Probiotic potential of commercial dairy-associated protective cultures: In vitro and in vivo protection against Listeria monocytogenes infection

Identification and Characterization of New Hafnia Strains from Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Potentially Possessing Probiotic Properties and Plastic Biodegradation Capabilities

Finding and characterizing new bacterial strains, including probiotic strains, is a crucial task in today's world to expand the genetic data pool and identify new genes. In this study, we investigated the gut microbiota of one industrial species, Cyprinus carpio, and identified representatives of various microbial genera, including Citrobacter, Serratia, Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Kocuria. Notably, we discovered two strains of Hafnia with potentially probiotic properties. We conducted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of these strains, described their antibiotic resistance and antibacterial activity, and compared them with other representatives of the Hafnia genus. These strains, characterized by rapid growth, the presence of the ClpB heat shock protein gene, and genes associated with microplastic degradation, provide a promising basis for further research, including studies on their potential application in plastic biodegradation.

Evaluation of Probiotic Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis RODK28110C3 Against Pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda Using In Vitro Studies and In Vivo Gnotobiotic Zebrafish Gut Model System

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in aquaculture has led to the emergence of resistance; hence, eco-friendly, host-specific alternatives to mitigate bacterial infections have become imminent. In this study, bacteria that could possibly serve as probiotics were isolated and evaluated for their efficacy with in vitro experiments and in vivo zebrafish gut model. One isolate from each of the 23 rohu fish (Labeo rohita) was shortlisted after preliminary screening of several isolates and tested for their ability to inhibit two important warm water bacterial fish pathogens, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Edwardsiella tarda. An isolate (RODK28110C3) that showed broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against a battery of different isolates of the two fish pathogens included in this study and maintained in our repository was selected for further characterization. The culture was identified phenotypically as Bacillus subtilis and confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The isolate was able to hydrolyze fish feed constituents that include starch, protein, and cellulose. Further in vitro tests ensured that the potential isolate with probiotic attributes could tolerate different gut conditions, which included a range of pH, salinity, and varying concentrations of bile salt. Exposure of 4 days post fertilization zebrafish embryos to the RFP-tagged isolate confirmed the colonization of B. subtilis in the gut of the zebrafish embryo, which is an important attribute of a probiotic. The isolate was able to inhibit both A. hydrophila and E. tarda in gnotobiotic zebrafish embryo in triplicate. The study demonstrates the probiotic characteristics of the B. subtilis isolated from L. rohita and its ability to inhibit A. hydrophila and E. tarda using in vitro conditions and in the zebrafish gut and could serve as an effective alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture.

Cereal-based fermented foods as microbiota-directed products for improved child nutrition and health in sub-Saharan Africa

Several strategies, programs and policies have long been developed and implemented to alleviate child malnutrition in sub-Saharan African countries. However, stunting and wasting still persist at an alarming rate, suggesting that alternative strategies are needed to induce faster progress toward the 2030 SDGs targets of reducing malnutrition. Gut microbiota-directed intervention is now being recognized as an unconventional powerful approach to mitigate malnutrition and improve overall child health. In an African setting, manufactured probiotic and synbiotic foods or supplements may not be successful owing to the non-affordability and high attachment of African populations to their food tradition. This review analyses the potential of indigenous fermented cereal-based products including porridges, doughs, beverages, bread- and yoghurt-like products, to be used as microbiota-directed foods for over 6 months children. The discussion includes relevant strategies to effectively enhance the beneficial effects of these products on gut microbiota composition for improved child health and nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. Characterization of probiotic features and general safety of food processing in sub-Saharan Africa as well as randomized clinical studies are still lacking to fully ascertain the health effects and suitability of these fermented foods in preventing and treating child malnutrition and diarrhea.

Gene Expression, Structural Characterization, and Functional Properties of Exopolysaccharide Produced from Potential Probiotic Enterococcus faecalis NOC219 Strain

This study aimed to reveal the structural characterization and functional properties of microbial EPS-NOC219 material produced by the Enterococcus faecalis NOC219 strain with high EPS yield isolated from yogurt, with simultaneously, demonstrating the potential of this EPS for future industrial applications. According to the results of the analyses made for this aim, it was determined that the NOC219 strain contains the epsB, p-gtf-epsEFG, and p-gtf-P1 genes. In addition, it was also revealed that the EPS-NOC219 structure is expressed by the epsB, p-gtf-epsEFG, and p-gtf-P1 genes and has a heteropolymeric feature consisting of glucose, galactose, and fructose units. According to the results of the analyses made for this aim, it was determined that the EPS-NOC219 structure, which was produced from the NOC219 strain containing the epsB, p-gtf-epsEFG, and p-gtf-P1 genes, had a heteropolymeric structure consisting of glucose, galactose, and fructose units. On the other hand, it was shown that this structure had a thickener property, high heat stability exhibited a pseudoplastic flow behavior, and had a high melting point. This showed that the EPS-NOC219 had high heat stability and could be used as a thickener in heat treatment processes. In addition, it was revealed that it is suitable for plasticized biofilm production. On the other hand, the bioavailability of this structure was demonstrated with its high antioxidant activity (55.84%) against DPPH radicals and high antibiofilm activity against Escherichia coli (77.83%) and Listeria monocytogenes (72.14%) pathogens. These results suggest that the EPS-NOC219 structure may be an alternative natural resource for many industries as it has strong physicochemical properties and a healthy food-grade adjunct.

In Vivo Functional Properties of Dairy Bacteria

This literature review aimed to collect investigations on the in vivo evidence for bacteria associated with fermented dairy foods to behave as probiotics with beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. All main bacterial groups commonly present in high numbers in fermented milks or cheeses were taken into account, namely starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and lactis, L. helveticus, Lactococcus lactis, Streptococcus thermophilus, non-starter LAB (NSLAB) Lacticaseibacillus spp., Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, dairy propionibacteria, and other less frequently encountered species. Only studies regarding strains of proven dairy origin were considered. Studies in animal models and clinical studies showed that dairy bacteria ameliorate symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), mucositis, metabolic syndrome, aging and oxidative stress, cancer, bone diseases, atopic dermatitis, allergies, infections and damage caused by pollutants, mild stress, and depression. Immunomodulation and changes in the intestinal microbiota were the mechanisms most often involved in the observed effects. The results of the studies considered indicated that milk and dairy products are a rich source of beneficial bacteria that should be further exploited to the advantage of human and animal health.

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes Growth, Adherence and Invasion in Caco-2 Cells by Potential Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Fecal Samples of Healthy Neonates

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from healthy humans may prove an effective tool against pathogen growth, adherence and invasion in intestinal epithelial cells. This study aimed to evaluate the antilisterial properties of LAB isolated from fecal samples of healthy neonates. Forty-five LAB strains were tested for their antimicrobial activity against ten Listeria monocytogenes strains with spot-on-lawn and agar-well diffusion assays, and ten lactobacilli strains were further assessed for their inhibitory effect against adherence and invasion of Caco-2 cells by L. monocytogenes EGDe. Inhibition was estimated in competition, exclusion or displacement assays, where lactobacilli and L. monocytogenes were added to Caco-2 monolayers simultaneously or 1 h apart from each other. Inhibition of L. monocytogenes growth was only displayed with the spot-on-lawn assay; cell-free supernatants of lactobacilli were not effective against the pathogen. Lactobacillus (L.) paragasseri LDD-C1 and L. crispatus LCR-A21 were able to adhere to Caco-2 cells at significantly higher levels than the reference strain L. rhamnosus GG. The adherence of L. monocytogenes to Caco-2 cells was reduced by 20.8% to 62.1% and invasion by 33.5% to 63.1% during competition, which was more effective compared to the exclusion and displacement assays. These findings demonstrate that lactobacilli isolated from neonatal feces could be considered a good candidate against L. monocytogenes.