Benefits of fermented synbiotic soymilk containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and inulin towards lead toxicity alleviation

Short-term effects of a synbiotic diet on thyroid and sex hormones in Sarabi Dogs

BACKGROUND

Synbiotic products are those Functional foods/feeds that contain both probiotic and prebiotic strains and have health-promoting effects beyond probiotics or prebiotics alone. This study aimed to investigate the effect of synbiotic feed containing the probiotic strain Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 (1012 cfu/g) and inulin (5%) on changes in Thyroid hormones (T3, T4), TSH, LH, FSH, and Testosterone in male dogs throughout 24 days.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In addition to the basic feed, the dogs in the treatment group also received the synbiotic supplement at 5% in each of their three meals during 24 days. Then, the serum levels of LH, FSH, TSH, and Testosterone were measured with an ELISA kit and finally, the obtained data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The results showed that the consumption of this formulated synbiotic feed had no negative effect on the profile of Thyroid hormones (T3: from 1.09 ± 0.51 to 0.95 ± 0.40 ng/ml [p > 0.05]; and T4: from 6.60 ± 4.33 to 4.70 ± 4.29 µg/dl [p > 0.05]) as well as TSH (from 0.07 ± 0.09 to 0.03 ± 0.00 mIU/L [p > 0.05]), Testosterone (from 1.56 ± 0.66 to 1.26 ± 0.93 ng/ml [p > 0.05]), FSH (from 4.72 ± 1.12 to 11.55 ± 3.42 mIU/ml [p = 0.008]), LH (from 0.56 ± 0.48 to 0.31 ± 0.15 mIU/ml [p > 0.05]), and the changes in the amounts of these hormones was in the normal range during 24 days.

CONCLUSION

It concluded that the consumption of synbiotic feed (L. acidophilus + inulin, at the rate of 5%) in male dogs has no significant adverse effects were observed within the study period on Thyroid, TSH, and sex hormones and it seems that it may be used for a long time to take health-promoting effects without harming hormonal activities.

Designing the pH-sensitive indicator based on starch nanoparticle with bromocresol green for monitoring meat spoilage

The starch nanoparticle, combined with bromocresol green (BCG), served as a pH-sensitive indicator to monitor meat quality throughout an 8-day refrigerated storage period. The meat samples were sealed in package which the pH-sensitive indicator attached to the interior part of packaging lid. The changes in meat quality were evaluated by total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN), pH, total viable count (TVC), sensory analysis, and color in interval of 0, 3, 5, 7, and 8-days storage at 4°C. Initial TVBN values were recorded at 19.6 mg/100 g, increased to 26.6 mg/100 g by the end of storage period. The pH value was significantly increased after 8 days storage at 4°C. The observed color variation in the indicator from yellow to blue was attributed to the concurrent increases in TVBN, TVC, and pH. The indicator color changes had significant correlation with analyzed chemical quality of stored meat. Therefore, the designed BCG pH-sensitive indicator could be effective in monitoring the meat spoilage during storage.

Capsular Polysaccharides Are Crucial for the Biosorption of Aqueous Pb(II) Ions by Limosilactobacillus fermentum B44 In Vitro

Lead (Pb) is a widespread heavy metal pollutant that presents substantial risks to ecological systems and human health. The utilization of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for the detoxification of Pb(II) in the host has aroused great interest. However, few studies had focused on the roles of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) in the bacteria adsorption of Pb(II). In the present study, L. fermentum B44 was selected out of nine lactobacilli for its superior absorption capacity of Pb(II) in vitro. The adsorbed Pb(II) ions by B44 cells were predominantly enriched on the capsule. Removal of the CPS from cells of strain B44 by 1 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) would decrease the adsorption capacity of the host cells. The CPS showed a high capacity for Pb(II) adsorption, and its adsorption behaviour was more accurately described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.97) than by the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.907). Adsorption of Pb(II) ions would lead the CPS transforming from stacked, porous flakes to rough, condensed ones, with Pb(II) sediment on the CPS surface. Amide groups in B44 CPS were crucial in the adsorption of Pb(II). Our results provided intuitive evidence of the Pb(II) adsorption site on B44 cells and the protection of CPS to the bacterial cells.

The Neurobehavioral Impact of Zinc Chloride Exposure in Zebrafish: Evaluating Cognitive Deficits and Probiotic Modulation

Zinc contamination in aquatic environments has become a growing concern due to its potential to bioaccumulate and induce neurotoxic effects in aquatic organisms. As an essential trace element, zinc plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, but excessive exposure can disrupt the gut-brain axis, leading to cognitive and behavioral impairments. Recent studies have suggested that probiotics may offer protective effects against environmental neurotoxins by modulating the gut microbiota and associated neurological functions. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a valuable model organism for studying the biological mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity and potential therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on cognitive impairments induced by zinc chloride (ZnCl2) exposure in zebrafish. Specifically, zebrafish were exposed to ZnCl2 at concentrations of 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L for 96 h, followed by a 7-day post-exposure period to probiotics (Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus). ZnCl2 exposure at these concentrations is already known to induce behavioral and neuromotor deficits resembling Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms in zebrafish models, making it a suitable model for evaluating the neuroprotective potential of probiotics. Behavioral assessments including sociability tests along with short- and long-term memory evaluations were conducted using EthoVision XT 16 software. Memory tests demonstrated that ZnCl2 exposure impaired cognitive functions, while probiotic treatment did not significantly ameliorate these deficits. In the social behavior test, ZnCl2 at 0.5 mg/L resulted in a marked decrease in sociability, whereas exposure to 1.0 mg/L did not induce significant changes. However, post-exposure probiotic administration following ZnCl2 intoxication at 1.0 mg/L exhibited an anxiolytic effect on zebrafish. These findings suggest that probiotics may exhibit partial neurobehavioral benefits following zinc chloride-induced toxicity, particularly in mitigating anxiety-like behaviors rather than cognitive deficits. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which probiotics interact with the gut-brain axis in the context of heavy metal neurotoxicity.

Impact of pre-exposure stress on the growth and viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus in regular, buriti pulp and orange byproduct fermented milk products

The loss of probiotics viability in yogurts and fermented milk is a significant challenge in producing yogurt and fermented milk. Thus, pre-exposure of probiotics to stress conditions can be a viable alternative to increase the probiotic viability. Moreover, the use of fruit pulp and agro-industrial residues in these products has demonstrated promising results in promoting growth and improving the viability of probiotics. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of pre-exposure to acid, oxidative and osmotic stress on the growth and viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus in yogurts and naturally fermented milk containing buriti (Mauritia flexuosa Mart.) pulp or orange byproduct. L. acidophilus was individually pre-exposed to acid, oxidative, and osmotic stress and used in the production of yogurts and fermented milk to determine both the acidification profile and growth of the cultures. Furthermore, during cold storage, the post-acidification profiles and viability of microbial cultures added to the yogurts and fermented milk were monitored. Results showed that pre-exposure to stress conditions influenced the growth parameters as the growth rate (μ) and lag phase (λ) of L. acidophilus and the starter cultures of S. thermophilus and L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Moreover, an increase in the viability of L. acidophilus - pre-exposed to acid stress - was observed on the 21st day of storage of natural yogurts containing orange byproduct compared with non-stressful conditions. This study reports new data on the growth of probiotic cultures pre-exposed to stress conditions in products added of pulps and agro-industrial residues, which have not yet been shown in the literature.

Guardians of the Gut: Harnessing the Power of Probiotic Microbiota and Their Exopolysaccharides to Mitigate Heavy Metal Toxicity in Human for Better Health

Heavy metal pollution is a significant global health concern, posing risks to both the environment and human health. Exposure to heavy metals happens through various channels like contaminated water, food, air, and workplaces, resulting in severe health implications. Heavy metals also disrupt the gut's microbial balance, leading to dysbiosis characterized by a decrease in beneficial microorganisms and proliferation in harmful ones, ultimately exacerbating health problems. Probiotic microorganisms have demonstrated their ability to adsorb and sequester heavy metals, while their exopolysaccharides (EPS) exhibit chelating properties, aiding in mitigating heavy metal toxicity. These beneficial microorganisms aid in restoring gut integrity through processes like biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biotransformation of heavy metals. Incorporating probiotic strains with high affinity for heavy metals into functional foods and supplements presents a practical approach to mitigating heavy metal toxicity while enhancing gut health. Utilizing probiotic microbiota and their exopolysaccharides to address heavy metal toxicity offers a novel method for improving human health through modulation of the gut microbiome. By combining probiotics and exopolysaccharides, a distinctive strategy emerges for mitigating heavy metal toxicity, highlighting promising avenues for therapeutic interventions and health improvements. Further exploration in this domain could lead to groundbreaking therapies and preventive measures, underscoring probiotic microbiota and exopolysaccharides as natural and environmentally friendly solutions to heavy metal toxicity. This, in turn, could enhance public health by safeguarding the gut from environmental contaminants.

Fermented Soymilk with Probiotic Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium Strains Ameliorates Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats

Background: Current treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are relatively futile and the extended use of drugs may reduce effectiveness. Several probiotic strains have shown promise in relieving/treating IBD symptoms. Objectives: The current study investigated the impact of fermented soymilk with a mixture of probiotic starter cultures containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and B. animalis subsp. lactis in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis compared to control. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (5 rats/group; n = 25): G1: negative normal control; G2: positive control (DSS); G3: DSS with sulfasalazine (DSS-Z); G4: DSS with soymilk (DSS-SM), and G5: DSS with fermented soymilk (DSS-FSM). Parameters monitored included the following: the disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and histological assessments of colitis, and a fecal microbial analysis performed to assess the severity of inflammation and ulceration. Results: The DSS-FSM rats group exhibited lower DAI scores (p < 0.05) than other treated groups during the induction period. A macroscopical examination revealed no ulceration or swelling in the intestinal mucosa of rats in the DSS-FSM-treated group, resembling the findings in the negative control group. In the positive control (DSS group), the colon tissue showed increased inflammation (p < 0.05), whereas those in the DSS-SM- and DSS-FSM-treated rats groups did not show significant macroscopic scores of colitis. The positive DSS control and DSS-Z groups had crypt erosion and ulceration areas, severe crypt damage, and epithelial surface erosion, which were absent in the negative control and DSS-FSM groups. The counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. remained stable in both G1 and G5 over 4 weeks. The consumption of fermented soymilk with a mixture of probiotics could minimize the severity of DSS-induced colitis in rats. Conclusion, it was found that fermented soymilk containing Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium might be an effective vehicle for reducing the severity of DSS-induced colitis in rats.

A systematic review and modeling of the effect of bacteriophages on E. coli O157:H7 reduction in vegetables

Prevention and control of food pathogens are important for public health and E. coli O157:H7 infections are known as one of the most important food-borne bacterial diseases transmitted to humans. Vegetables can be a major source of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. Bacteriophages have been considered in recent years as a natural method for controlling pathogens with minimal damage to the quality of vegetables. The performance of these natural antimicrobial agents is affected by various factors including time, temperature, phage and bacterial dose, method of phage application and origin of phages. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review of the works that have examined the effect of different factors to reduce E. coli O157:H7 bacteria by its specific phages and model their effect. In our study, 10 articles were chosen after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria mentioned in the methodology. The multivariate regression results showed that time, temperature, and method of phage application revealed a positive influence on the phage function, and with each unit of increase, the E. coli O157:H7 reduction increases by 0.4 %, 3 % and 0.94 % respectively, and 6 % for phage dose, but not statistically significant (P = 0.44). In addition, commercial-type phages were more effective than wild-type phages and this result was statistically significant (Beta = 0.99; P = 0.001). The results of this study indicate that the various factors, such as temperature, time, method of phage application and type of vegetables can play an important role to reduce E. coli O157:H7 in vegetables.