Microencapsulation increases survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506, but not Enterococcus faecium IS-27526 in a dynamic, computer-controlled in vitro model of the upper gastrointestinal tract

Protein-polysaccharide based double network microbeads improves stability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697 in a gastro-Intestinal tract model (TIM-1)

Microencapsulation of probiotics is a main technique employed to improve cell survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study investigated the impact of utilizing proteins i.e. Whey Protein Isolates (WPI), Pea Protein Isolates (PPI) or (WPI + PPI) complex based microbeads as encapsulating agents on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), diameter, morphology along with the survival and viability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697. Results revealed that WPI + PPI combination had the highest EE% of the probiotics up to 94.09 % and the smoothest surface with less visible holes. WPI based beads revealed lower EE% and smaller size than PPI based ones. In addition, WPI based beads showed rough surface with visible signs of cracks, while PPI beads showed dense surfaces with pores and depressions. In contrast, the combination of the two proteins resulted in compact and smooth beads with less visible pores/wrinkles. The survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was observed through TNO in-vitro gastrointestinal model (TIM-1) and results illustrated that all microbeads shrank in gastric phase while swelled in intestinal phase. In addition, in-vitro survival rate of free cells was very low in gastric phase (18.2 %) and intestinal phase (27.5 %). The free cells lost their viability after 28 days of storage (2.66 CFU/mL) with a maximum log reduction of 6.76, while all the encapsulated probiotic showed more than 106-7 log CFU/g viable cell. It was concluded that encapsulation improved the viability of probiotics in GIT and utilization of WPI + PPI in combination provided better protection to probiotics.

I am better than I look: genome based safety assessment of the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IS-10506

BACKGROUND

Safety of probiotic strains that are used in human and animal trials is a prerequisite. Genome based safety assessment of probiotics has gained popularity due its cost efficiency and speed, and even became a part of national regulation on foods containing probiotics in Indonesia. However, reliability of the safety assessment based only on a full genome sequence is not clear. Here, for the first time, we sequenced, assembled, and analysed the genome of the probiotic strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IS-10506, that was isolated from dadih, a traditional fermented buffalo milk. The strain has already been used as a probiotic for more than a decade, and in several clinical trials proven to be completely safe.

METHODS

The genome of the probiotic strain L. plantarum IS-10506 was sequenced using Nanopore sequencing technology, assembled, annotated and screened for potential harmful (PH) and beneficial genomic features. The presence of the PH features was assessed from general annotation, as well as with the use of specialised tools. In addition, PH regions in the genome were compared to all other probiotic and non-probiotic L. plantarum strains available in the NCBI RefSeq database.

RESULTS

For the first time, a high-quality complete genome of L. plantarum IS-10506 was obtained, and an extensive search for PH and a beneficial signature was performed. We discovered a number of PH features within the genome of L. plantarum IS-10506 based on the general annotation, including various antibiotic resistant genes (AMR); however, with a few exceptions, bioinformatics tools specifically developed for AMR detection did not confirm their presence. We further demonstrated the presence of the detected PH genes across multiple L. plantarum strains, including probiotics, and overall high genetic similarities between strains.

CONCLUSION

The genome of L. plantarum IS-10506 is predicted to have several PH features. However, the strain has been utilized as a probiotic for over a decade in several clinical trials without any adverse effects, even in immunocompromised children with HIV infection and undernourished children. This implies the presence of PH feature signatures within the probiotic genome does not necessarily indicate their manifestation during administration. Importantly, specialized tools for the search of PH features were found more robust and should be preferred over manual searches in a general annotation.

Probiotic Properties of Lactobacillus fermentum InaCC B1295 Encapsulated by Cellulose Microfiber from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

This study aims at an in vitro characterization of the acid and bile tolerance of Lactobacillus fermentum InaCC B1295 (LFB1295) encapsulated with hydrogel cellulose microfibers (CMF) from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs). The viability at different storage temperatures was assessed. The experimental design used in this research was an in vitro trial. The microencapsulated probiotic was stored at 25 °C and 4 °C for 28 days. LFB1295 encapsulated with cellulose microfiber hydrogel from OPEFB showed a stable viability of probiotic bacteria at pH 2 and 0.5% (m/v) oxgall. In addition, the microencapsulation maintained the viability at 25 °C and 4 °C at 0, 14, and 28 days. The characterization of the encapsulant CMF-OPEFB showed that the thickness of CMF was in the range of 5–15 μm, and XRD patterns showed that CMF was of the cellulose I type with a crystallinity index of 77.08%. Based on its resistance to hydrogen peroxide, ability to scavenge DPPH radicals, and activity in scavenging hydroxyl radicals, LFB1295 encapsulated with CMF hydrogel of OPEFB exhibits antioxidant properties as good as the scavenging ability of DPPH radicals with IC50 of 36.880, 188.530, and 195.358 µg/mL, respectively, during storage for 0, 14, and 28 days at room and refrigerated temperature. Furthermore, hydroxyl radicals (HR)-scavenging activity showed an increased inhibition along with the increasing concentration of the Fenton reaction and decreasing concentration of cell-free supernatant (CFS) during storage time. In vitro safety tests, including hemolytic activity, biogenic amines, cytolysin, and gelatinase production, showed that the encapsulated LFB1295 was safe to use as a probiotic. The results of the inhibitory activity against hydrogen peroxide LFB1295 show that the higher the concentration of H2O2, the lower the inhibition value during 28 days of storage. Based on the storage temperature, the inhibition of LAB against H2O2 based on different storage temperatures showed a better level of the inhibition at cold temperatures compared to at room temperature.

Investigation of the Role and Effectiveness of Chitosan Coating on Probiotic Microcapsules

Microencapsulation and coating are preferred methods to increase the viability of the probiotic strains. The effect of microencapsulation technologies and materials used as microcapsule cores on viability is being investigated during development. In the present study, chitosan-coated and Eudragit L100-55-coated alginate microspheres were produced to encapsulate Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic bacteria. After the heat loading and simulated gastrointestinal juice dissolution study, the differences in viability were compared based on the CFU/mL values of the samples. The kinetics of the bacterial release and the ratio of the released live/dead cells of Lactobacillus plantarum were examined by flow cytometry. In all cases, we found that the CFU value for the chitosan-coated samples was virtually zero. The ratio of live/dead cells in the 120 min samples was significantly reduced to less than 20% for chitosan, while it was nearly 90% in the uncoated and Eudragit L100-55-coated samples. In the case of chitosan, based on some published MIC values and the amount of chitosan coating determined in the present study, we concluded the reason for our results. It was the first time to determine the amount of the released chitosan coat of the dried microcapsule, which reached the MIC value during the dissolution studies.

Effect of Different Functional Food Supplements on the Gut Microbiota of Prediabetic Indonesian Individuals during Weight Loss

The gut microbiota has been shown in recent years to be involved in the development and severity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the present study was to test the effect of a 2-week functional food intervention on the gut microbiota composition in prediabetic individuals. A randomized double-blind, cross-over trial was conducted on prediabetic subjects. Fifteen volunteers were provided products made of: (i) 50% taro flour + 50% wheat flour; (ii) these products and the probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506; or (iii) these products with beetroot adsorbed for a period of 2 weeks with 2 weeks wash-out in between. Stool and blood samples were taken at each baseline and after each of the interventions. The gut microbiota composition was evaluated by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and anthropometric measures were recorded. The total weight loss over the entire period ranged from 0.5 to 11 kg. The next-generation sequencing showed a highly personalized microbiota composition. In the principal coordinate analyses, the samples of each individual clustered closer together than the samples of each treatment. For six individuals, the samples clustered closely together, indicating a stable microbiota. For nine individuals, the microbiota was less resilient and, depending on the intervention, the beta-diversity transiently differed greatly only to return to the composition close to the baseline during the wash-out. The statistical analyses showed that 202 of the total 304 taxa were significantly different between the participants. Only Butyricimonas could be correlated with taro ingestion. The results of the study show that the highly variable interindividual variation observed in the gut microbiota of the participants clouded any gut microbiota modulation that might be present due to the functional food interventions.

In vitro simulation of the gastrointestinal tract environment and its interaction with probiotic lactobacilli

The harshest conditions of the human gastrointestinal tract were simulated in order to study probiotic bacteria in their intended environment. Eight Lactobacillus strains were cultivated in MRS broth with added bile in different concentrations and their growth was monitored as optical density. The gathered data was used to determine the MIC of bile for each strain. The recovery of the strains in MRS broth after 3 h in simulated gastric juice solution (pH 1.8, 5000 U/cm3 pepsin) was investigated. Lactobacillus gasseri S20 exhibited the best survival rate and reached OD 600 0,490, while Lactobacillus acidophilus S11 could not survive the conditions of the stomach (OD 600 0,076).

Impact of oral galenic formulations of Lactobacillus salivarius on probiotic survival and interactions with microbiota in human in vitro gut models

Health benefits of probiotics in humans essentially depend on their ability to survive during gastrointestinal (GI) transit and to modulate gut microbiota. To date, there is few data on the impact of galenic formulations of probiotics on these parameters. Even if clinical studies remain the gold standard to evaluate the efficacy of galenic forms, they stay hampered by technical, ethical and cost reasons. As an alternative approach, we used two complementary in vitro models of the human gut, the TNO gastrointestinal (TIM-1) model and the Artificial Colon (ARCOL), to study the effect of three oral formulations of a Lactobacillus salivarius strain (powder, capsule and sustained-release tablet) on its viability and interactions with gut microbiota. In the TIM-1 stomach, no or low numbers of bacteria were respectively released from the capsule and tablet, confirming their gastro-resistance. The capsule was disintegrated in the jejunum on average 76 min after administration while the core of sustained-release tablet was still intact at the end of digestion. Viability in TIM-1 was significantly influenced by the galenic form with survival percentages of 0.003±0.004%, 2.8±0.6% and 17.0±1.8% (n=3) for powder, capsule and tablet, respectively. In the ARCOL, the survival of the strain tended to be higher in the post-treatment phase with the tablet compared to capsule, but gut microbiota composition and activity were not differently modulated by the two formulations. In conclusion, the sustained-release tablet emerged as the formulation that most effectively preserved viability of the tested strain during GI passage. This study highlights the usefulness of in vitro gut models for the pre-screening of probiotic pharmaceutical forms. Their use could also easily be extended to the evaluation of the effects of food matrices and age on probiotic survival and activity during GI transit.

Probiotic Gastrointestinal Transit and Colonization After Oral Administration: A Long Journey

Orally administered probiotics encounter various challenges on their journey through the mouth, stomach, intestine and colon. The health benefits of probiotics are diminished mainly due to the substantial reduction of viable probiotic bacteria under the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and the colonization resistance caused by commensal bacteria. In this review, we illustrate the factors affecting probiotic viability and their mucoadhesive properties through their journey in the gastrointestinal tract, including a discussion on various mucosadhesion-related proteins on the probiotic cell surface which facilitate colonization.

Beneficial effect of Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506 supplementation in adults with atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Although the therapeutic effects of probiotics in atopic dermatitis (AD) are known, the limited findings in adults are inconsistent. Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) IS-10506 was found to improve AD symptoms due to its immunomodulatory effects.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis Index (SCORAD), the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), forkhead box P3 (Foxp3+), and IL-17 levels in adults with mild and moderate AD after LP IS-10506 supplementation.

METHODS

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial comparing the microencapsulated probiotic (2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day) and placebo (skim milk-Avicel) was conducted at an outpatient clinic on 30 adults with mild and moderate AD. The patients were divided into 2 groups with 15 patients each: intervention and control.

RESULT

The SCORAD score was significantly lower in the probiotic than the placebo group on the 8th week. The IL-4 and IL-17 levels were significantly lower in the probiotic than the placebo group. The IFN-γ and Foxp3+ levels were significantly higher in the probiotic than the placebo group. However, the IgE levels remained significantly unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The administration of LP IS-10506 is effective for alleviating AD symptoms in adults owing to its immunomodulatory effects.

Effect of functional food ingredients on gut microbiota in a rodent diabetes model

Background

The gut microbiota has been shown to be involved in the development and severity of type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of 4-week functional food ingredient feeding, alone or in combination, on the gut microbiota composition in diabetic rats.

Methods

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated for 4 weeks with (1) native taro starch, (2) modified taro-starch, (3) beet juice, (4) psicose, (5) the probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506, (6) native starch combined with beet juice, (7) native starch to which beet juice was adsorbed, (8) modified starch combined with beet juice or (9) modified starch to which beet juice was adsorbed, to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota. This composition was evaluated by sequencing the PCR amplified V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Results

The next-generation sequencing showed beneficial effects particularly of taro-starch feeding. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to health (e.g. correlating with low BMI, OTUs producing butyrate) were increased in relative abundance, while OTUs generally correlated with disease (e.g. Proteobacteria) were decreased by feeding taro-starch.

Conclusion

The results of study show that a 4-week intervention with functional food ingredients, particularly taro-derived starch, leads to a more healthy gut microbiota in rats that were induced to be diabetic by induction with STZ.

Gastrointestinal digestion of dietary advanced glycation endproducts using an in vitro model of the gastrointestinal tract (TIM-1)

Protein- and sugar-rich food products processed at high temperatures contain large amounts of dietary advanced glycation endproducts (dAGEs). Our earlier studies have shown that specifically protein-bound dAGEs induce a pro-inflammatory reaction in human macrophage-like cells. To what extent these protein-bound dAGEs survive the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is still unclear. In this study we analysed gastric and small intestinal digestion of dAGEs using the validated, standardised TNO in vitro gastroIntestinal digestion model (TIM-1), a dynamic in vitro model which mimics the upper human GI tract. This model takes multiple parameters into account, such as: dynamic pH curves, peristaltic mixing, addition of bile and pancreatic digestive enzymes, and passive absorption. Samples of different digested food products were collected at different time points after (i) only gastric digestion and (ii) after both gastric plus small intestinal digestion. Samples were analysed for dAGEs using UPLC-MS/MS for the lysine derived Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL), and the arginine derived methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 (MG-H1), and glyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 (G-H1). All AGEs were quantified in their protein-bound and free form. The results of this in vitro study show that protein-bound dAGEs survive gastrointestinal digestion and are additionally formed during small intestinal digestion. In ginger biscuits, the presence MG-H1 in the GI tract increased with more than 400%. This also indicates that dAGEs enter the human GI tract with potential pro-inflammatory characteristics.

Application of the dynamic gastrointestinal simulator (simgi®) to assess the impact of probiotic supplementation in the metabolism of grape polyphenols

In this paper, the Dynamic Gastrointestinal Simulator (simgi®) is used as a model to the study the metabolic activity of probiotics at the intestinal level, and in particular, to assess the impact of probiotic supplementation in the microbial metabolism of grape polyphenols. Two independent simulations using fecal samples from two healthy volunteers were carried out. Changes in microbiota composition and in metabolic activity were assessed by qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing and by analyses of phenolic metabolites and ammonium ions (NH₄⁺). The strain Lactobacillus plantarum CLC 17 was successfully implanted in the colon compartments of the simgi® after daily feeding of 2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/day for 7 days. Overall, no changes in bacterial diversity were observed after probiotic implantation. In comparison to the digestion of the grape polyphenols on their own, the inclusion of L. plantarum CLC 17 in the simgi® colon compartments led to a greater formation of phenolic metabolites such as benzoic acids, probably by the breakdown of high-molecular-weight procyanidin polymers. These results provide evidence that the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum CLC 17 may improve the metabolism of dietary polyphenols when used as a food ingredient.

Probiotic survival during a multi-layered tablet development as tested in a dynamic, computer-controlled in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine (TIM-1)

The aim of the research was to develop a galenical formulation for the combination of the three probiotic strains Lactobacillus gasseri PA 16/8, Bifidobacterium longum SP 07/3 and Bifidobacterium bifidum MF 20/5 that would lead to the presence of a high amount of viable cells in the small intestine, the presumed site of action of these strains. This was tested in a validated, dynamic in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine (TIM‐1), simulating human adults after intake of a meal. Experiments were performed both in the gastric compartment of the model, as well as in the complete system (stomach + small intestine). Survival of the strains in an unformulated probiotic powder after transit through the gastric compartment was 5·3% for the bifidobacteria and 1% for L. gasseri. After transit through the complete gastrointestinal tract, this dropped to 2% for bifidobacteria and 0·1% for Lactobacillus. After several rounds of optimization, an enteric‐coated tablet was developed that increased the delivery of viable cells reaching the small intestine to 72% (gastric survival) for bifidobacteria, and 53% (gastric) for L. gasseri. Also survival in the small intestine increased by about an order of magnitude. The final galenical formulation was tested in two applications: adults and elderly, both of which have their own physiological parameters. These experiments corroborated the results obtained in the development phase of the project. In conclusion, the developed enteric coating led to a 20‐ to 40‐fold increase in the delivery of viable cells to the small intestine.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Predictive GI in vitro models are very helpful and reliable tools for the development of new galenical formula containing probiotics, and in the current example helped to deliver >10‐fold higher numbers of viable cells to the small intestine, presumably leading to improved functionality of the strains.

Matrine Mediates Inflammatory Response via Gut Microbiota in TNBS-Induced Murine Colitis

This study mainly investigated the effect of matrine on TNBS-induced intestinal inflammation in mice. TNBS treatment caused colonic injury and gut inflammation. Matrine (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) treatment alleviated colonic injury and gut inflammation via reducing bleeding and diarrhea and downregulating cytokines expression (IL-1β and TNF-α). Meanwhile, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) was markedly reduced in TNBS treated mice, while 5 and 10 mg/kg matrine alleviated IgG reduction. Fecal microbiota was tested using 16S sequencing and the results showed that TNBS caused gut microbiota dysbiosis, while matrine treatment markedly improved gut microbiota communities (i.e., Bacilli and Mollicutes). Functional analysis showed that cell motility, nucleotide metabolism, and replication and repair were markedly altered in the TNBS group, while matrine treatment significantly affected cell growth and death, membrane transport, nucleotide metabolism, and replication and repair. In conclusion, matrine may serve as a protective mechanism in TNBS-induced colonic inflammation and the beneficial effect may be associated with gut microbiota.