonic microbiome's synthesis of SCFAs. In this study, poly(D,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) was investigated for this application, as it was hypothesised that the colonic microbiota would metabolise PLGA to its lactate monomers, which would promote the resident microbiota's synthesis of SCFAs. Two grades of spray dried PLGA, alongside a lactate bolus control, were screened in an advanced model of the human colon, known as the M-SHIME® system. Whilst the high molecular weight (Mw) grade of PLGA was stable in the presence of the microbiota sourced from three healthy humans, the low Mw PLGA (PLGA 2) was found to be metabolised. This microbial degradation led to sustained release of lactate over 48 h and increased concentrations of the SCFAs propionate and butyrate. Further, microbial synthesis of harmful ammonium was significantly reduced compared to untreated controls. Interestingly, both types of PLGA were found to influence the composition of the luminal and mucosal microbiota in a donor-specific manner. An in vitro model of an inflamed colonic epithelium also showed the polymer to affect the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, such as interleukins 8 and 10. The findings of this study reveal PLGA's sensitivity to enzymatic metabolism in the gut, which could be harnessed for therapeutic elevation of colonic SCFAs.

The objective of this study was to explore a novel methodology for the synthesis of nanocoated probiotics following their collection and cultivation under optimized conditions, in light of their significant contribution to human health. Probiotics are instrumental in sustaining immune health by modulating the gastrointestinal microbiota and facilitating digestion. However, the equilibrium they maintain can be adversely affected by antibiotic treatments. It is critical to investigate the vulnerability of probiotics to antibiotics, considering the potential implications. This research aimed to assess whether nanoparticle coating could augment the probiotics' resistance to antibiotic influence. A strain of Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) was isolated, cultured, and comprehensively characterized utilizing state-of-the-art methodologies, including the VITEK® 2 compact system, VITEK® MS, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The nanoparticle coating was performed using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate and tannic acid, followed by an evaluation of the probiotics' resistance to a range of antibiotics. The analysis through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) demonstrated a partial nanoparticle coating of the probiotics, which was further supported by UV/Vis spectroscopy findings, suggesting enhanced resistance to standard antibiotics. The results revealed that this strain possesses a unique protein profile and is genetically similar to strains identified in various other countries. Moreover, nano-encapsulation notably increased the strain's resistance to a spectrum of standard antibiotics, including Benzylpenicillin, Teicoplanin, Oxacillin, Vancomycin, Tetracycline, Rifampicin, Erythromycin, and Clindamycin. These findings imply that nanoparticle-coated probiotics may effectively counteract the detrimental effects of extended antibiotic therapy, thus preserving their viability and beneficial influence on gastrointestinal health.

Recently, the role of the gut microbiota in metabolic health, immunity, behavioral balance, longevity, and intestine comfort has been the object of several studies from scientific communities. They were encouraged by a growing interest from food industries and consumers toward novel fermented ingredients and formulations with powerful biological effects, such as pre, pro, and postbiotic products. Depending on the selected strains, the operating conditions, the addition of suitable reagents or enzymes, the equipment, and the reactor configurations, functional compounds with high bioactivity, such as short-chain fatty acids, gamma-aminobutyric acid, bioactive peptides, and serotonin, can be enhanced and/or produced through fermentation of several vegetable matrices. Otherwise, their formation can also be promoted directly in the gut after the dietary intake of fermented foods: In this case, fermentation will aim to increase the content of precursor substances, such as indigestible fibers, polyphenols, some amino acids, and resistant starch, which can be potentially metabolized by endogenous gut microorganisms and converted in healthy molecules. This review provides an overview of the main functional components currently investigated in literature and the associated gut health benefits. The current state of the art about fermentation technology as a promising functionalization tool to promote the direct or indirect formation of gut-health-enhancing components was deepened, highlighting the importance of optimizing microorganism selection, system setups, and process conditions according to the target compound of interest. The collected data suggested the possibility of gaining novel functional food ingredients or products rich in functional molecules through fermentation without performing additional extraction and purification stages, which are needed when conventional culture broths are used.

Recent and continuing advances in gut microbiome research have pointed out the role of the gut microbiota as an unexplored source of potentially beneficial probiotic microbes. Along the lines of these advances, both public awareness and acceptance of probiotics are increasing. That's why; academic and industrial research is dedicated to identifying and investigating new microbial strains for the development of next-generation probiotics (NGPs). At this time, there is a growing interest in NGPs as biotherapeutics that alter the gut microbiome and affect various diseases development. In this work, we have focused on some emergent and promising NGPs, specifically Eubacterium hallii, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia spp., Akkermansia muciniphila, and Bacteroides fragilis, as their presence in the gut can have an impact on the development of various diseases. Emerging studies point out the beneficial roles of these NGPs and open up novel promising therapeutic options. Interestingly, these NGPs were found to enhance gastrointestinal immunity, enhance immunotherapy efficacy in cancer patients, retain the intestinal barrier integrity, generate valuable metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids, and decrease complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although many of these NGPs are considered promising for the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases, research on humans is still lacking. Therefore, approval of these microbes from regulatory agencies is rare. Besides, some issues limit their wide use in the market, such as suitable methods for the culture and storage of these oxygen-sensitive microbes. The present review goes over the main points related to NGPs and gives a viewpoint on the key issues that still hinder their wide application. Furthermore, we have focused on the advancement in NGPs and human healthiness investigations by clarifying the limitations of traditional probiotic microorganisms, discussing the characteristics of emerging NGPs and defining their role in the management of certain ailments. Future research should emphasize the isolation, mechanisms of action of these probiotics, safety, and clinical efficacy in humans.

The probiotic potential of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus CF-6HA isolated from traditionally fermented Aloreña table olives was analyzed in vitro and in silico. Results obtained suggested that this strain can be catalogued as "talented" bacterium exhibiting bacteriocin production with antimicrobial activity against human/animal and plant pathogens, such as Pseudomonas syringae and Verticillium dahliae. The robustness, safety and probiotic potential of L. pentosus CF-6HA was confirmed by in silico analysis. In addition, a plethora of coding genes for defense and adaptability to different life styles besides functional properties were identified. In this sense, defense mechanisms of L. pentosus CF-6HA consist of 17 ISI elements, 98 transposases and 13 temperate phage regions as well as a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/cas system. Moreover, the functionality of this strain was confirmed by the presence of genes coding for secondary metabolites, exopolysaccharides and other bioactive molecules. Finally, we demonstrated the ability of L. pentosus CF-6HA to biotransform selenite to nanoparticles (SeNPs) highlighting its potential role in selenium bioremediation to be exploited in foods, agriculture and the environment; but also for the bio-enrichment of fermented foods with selenium.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) belong to a significant group of probiotic bacteria that provide hosts with considerable health benefits. Our previous study showed that pigs with abundant LAB had more robust immune responses in a vaccination experiment. In this study, 52 isolate strains were isolated from the pigs with superior immune responses. Out of these, 14 strains with higher antibacterial efficacy were chosen. We then assessed the probiotic features of the 14 LAB strains, including such as autoaggregation, coaggregation, acid resistance, bile salt resistance, and adhesion capability, as well as safety aspects such as antibiotic resistance, hemolytic activity, and the presence or absence of virulence factors. We also compared these properties with those of an opportunistic pathogen EB1 and two commercial probiotics (cLA and cLP). The results showed that most LAB isolates exhibited higher abilities of aggregation, acid and bile salt resistance, adhesion, and antibacterial activity than the two commercial probiotics. Out of the 14 strains, only LS1 and LS9 carried virulence genes and none had hemolytic activity. We selected three LAB strains (LA6, LR6 and LJ1) with superior probiotic properties and LS9 with a virulence gene for testing their safety in vivo. Strains EB1, cLA and cLP were also included as control bacteria. The results demonstrated that mice treated LAB did not exhibit any adverse effects on weight gain, organ index, blood immune cells, and ileum morphology, except for those treated with LS9 and EB1. Moreover, the antimicrobial effect of LR6 and LA6 strains was examined in vivo. The results indicated that these strains could mitigate the inflammatory response, reduce bacterial translocation, and alleviate liver, spleen, and ileum injury caused by Salmonella typhimurium infection. In addition, the LR6 treatment group showed better outcomes than the LA6 treatment group; treatment with LR6 substantially reduced the mortality rate in mice. The study results provide evidence of the probiotic properties of the LAB isolates, in particular LR6, and suggest that oral administration of LR6 could have valuable health-promoting benefits.

In recent years, postbiotics have increased in popularity, but the potential relevancy of postbiotics for augmenting exercise performance, recovery, and health is underexplored. A systematic literature search of Google Scholar and PubMed databases was performed with the main objective being to identify and summarize the current body of scientific literature on postbiotic supplementation and outcomes related to exercise performance and recovery. Inclusion criteria for this systematic review consisted of peer-reviewed, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trials, with a population including healthy men or women >18 years of age. Studies required the incorporation of a postbiotic supplementation regimen and an outcome linked to exercise. Search terms included paraprobiotics, Tyndallized probiotics, ghost biotics, heat-killed probiotics, inactivated probiotics, nonviable probiotics, exercise, exercise performance, and recovery. Only investigations written in English were considered. Nine peer-reviewed manuscripts and two published abstracts from conference proceedings were included and reviewed. Supplementation periods ranged from 13 days to 12 weeks. A total of 477 subjects participated in the studies (n = 16-105/study) with reported results spanning a variety of exercise outcomes including exercise performance, recovery of lost strength, body composition, perceptual fatigue and soreness, daily logs of physical conditions, changes in mood states, and biomarkers associated with muscle damage, inflammation, immune modulation, and oxidative stress. Early evidence has provided some indication that postbiotic supplementation may help to support mood, reduce fatigue, and increase the readiness of athletes across several weeks of exercise training. However, more research is needed to further understand how postbiotics may augment health, resiliency, performance, and recovery. Future investigations should include longer supplementation periods spanning a wider variety of competitive athletes and exercising populations.

Probiotics represent beneficial living microorganisms that confer physiological, nutritional, and functional advantages to human health, holding significant potential for development of functional foods. This research aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize potential probiotic bacterial strains sourced from fermented and non-fermented foods from Pakistan. A total of 341 bacterial strains were isolated from diverse food samples (81) collected from various regions of Pakistan. Strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The identified strains belonged to genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Microbacterium, Shigella, Micrococcus, Enterococcus, Sporosarcina, Paenibacillus, Limosilactobacillus, Kosakonia, Dietzia, Leclercia, Lacticaseibacillus, Levilactobacillus, Kluyvera, Providencia, Enterobacter, Neisseria, Streptococcus, Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Pantoea, Mammaliicoccus, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Alkalihalobacillus. Selected strains were chosen for probiotic assessment, employing existing literature as a guideline. Among these selections, six strains exhibited hemolytic activity, and seven strains displayed resistance to multiple antibiotics, prompting their exclusion from subsequent evaluations. The remaining strains demonstrated auto-aggregation capacities spanning 3.39-79.7%, and displayed coaggregation capabilities with reported food-borne pathogens. Furthermore, nine strains exhibited antimicrobial properties against food-borne pathogens. The assessment encompassed diverse characteristics such as cell surface hydrophobicity, survival rates under varying conditions, cholesterol reduction ability, casein digestion capability, and antioxidant activity. Phylogenomic analysis, digital-DNA DNA hybridization (digi-DDH), and average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations unveiled novel species potentially belonging to the genera Sporosarcina and Dietzia. Based on these findings, we advocate for the consideration of Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. cohnii NCCP-2414, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NCCP-2569 and Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP-2574 as prime probiotic candidates with the potential for integration into formulation of functional foods.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03903-6.

Kidney graft rejection still represents the major cause of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Of growing interest is the bidirectional relationship between gut microbiome and immune system suggesting that gut microbiota can affect allograft outcome.

In this cross-sectional case-control study, we characterized the gut microbial profile of adult renal transplant recipients with and without graft rejection to define a cohort-specific microbial fingerprint through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We used very strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to address confounder of microbiota composition.

Different relative abundances in several gut microbial taxa were detectable in control patients compared with patients with kidney allograft rejection. Alpha diversity was lower in the rejection group and beta diversity revealed dissimilarity between patients with and without kidney graft rejection (P < 0.01). When the rejection group was stratified according to different types of allograft rejection, major changes were identified between patients with chronic T-cellular-mediated rejection and controls. Changes in alpha diversity within the gut microbiome were related to the probability of chronic T-cellular-mediated rejection (P < 0.05). Kidney transplant patients without rejection showed significant enrichment of rather anti-inflammatory taxa whereas in the rejection group bacteria well known for their role in chronic inflammation were increased. For example, amplicon sequence variant (ASV) 362 belonging to the genus Bacteroides and ASV 312 belonging to Tannerellaceae were enriched in no rejection (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01), whereas ASV 365 was enriched in patients with allograft rejection (P = 0.04). Looking at metagenomic functions, a higher abundance of genes coding for enzymes involved in bacterial multidrug resistance and processing of short-chain fatty acids was found in patients without rejection but an increase in enzymes involved in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate production was seen in patients with allograft rejection.

A distinct microbial fingerprint of patients with allograft rejection might serve as noninvasive biomarker in the future.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a complex etiology, and effective interventions to prevent or delay its onset remain a global health challenge. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential role of probiotic and vitamin supplementation as complementary strategies for Alzheimer's disease prevention. This review paper explores the current scientific literature on the use of probiotics and vitamins, particularly vitamin A, D, E, K, and B-complex vitamins, in the context of Alzheimer's disease prevention and management. We delve into the mechanisms through which probiotics may modulate gut-brain interactions and neuroinflammation while vitamins play crucial roles in neuronal health and cognitive function. The paper also examines the collective impact of this combinational therapy on reducing the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. By providing a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence and potential mechanisms, this review aims to shed light on the promise of probiotic and vitamin co-supplementation as a multifaceted approach to combat Alzheimer's disease, offering insights into possible avenues for future research and clinical application.

Seven healthy, physically active men (n = 3) and women (n = 4) (30.7 ± 7.5 years, 172.7 ± 8.7 cm, 70.4 ± 11.6 kg, 23.6 ± 4.1 kg/m2, 49.2 ± 8.4 mL/kg/min) supplemented for 14 days with a placebo (PLA) or 1 × 1010 CFU doses of the probiotic Veillonella atypica FB0054 (FitBiomics, New York, NY). Participants had safety panels, hemodynamics, lactate, and anaerobic capacity assessed. Stool samples were collected to evaluate for metagenomic and metabolomic changes. Exhaustion times were not different between groups, whereas anaerobic capacity tended to shorten with PLA (61.14 ± 72.04 s; 95% CI: -5.49, 127.77 s, p = 0.066) with no change with VA (13.29 ± 100.13 s, 95% CI: -79.32, 105.89 s, p = 0.738). No changes in lactate, hemodynamics, or bacterial community changes were observed, whereas 14 metabolites exhibited differential expression patterns with VA supplementation. In conclusion, VA maintained exercise performance that tended to decline in PLA. Supplementation was well tolerated with no changes in safety markers or reported adverse events.

Probiotics are living microorganisms that are present in cultured milk and fermented food. Fermented foods are a rich source for the isolation of probiotics. They are known as good bacteria. They have various beneficial effects on human health including antihypertensive effects, antihypercholesterolemic effects, prevention of bowel disease, and improving the immune system. Microorganisms including bacteria, yeast, and mold are used as probiotics but the major microorganisms that are used as probiotics are bacteria from the genus Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. Probiotics are beneficial in the prevention of harmful effects. Recently, the use of probiotics for the treatment of various oral and skin diseases has also gained significant attention. Clinical studies indicate that the usage of probiotics can alter gut microbiota composition and provoke immune modulation in a host. Due to their various health benefits, probiotics are attaining more interest as a substitute for antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs leading to the growth of the probiotic market.

Functional food products containing viable probiotics have become increasingly popular and demand for probiotic ingredients that maintain viability and stability during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal digestions. This has resulted in heightened research and development of powdered probiotic ingredients. The aim of this review is to overview the development of dried probiotics from upstream identification to downstream applications in food. Free probiotic bacteria are susceptible to various environmental stresses during food processing, storage, and after ingestion, necessitating additional materials and processes to preserve their activity for delivery to the colon. Various classic and emerging thermal and nonthermal drying technologies are discussed for their efficiency in preparing dehydrated probiotics, and strategies for enhancing probiotic survival after dehydration are highlighted. Both the formulation and drying technology can influence the microbiological and physical properties of powdered probiotics that are to be characterized comprehensively with various techniques. Furthermore, quality control during probiotic manufacturing and strategies of incorporating powdered probiotics into liquid and solid food products are discussed. As emerging technologies, structure-design principles to encapsulate probiotics in engineered structures and protective materials with improved survivability are highlighted. Overall, this review provides insights into formulations and drying technologies required to supplement viable and stable probiotics into functional foods, ensuring the retention of their health benefits upon consumption.

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is one of the most important cultured marine species around the world. Production of Pacific oysters in China has depended primarily on hatchery produced seeds since 2016, with the successful introduction and development of triploid oysters. However, the seed supply of Pacific oysters is threatened by recurring mass mortality events in recent years. Vibriosis is the most commonly encountered disease associated with intensive oyster culture in hatcheries and nurseries. Vibrio alginolyticus and Bacillus hwajinpoensis were the two strains with pathogenic and probiotic effects, respectively, identified during the Pacific oyster larvae production. To monitor their colonization process in Pacific oyster larvae, green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) were labeled to the pathogenic V. alginolyticus and the probiotic B. hwajinpoensis stain, respectively. The pathogenic and probiotic effects of the two strains during the colonization process were then assessed. Stabile expression of GFP and RFP were observed in corresponding stains, and the capabilities of growth, biofilm formation and in vitro adhesion of GFP- and RFP- tagged stains were not significantly different from those of the wild-type strains. Usage of probiotics of 105 CFU/mL significantly inhibited the growth of pathogenic V. alginolyticus and reduced the mortality of D-sharped larvae. Both the pathogenic and probiotic strains employed a similar route to enter and colonize the oyster larvae, which indicates that competing with pathogens for binding and spreading sites were one of the mechanisms of B. hwajinpoensis to provide the probiotic effects to oyster larvae. In summary, employment of fluorescence-tagged pathogenic and probiotic strains simultaneously provides us with an excellent bioassay model to investigate the potential mechanisms of probiotics.

Clostridium butyricum is known as a probiotic butyric acid bacterium that can improve the intestinal environment. In this study, we isolated a new strain of C. butyricum from infant feces and evaluated its physiological characteristics and antiviral efficacy by modulating the innate immune responses in vitro and in vivo. The isolated C. butyricum S-45-5 showed typical characteristics of C. butyricum including bile acid resistance, antibacterial ability, and growth promotion of various lactic acid bacteria. As an antiviral effect, C. butyricum S-45-5 markedly reduced the replication of influenza A virus (PR8), Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. This suppression can be explained by the induction of antiviral state in cells by the induction of antiviral, IFN-related genes and secretion of IFNs and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vivo, oral administration of C. butyricum S-45-5 exhibited prophylactic effects on BALB/c mice against fatal doses of highly pathogenic mouse-adapted influenza A subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, and H9N2). Before challenge with influenza virus, C. butyricum S-45-5-treated BALB/c mice showed increased levels of IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-12 in serum, the small intestine, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), which correlated with observed prophylactic effects. Interestingly, after challenge with influenza virus, C. butyricum S-45-5-treated BALB/c mice showed reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and relatively higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines at day 7 post-infection. Taken together, these findings suggest that C. butyricum S-45-5 plays an antiviral role in vitro and in vivo by inducing an antiviral state and affects immune modulation to alleviate local and systemic inflammatory responses caused by influenza virus infection. Our study provides the beneficial effects of the new C. butyricum S-45-5 with antiviral effects as a probiotic.

Probiotics, both bacterial and yeast, have long been associated with a beneficial health history and human well-being. Among yeasts, Saccharomyces is a genus that is efficacious in rendering better human health, with Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) CNCM I-745 being classified as a probiotic agent. The present review highlights the unique properties of S. boulardii and its rolein the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and pediatric acute gastroenteritis (PAGE) in comparison to bacterial probiotics. Its unique properties,such as viability over a wide pH range, inability to acquire antibiotic resistance genes, and property to achieve a steady state rapidly, have given S. boulardii an edge over bacterial probiotics. In AAD patients, prophylactic use of S. boulardii has shown a significantly lower risk of AAD (in comparison to controls) and restored the diversity of gut microbiota. Among Indian children with PAGE, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 was found superior to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and four strains of Bacillus clausii in shortening the duration of diarrhea and reducing the length of hospital stay. S. boulardii CNCM I-745 being considered a safe probiotic for use in children and adults also finds recommendations in several international guidelines for the management of acute diarrhea. The current review discusses evidence for the proven efficacy and safety of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 as a probiotic for preventing gastrointestinal disorders.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a Gram-positive beneficial bacterium that resides in the human intestinal tract and belongs to the family of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This bacterium is a widely used probiotic and was suggested to provide numerous benefits for human health. However, as in most LAB strains, the molecular mechanisms that mediate the competitiveness of probiotics under different diets remain unknown. Fermentation is a fundamental process in LAB, allowing the oxidation of simple carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, mannose) for energy production under oxygen limitation, as in the human gut. Our results indicate that fermentation reshapes the metabolome, volatilome, and proteome architecture of LGG. Furthermore, fermentation alters cell envelope remodeling and peptidoglycan biosynthesis, which leads to altered cell wall thickness, aggregation properties, and cell wall composition. In addition, fermentable sugars induced the secretion of known and novel metabolites and proteins targeting the enteric pathogens Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium. Overall, our results link simple carbohydrates with cell wall remodeling, aggregation to host tissues, and biofilm formation in probiotic strains and connect them with the production of broad-spectrum antimicrobial effectors.

Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, serves as a growth promoter used in the poultry industry, contributeing to broiler development. However, practical studies are needed to determine the probiotic potential and growth-promoting effects of specific L. paracasei strains. This study aims to determine whether L. paracasei XLK401 influences broiler chicken growth and the mechanisms involved. Notably, we identified several bile salt and acid tolerance-related genes (Asp23, atpD, atpA, atpH, and atpF) in L. paracasei XLK401. This bacterium demonstrates robust probiotic properties under acidic conditions (pH 2.0) and 0.3% bile salt conditions. It also contains a variety of antioxidant-related genes (trxA, trxB, and tpx), carbohydrate-related genes, gene-encoding glycosidases (e.g., GH and GT), and three clusters of genes associated with antimicrobial compounds. Supplementation with L. paracasei XLK401 significantly increased the body weight of the chicks. In addition, it significantly increased hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC) while significantly decreasing the levels of oxidative damage factors and inflammatory factors (MDA and IL-6), resulting in improved chick health. Improvements in body weight and health status were associated with significant increases in α-amylase activity and the remodeling of the host gut microbiota by L. paracasei XLK401. Among them, actinobacteria abundance in chicken intestines after feeding them L. paracasei XLK401 was significantly decreased, Bifidobacterium sp. abundance was also significantly decreased, and Subdoligranulum sp. abundance was significantly increased. This suggests that L. paracasei XLK401 can regulate the abundance of certain bacteria without changing the overall microbial structure. In addition, in the correlation analysis, Subdoligranulums sp. were positively correlated with SOD and negatively correlated with IL-1β and MDA. Overall, our study demonstrates that L. paracasei XLK401 effectively promotes healthy chick growth. This is made possible by the modulation of gut microbe abundance and the underlying probiotic effect of L. paracasei XLK401. Based on these findings, we postulate L. paracasei XLK401 as a potential efficient growth promoter in broiler farming.

Numerous meta-analyses have demonstrated the beneficial effects of probiotics on oxidative stress biomarkers, although some studies have contradictory results. Therefore, the current research was conducted to obtain a precise and definite understanding on the impact of probiotics on oxidative stress biomarkers in adults.

We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of results on Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar dating up to March 2022. Fifteen meta-analyses were included in this umbrella meta-analysis. The random-effects model was employed to obtain the overall effect size. Subgroup analyses were carried out based on supplementation dosage and duration, mean age, and study population.

Our results indicated that probiotics supplementation meaningfully decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) (ESWMD = -0.56, 95% CI: -0.72, -0.39; p < 0.001, and ESSMD = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.66, -0.34; p < 0.001). Moreover, the findings showed that probiotics resulted in a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (ESWMD = 29.18, 95% CI: 16.31, 42.04; p < 0.001, and ESSMD = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.47; p = 0.032), total glutathione (GSH) (ESWMD: 30.65; 95% CI: 16.94, 44.35, p < 0.001), and nitric oxide (NO) (ESWMD: 1.48; 95% CI: 0.31, 2.65, p = 0.013; I2 = 51.7%, p = 0.043).

Probiotics could be considered a strong agent in the reinforcement of antioxidant status and preventing the incidence of chronic diseases.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is rich in phenolic compounds, protein, and iron. This study aims to produce functional yogurt with enhanced antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties by including safe purslane extract in yogurt formulation; the yogurt was preserved for 30 days at 4 °C, and then biochemical fluctuations were monitored. The purslane extract (PuE) had high phenolic compounds and flavonoids of 250 and 56 mg/mL, respectively. Therefore, PuE had considerable antioxidant activity, which scavenged 93% of DPPH˙, inhibited the viability of MCF-7, HCT, and HeLa cell lines by 84, 82, and 80%, respectively, and inhibited 82% of the interaction between the binding between Spike and ACE2 compared to a SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor test kit. PuE (20-40 µg/mL) inhibited the growth of tested pathogenic bacteria and Candida strains, these strains isolated from spoild yogurt and identified at gene level by PCR. Caffeic acid glucoside and catechin were the main phenolic compounds in the HPLC profile, while the main flavor compound was carvone and limonene, representing 71% of total volatile compounds (VOCs). PuE was added to rats' diets at three levels (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) compared to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The body weight of the rats fed the PuE diet (250 µg/g) increased 13% more than the control. Dietary PuE in rats' diets lowered the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by 72% and increased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by 36%. Additionally, liver parameters in rats fed PuE (150 µg/g) decreased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 50, 43, and 25%, respectively, while TP, TA, and GSH were increased by 20, 50, and 40%, respectively, compared to BHA. Additionally, PuE acts as a kidney protector by lowering creatinine and urea. PuE was added to yogurt at three concentrations (50, 150, and 250 µg/g) and preserved for 30 days compared to the control. The yogurt's pH reduced during storage while acidity, TSS, and fat content increased. Adding PuE increased the yogurt's water-holding capacity, so syneresis decreased and viscosity increased, which was attributed to enhancing the texture properties (firmness, consistency, and adhesiveness). MDA decreased in PuE yogurt because of the antioxidant properties gained by PuE. Additionally, color parameters L and b were enhanced by PuE additions and sensorial traits, i.e., color, flavor, sugary taste, and texture were enhanced by purslane extract compared to the control yogurt. Concerning the microbial content in the yogurt, the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was maintained as a control. Adding PuE at concentrations of 50, 150, and 250 µg/g to the yogurt formulation can enhance the quality of yogurt.

Despite a large body of research, the effect of probiotic administration on the incidence and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) shows conflicting results. We aimed to investigate whether probiotic supplementation reduces the incidence and severity of AD. Three databases were systematically searched. A 22% lower incidence of AD was found in the probiotic group. The reduction in incidence was 49% when probiotics were given to pregnant and lactating mothers, and 27% when they were given to pregnant mothers and infants. A 39% reduction of AD incidence was achieved when administered to pregnant-breastfeeding mothers and infants. Significant differences in SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) favoring probiotics were observed, but the IDLQI remained unchanged. Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus was the most documented strain, but it turned out to be ineffective in reducing SCORAD. Conversely, L. paracasei and L. sakei showed a significant decrease in SCORAD. Probiotics are effective in the prevention of AD, but the effect is less conclusive for the treatment of AD, especially in infants <1 year. The intake of probiotics by breastfeeding mothers is an important measure and may become a novel preventive strategy. The preventive effect of probiotics against AD is not associated with family background or AD risk. L. paracasei and L. sakei show the greatest reduction in SCORAD.

To understand the biological roles of Pediococcus pentosaceus strains as probiotics isolated from the traditional Korean fermented food, Jangajji, Pediococcus pentosaceus was selected based on its high cinnamoyl esterase (CE) and antioxidant activities. The acid and bile stability, intestinal adhesion, antagonistic activity against human pathogens, cholesterol-lowering effects, and immune system stimulation without inflammatory effects were evaluated. Nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in co-culture with various bacterial stimulants. Fermentation ability was measured by using a broccoli matrix and the sulforaphane levels were measured. Resistance to acidic and bilious conditions and 8% adherence to Caco-2 cells were observed. Cholesterol levels were lowered by 51% by assimilation. Moreover, these strains exhibited immunomodulatory properties with induction of macrophage TNF-α and IL-6 and had microstatic effects on various pathogens. Co-culture with various bacterial stimulants resulted in increased NO production. Fermentation activity was increased with the strains, and higher sulforaphane levels were observed. Therefore, in the future, the applicability of the selected strain to broccoli matrix-based fermented functional foods should be confirmed.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has become a worldwide public health problem, and the prevalence of the disease among children has been increasing. The pathogenesis of UC has not been elucidated, but dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is considered the main cause of chronic intestinal inflammation. This review focuses on the therapeutic effects of probiotics on UC and the potential mechanisms involved. In animal studies, probiotics have been shown to alleviate symptoms of UC, including weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the stool, and a shortened colon length, while also restoring intestinal microecological homeostasis, improving gut barrier function, modulating the intestinal immune response, and attenuating intestinal inflammation, thereby providing theoretical support for the development of probiotic-based microbial products as an adjunctive therapy for UC. However, the efficacy of probiotics is influenced by factors such as the bacterial strain, dose, and form. Hence, the mechanisms of action need to be investigated further. Relevant clinical trials are currently lacking, so the extension of animal experimental findings to clinical application requires a longer period of consideration for validation.

Recently, probiotics are increasingly being used for human health. So far, only lactic acid bacteria isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract were recommended for human use as probiotics. However, more authors suggest that probiotics can be also isolated from unconventional sources, such as fermented food products of animal and plant origin. Traditional fermented products are a rich source of microorganisms, some of which may have probiotic properties. A novel category of recently isolated microorganisms with great potential of health benefits are next-generation probiotics (NGPs). In this review, general information of some "beneficial microbes", including NGPs and acetic acid bacteria, were presented as well as essential mechanisms and microbe host interactions. Many reports showed that NGP selected strains and probiotics from unconventional sources exhibit positive properties when it comes to human health (i.e., they have a positive effect on metabolic, human gastrointestinal, neurological, cardiovascular, and immune system diseases). Here we also briefly present the current regulatory framework and requirements that should be followed to introduce new microorganisms for human use. The term "probiotic" as used herein is not limited to conventional probiotics. Innovation will undoubtedly result in the isolation of potential probiotics from new sources with fascinating new health advantages and hitherto unforeseen functionalities.

Zearalenone (ZEN, ZEA) contamination in various foods and feeds is a significant global problem. Similar to deoxynivalenol (DON) and other mycotoxins, ZEN in feed mainly enters the body of animals through absorption in the small intestine, resulting in estrogen-like toxicity. In this study, the gene encoding Oxa, a ZEN-degrading enzyme isolated from Acinetobacter SM04, was cloned into Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4356, a parthenogenic anaerobic gut probiotic, and the 38 kDa sized Oxa protein was expressed to detoxify ZEN intestinally. The transformed strain L. acidophilus pMG-Oxa acquired the capacity to degrade ZEN, with a degradation rate of 42.95% at 12 h (initial amount: 20 μg/mL). The probiotic properties of L. acidophilus pMG-Oxa (e.g., acid tolerance, bile salt tolerance, and adhesion properties) were not affected by the insertion and intracellular expression of Oxa. Considering the low amount of Oxa expressed by L. acidophilus pMG-Oxa and the damage to enzyme activity by digestive juices, Oxa was immobilized with 3.5% sodium alginate, 3.0% chitosan, and 0.2 M CaCl₂ to improve the ZEN degradation efficiency (from 42.95% to 48.65%) and protect it from digestive juices. The activity of immobilized Oxa was 32-41% higher than that of the free crude enzyme at different temperatures (20-80 °C), pH values (2.0-12.0), storage conditions (4 °C and 25 °C), and gastrointestinal simulated digestion conditions. Accordingly, immobilized Oxa could be resistant to adverse environmental conditions. Owing to the colonization, efficient degradation performance, and probiotic functionality of L. acidophilus, it is an ideal host for detoxifying residual ZEN in vivo, demonstrating great potential for application in the feed industry.

Despite the number of available therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC), severe side effects and high cost has limited their clinical application. Thus, finding new alternative strategies with minimal side effects is inevitable. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches in DSS-induced colitis.

Firstly, we designed oral bio-therapeutic products, Live Bacterial Products (LBP), which include a mixture of fecal bacteria strains isolated from healthy mice and prepared by microencapsulation and freeze-dried techniques. Then we investigated the efficiency of 7 days of freeze-dried FMT, LBP, and vancomycin treatments in DSS-induced colitis. Secondly, we compared the effect of 15 days of microbial therapies (freeze-dried powder of FMT and LBP microcapsules) and seven days of oral vancomycin on the severity of colitis in mice. Furthermore, the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured in serum by ELISA, and the fecal microbiota diversity was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing for all mice groups.

After seven days of treatments, our results indicated that oral vancomycin reduced the severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice, where weight gain and a decrease in IL-1 β and TNF-α levels were observed in the vancomycin group compared with other treatment groups. While after two weeks of treatment, the LBP microcapsules were able to reduce the severity of colitis. And at the end of the treatment period, weight gain and a decrease in the DAI scores and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were noted in the LBP treatment group compared to other treatment groups. By high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, our results showed that while the microcapsules LBP treatment increased the fecal microbial diversity, after vancomycin therapy, most of the fecal microbiota genera and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were depleted.

Our results concluded that treatment duration and preparation methods affect the microbial therapies' efficiency in UC. Furthermore, this study highlighted the negative consequences of oral vancomycin administration on gut health that should be known before using this medication.

This study was carried out to screen a potential probiotic microbe with broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against food-borne pathogens and identify the antimicrobial compounds. Based on morphological and molecular analysis, a new Bacillus strain with the ability to produce effective antimicrobial agents was isolated from the breeding soil of earthworms and identified as having a close evolutionary footprint to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The antimicrobial substances produced by B. amyloliquefaciens show effective inhibition of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium oxysporum in an agar diffusion assay. Antimicrobial agents were identified as a series of fengycin and its isoforms (fengycin A and fengycin B) after being submitted to RT-HPLC and MALDI-TOF MS analyses. To evaluate the probiotic activity of the B. amyloliquefaciens, antibiotic safety and viability of the isolated strain in a simulated gastrointestinal environment were carried out. The safety test result revealed that strain LPB-18 is susceptible to multiple common antibiotics. Moreover, acidic condition and bile salts assay were carried out, and the results revealed that it couble be a potential probiotic microbe B. amyloliquefaciens LPB-18 is good choice for biological strains in agricultural commodities and animal feedstuffs.

Lactobacilli are essential microbiota that maintain a healthy, balanced vaginal environment. Vaginitis is a common infection in women during their reproductive years. Many factors are associated with vaginitis; one of them is the imbalance of microbiota in the vaginal environment. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Lactobacillus delbrueckii 45E (Ld45E) against several species of bacteria, namely, Group B Streptococcus (GBS), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Candida parapsilosis, as well as to determine the concentration of interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the presence of Ld45E.

The probiotic characteristics of Ld45E were evaluated by examining its morphology, pH tolerance, adhesive ability onto HeLa cells, hemolytic activity, antibiotic susceptibility, and autoaggregation ability. Then, the antimicrobial activity of Ld45E was determined using Ld45E culture, cell-free supernatant, and crude bacteriocin solution. Co-aggregation and competition ability assays against various pathogens were conducted. The immunoregulatory effects of Ld45E were analyzed by measuring the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance.

Ld45E is 3-5 mm in diameter and round with a flat-shaped colony. pH 4 and 4.5 were the most favorable range for Ld45E growth within 12 h of incubation. Ld45E showed a strong adhesion ability onto HeLa cells (86%) and negative hemolytic activities. Ld45E was also sensitive to ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline. We found that it had a good autoaggregation ability of 80%. Regarding antagonistic properties, Ld45E culture showed strong antimicrobial activity against GBS, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp. but only a moderate effect on C. parapsilosis. Cell-free supernatant of Ld45E exerted the most potent inhibitory effects at 40 °C against all genital pathogens, whereas bacteriocin showed a robust inhibition at 37 °C and 40 °C. The highest co-aggregation affinity was observed with GBS (81%) and E. coli (40%). Competition ability against the adhesion of GBS (80%), E. coli (76%), Klebsiella (72%), and C. parapsilosis (58%) was found. Ld45E was able to reduce the induction of the proinflammatory protein IL-17.

Ld45E possessed antimicrobial and immunoregulatory properties, with better cell-on-cell activity than supernatant activity. Thus, Ld45E is a potential probiotic candidate for adjunct therapy to address vaginal infections.

Potential probiotic strains, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis and Lactobacillus brevis were microencapsulated with their appropriate prebiotics, oat bran, and oats, respectively, selected by in vitro fermentation. The microencapsulation of these probiotics were done in an alginate matrix, with and without their appropriate prebiotics. Results showed that cells microencapsulated with the prebiotics had significantly more storage stability (p < 0.05) than free cells and cells microencapsulated without the prebiotics. The probiotic cells encapsulated with their appropriate prebiotic had improved survival rates when exposed to bile as compared to free cells. The survival of microencapsulated and free cells in the simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid was also evaluated in this study. Microencapsulated probiotics, along with an appropriate prebiotic, were found to be more stable in bile, simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. Interestingly, this is the first work to use prebiotic such as oats and the oat bran to prepare the synbiotic microsphere.

Ultrasound attenuation has been recently proposed as a tool to modulate probiotic metabolism. The study aimed to characterize the response of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus casei ATCC 393 to sonication. Two ultrasound treatments were tested (57 W, duty cycle 50%, 6 or 8 min). Attenuation was assessed as a pH decrease in MRS broth after 6 and 24 h of incubation at 37 °C. Cultivability was evaluated by plate count immediately after sonication and by growth index on overnight cultures. Surface changes were determined by auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, biofilm production tests, and by membrane damages. The 6 min treatment induced a temporary attenuation, while a prolongated exposure to sonic waves caused major attenuation effects (ΔpH 0.97 after 24 h). Both sonication treatments affected probiotic cultivability with a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of plate counts and an alteration of the growth index. Although auto-aggregation was negatively affected upon sonication, the hydrophobicity and biofilm production were improved with no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the sonicated samples. Moreover, sonicated L. casei ATCC 393 resulted in increased membrane permeability. These results suggest that ultrasound technology can be successfully used to modulate the L. casei ATCC 393 fermentative metabolism and to improve its surface properties.

This study aims to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from honeybees (Apis mellifera workers and larvae) in detail and to determine their functional probiotic properties. A total of 11 strains were classified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Preliminary probiotic properties of strains, that were molecularly identified using 16 S rRNA, such as antimicrobial activity, tolerance to digestive conditions, aggregation ability, were investigated. The antimicrobial properties of strains were tested against a wide range of human pathogens. All strains that showed γ-hemolysis and did not contain bacteriophages were considered safe. The strains' survivability checked for 0.3% bile and 3.0-7.8 pH contents was promising. The highest autoaggregation ranged from 14.7 to 30.76% after 4 h. Tested LAB strains markedly exhibited coaggregation with Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. According to the results, tested bacteria showed significant antagonistic effects against pathogens, and positive probiotic characteristics compatible with in vitro gastrointestinal tract conditions. The results suggest that Apis mellifera LAB symbionts may have a probiotic potential, and be effective and safe candidates for human use. This study provides an addition to the development of the current knowledge by defining in detail honeybee-associated bacteria and determining their probiotic potential.

Vitamin B12 (VB12 ) plays vital roles as a cofactor in reactions related to biosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Animals with diarrhoea from intestinal inflammation are susceptible to VB12 deficiency due to dysfunctional absorption. No current medications for canine intestinal inflammation can simultaneously act as VB12 supplements. Here we have tested a strain of VB12 -producing Lactobacillus, to investigate its safety in healthy dogs and test for hypothesized therapeutic and preventive effects on murine colitis. Results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histopathological analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed normal physical conditions of healthy dogs given Lactobacillus, and blood biochemical indices showed no significant differences in markers, indicating safety of Lactobacillus to healthy dogs. The microbiota in animals receiving VB12 -producing Lactobacillus probiotic exhibited decreased abundance of Escherichia coli and concomitant increase in Lactobacillus. The probiotic supplement also resulted in downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in murine colon tissues, reduced myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde level, and significantly increased serum VB12 level and decreased homocysteine in therapeutic and preventive experiments. Moreover, Lactobacillus supplement decreased colonic inflammation and injury, improved gut microbiota, and ameliorated VB12 deficiency as an adjunctive therapy. We conclude this product is potentially beneficial for efficient therapy and prevention of VB12 deficiency form intestinal inflammation in canine clinical practice.