Quantitative and qualitative characterization of commercially available oral suspension of probiotic products containing Bacillus Clausii spores

A Comprehensive Review and Meta-analysis on the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children with a Bacillus clausii Preparation (Enterogermina®)

Several probiotics have become guideline-recommended treatments for acute gastroenteritis in children, but no recommendation was made for Bacillus clausii preparations on the basis of too limited data. As available B. clausii preparations differ in regard to strain composition and pharmaceutical quality, we focused on the most frequently investigated preparation that is available under the brand name Enterogermina®, which includes a combination of the O/C, SIN, N/R, and T strains. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis including several newer studies. We identified 11 randomized and three non-randomized controlled trials. A meta-analysis was performed for the three most often reported parameters in the randomized trials, i.e., duration of diarrhea, number of stools, and duration of hospital stay. Risk of bias was assessed using the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination criteria. Risk of bias of the randomized trials was classified as fair to good. The duration of diarrhea was reduced by 0.6 Hedge's g, the number of stools by 0.34 Hedge's g, and the duration of hospital stay by 0.27 Hedge's g (p < 0.05 for all three parameters). Several other parameters also appeared improved. Adverse events were absent or similarly present in the B. clausii and control groups. We conclude that the B. clausii preparation analyzed here is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed, particularly in comparison to other probiotics.

Isolation and safety evaluation of food-derived potential probiotic Bacillus with antimicrobial properties

Traditional Chinese fermented foods, known for their probiotic content and microbial diversity, contribute significantly to dietary nutrition. This study aimed to assess the safety and antimicrobial potential of Bacillus isolated from these foods for industrial applications. Evaluating the antimicrobial activity and safety of probiotics such as Bacillus is imperative for application in the fermented food industry. Sixty Bacillus strains were isolated from 60 fermented food samples and confirmed by 16S rDNA testing. Of these, 39 were identified as non-toxic based on PCR screening, suggesting a favorable safety profile for consumption. Among the pathogens tested, B. subtilis YH91-2 demonstrated the most potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (n = 2) and Gram-negative (n = 7) bacteria. Comprehensive analyses of hemolytic evaluation, DNA enzyme activity, antibiotic susceptibility, cytotoxicity tests, and tolerance to unfavorable conditions, B. subtilis YH91-2 had the potential as a promising probiotic. Besides vitro evaluation, the effects of B. subtilis YH91-2 in vivo safety were also examined. No harmful health effects were observed in mice irrigating with high, medium, and low doses of YH91-2 for 21 days. Notably, mice receiving high doses showed significant weight gain and a marked decrease in triglyceride levels compared to control subjects. The results provided compelling evidence for the potential of B. subtilis YH91-2 as a probiotic for advancing food industry applications.

Live Biotherapeutic Products for Metabolic Diseases: Development Strategies, Challenges, and Future Directions

Metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, have emerged as major global health challenges. Recent research has revealed that the gut microbiome is closely associated with the development of these conditions. The Food and Drug Administration has recognized certain probiotic strains with therapeutic potential, classifying them as live biotherapeutic products (LBPs). LBPs, which are derived from naturally occurring microorganisms, may present an effective strategy for treating metabolic diseases by restoring gut microbiota balance and regulating metabolic functions. This review explores the development of LBPs specifically for metabolic disease treatments, covering every phase from strain identification, non-clinical and clinical trials, manufacturing and formulation to regulatory approval. Furthermore, it addresses the challenges involved in the commercialization of these therapies. By offering critical insights into the research and development of LBPs for metabolic disease treatment, this review aims to contribute to the progress of these promising therapies.

Probiotic Spores of Shouchella clausii SF174 and Displayed Bromelain Show Beneficial Additive Potential

Probiotics have health-beneficial properties mainly due to either a direct action on the host or the modulation of the host microbiota. Health-beneficial properties have also been associated with a variety of plant-derived molecules, widely used as dietary supplements. This study explores the possibility of combining the actions of probiotics and of plant-derived molecules by developing beneficial, probiotic-carrying, heterologous molecules. To this extent, spores of SF174, a well-characterized probiotic strain of Shouchella clausii (formerly Bacillus clausii), were used to bind bromelain, a plant-derived mixture of endopeptidases with beneficial effects. Probiotic spores displaying bromelain maintained their antioxidant activity and acquired the endopeptidase activity of the heterologous molecule. The endopeptidase activity was stabilized by the interaction with the spore and largely preserved from degradation at simulated gastric conditions. Under conditions mimicking those encountered in the intestine, as well as upon spore germination, active bromelain was released from the spore surface. The in vitro results reported in this study support the idea that probiotics carrying beneficial heterologous molecules combine the health properties of the probiotic with those of the delivered molecule and pave the way for the development of a novel class of functional probiotics.

Polysaccharides of natural products alleviate antibiotic-associated diarrhea by regulating gut microbiota: a review

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is diarrhea caused by disturbances in intestinal microbiota and metabolism following inappropriate use of antibiotics. With the over-reliance on antibiotics, the incidence of AAD is increasing worldwide. Recently, the role of probiotics and prebiotic preparations in the prevention and treatment of AAD has received increasing attention. Various prebiotics can not only reduce the incidence of AAD, but also effectively shorten the course of the disease and alleviate the symptoms. Notably, many polysaccharides derived from plants and fungi are a class of biologically active and rich prebiotics with great potential to alleviate AAD. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the latest research on natural product polysaccharides to alleviate antibiotic-associated diarrhea by modulating the gut microbiota. It provides a theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism of natural product modulation of gut microbiota to alleviate AAD, and provides a reference for further development of active prebiotics.

Mechanistic Insight into the Role of Peptides Secreted from Bacillus clausii and Future Opportunities

Bacillus clausii is a commercial spore probiotic known to treat multiple diseases. An increased interest in exploring the nutraceutical and probiotic properties of various microorganisms has made researchers explore more about these bacteria. The current trends in the healthcare industry are majorly focused on devising new therapies to avoid drug and pathogen resistance in patients. Antimicrobial peptides have been considered a source of antibiotics for a long time. Still, getting new therapies into the market is a big challenge. Members of the genus Bacillus have been reported to have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial peptides. One of the least explored species under this genus is Bacillus clausii, concerning peptide drug therapy. The applications of Bacillus clausii in treating or preventing gut dysbiosis and respiratory infections have been largely supported in the past two decades. Yet research is lacking in explaining the pathways at molecular levels in targeting pathogens. In this mini-review, we are going to summarise the research that has been reported so far about peptide extraction from Bacillus clausii, their mode of action and advantages to mankind, and the challenges lying in the isolation of peptides.

Clinical Implications of Probiotics in Oral and Periodontal Health: A Comprehensive Review

Probiotic therapy represents a novel concept in dentistry. The microbial nature of dental plaque can be altered, or the probiotic strategy can efficiently inhibit oral pathogens. Probiotics are dietary supplements that are vital for boosting immunity as they include beneficial bacteria and yeast. In dentistry and medicine, the interest in probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics is increasing. By forming a biofilm and assisting in preventing dental cavities, probiotics play a crucial role in dentistry and significantly impact immunity. Prebiotics are non-digestible dietary supplements that enhance health by increasing the quantity and activity of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. It has been demonstrated that prebiotics, in addition to probiotics, can help treat oral diseases. They promote the growth and activity of beneficial organisms while inhibiting potentially harmful bacteria's growth and activity. Synbiotics are dietary supplements that combine probiotics and prebiotics, believed to work in tandem through a process known as synergism. Studies have indicated that synbiotics, or a combination of probiotics with a prebiotic, may have greater efficacy than either supplement alone.

Biochar-immobilized Bacillus spp. for heavy metals bioremediation: A review on immobilization techniques, bioremediation mechanisms and effects on soil

Heavy metals contamination present risks to ecosystems and human health. Bioremediation is a technology that has been applied to minimize the levels of heavy metals contamination. However, the efficiency of this process varies according to several biotic and abiotic aspects, especially in environments with high concentrations of heavy metals. Therefore, microorganisms immobilization in different materials, such as biochar, emerges as an alternative to alleviate the stress that heavy metals have on microorganisms and thus improve the bioremediation efficiency. In this context, this review aimed to compile recent advances in the use of biochar as a carrier of bacteria, specifically Bacillus spp., with subsequent application for the bioremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals. We present three different techniques to immobilize Bacillus spp. on biochar. Bacillus strains are capable of reducing the toxicity and bioavailability of metals, while biochar is a material that serves as a shelter for microorganisms and also contributes to bioremediation through the adsorption of contaminants. Thus, there is a synergistic effect between Bacillus spp. and biochar for the heavy metals bioremediation. Biomineralization, biosorption, bioreduction, bioaccumulation and adsorption are the mechanisms involved in this process. The application of biochar-immobilized Bacillus strains results in beneficial effects on the contaminated soil, such as the reduction of toxicity and accumulation of metals in plants, favoring their growth, in addition to increasing microbial and enzymatic activity in soil. However, competition and reduction of microbial diversity and the toxic characteristics of biochar are reported as negative impacts of this strategy. More studies using this emerging technology are essential to improve its efficiency, to elucidate the mechanisms and to balance positive and negative impacts, especially at the field scale.