Search Results (502)

Biopreservation using lactic acid bacteria has gained a growing interest as an alternative to chemical preservatives and/or as a complementary tool to prevent fungal spoilage in dairy products. Among the action mechanisms of antifungal LAB, competitionexclusion for trace elements has recently been highlighted. To further investigate this mechanism, two antifungal LAB strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L244 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CIRM-BIA1759, were studied in a yogurt model. Firstly, the antifungal activity of these strains against four main dairy spoilage fungi (Penicillium biforme, Mucor racemosus, Galactomyces geotrichum and Yarrowia lipolytica) was evaluated with or without trace element (6 metals and 12 vitamins) supplementation. Only manganese supplementation led to a suppression of the antifungal activity of both L. plantarum L244 and L. rhamnosus CIRM-BIA1759 against P. biforme and/or Y. lipolytica. The scavenging of trace elements was then measured using HR-ICP-MS in both cell-free yogurt whey and fungal biomass. HR-ICP-MS results showed a significant scavenging of Mn in L. plantarum L244 and L. rhamnosus CIRM-BIA1759 whey, as well as Cu for L. rhamnosus CIRM-BIA1759. Moreover, element uptake profiles, including metal and non-metal elements, for each of the target fungi were affected by the use of antifungal cultures. Finally, the role of competitionexclusion for manganese in the inhibition of 25 fungal spoilers was evaluated via oCelloScope growth follow-up. Growth inhibition by antifungal LAB strains was suppressed after Mn supplementation in cell-free whey for the 16 (out of 25) fungi initially inhibited without Mn supplementation. The nine other fungi were not inhibited or were poorly inhibited in the different tested conditions. This study confirmed the role of competitionexclusion for Mn in the antifungal activity of L. plantarum L244 and L. rhamnosus CIRM-BIA1759 strains but also revealed that this mechanism is not generic among fungal species, as the growth behavior of several tested species was not impacted by Mn scavenging. Full article

Background: The interaction between probiotics and the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) pathway has been increasingly explored as a potential mechanism for immune modulation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) has shown promising results in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, but its effect on the VDR pathway remains unexplored in humans. Aim: To test the hypothesis that LGG can stimulate the vitamin D/VDR pathway and modulate mucosal-adherent microbiota. Methods: In this study, we analyzed a subgroup of 13 patients from the LGGinUC trial, in which UC patients with mild-to-moderate disease activity received LGG monotherapy for four weeks. Colonic biopsy samples were collected before and after treatment to evaluate VDR expression via RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Mucosal-adherent microbiota was also analyzed by DNA extraction and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: LGG administration significantly increased VDR mRNA expression in colonic mucosa (p < 0.05), with a corresponding rise in VDR protein levels in both epithelial and sub-epithelial compartments. Microbiota analysis revealed a reduction in α-diversity, primarily due to a decrease in commensal bacterial species, while β-diversity remained largely unchanged. Conclusions: Although the present results have to be considered preliminary, this is the first human study demonstrating that probiotic supplementation can upregulate VDR expression in colonic mucosa. We propose that LGG may exert its beneficial effects in UC by stimulating the VDR pathway, which in turn modulates mucosal immunity and microbiota composition. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer treatment durations are needed to validate these findings and explore their therapeutic implications. Full article

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) enables microbial-mediated deconjugation of bile acids (BAs) in the gastrointestinal tract. BSH enzymes initiate bile acid metabolism by catalyzing the first, essential deconjugation step. Due to the strict connection between dysregulations of the BA pool and human or animal diseases, identification and characterization of strains with BSH activity are relevant for both healthcare and agroindustry. However, current methods are expensive, poorly sensitive, or require complex procedures. Here, a BSH screening assay for cultivated microbes is proposed, based on a bacterial biosensor that reports the concentration of different BA types via fluorescence. Although the biosensor is broadly responsive to various bile acids, the assay was designed to guarantee specificity by testing individual primary BAs within controlled concentration ranges. The assay was evaluated on two recombinant Escherichia coli strains bearing BSH genes from Lactobacillus johnsonii PF01 and a BSH-positive probiotic strain (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG). Data showed a consistent activity pattern with previous assays on these enzymes. A crucial aspect addressed was the matrix effect, i.e., the impact of the growth media of the BSH-containing strains on biosensor output. This assay is expected to be a reproducible and accessible option, compatible with automated protocols. Full article

Lactobacilli are important probiotic groups recognized for their numerous health-promoting properties. This study investigated how four probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lr), Lactobacillus acidophilus (La), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp), or Lacticaseibacillus casei (Lc), affected post-acidification, viable cell counts (VCCs), total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPCs and TFCs, respectively), and antioxidant activity of fermented almond milk (FAM) and its combination with cow’s milk (CM) at different concentrations (75:25, 50:50, and 25:75) during 1, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage. All FAM and its mixture with CM showed significantly greater (p < 0.05) post-acidification than their respective controls throughout storage. Viable cell counts in all samples ranged from 5.9 to 6.8 log cfu/mL, which were higher than those of the controls (3–4 log cfu/mL; p < 0.05). Total phenolic contents in FAM/CM (75:25 and 50:50 and 25:75)-Lc increased more than twofold (95.82 ± 0.003 and 105.71 ± 0.008 and 101.02 ± 0.071 μg GAE/mL; p < 0.05) compared to the controls (19–40 μg GAE/mL) by the end of the third week. Lbs. rhamnosus enhanced (p < 0.05) TFCs in FAM/CM (25:75) after the first day of storage. All lactobacilli strains improved the antioxidant activity in all treated samples during storage. In conclusion, the combination of fermented almond milk with cow’s milk may serve as an excellent carrier for Lbs. rhamnosus, Lab. acidophilus, Lpb. plantarum, and Lbs. casei, which exhibit antioxidant activity. Full article

Background: Food allergies are increasingly recognized as a global health concern, influenced by early-life nutrition and the gut microbiome. This systematic review examined randomized controlled trials from 2005 to 2025 assessing the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in preventing food allergies. Methods: Fourteen studies involving 5685 participants, including pregnant women, infants, and children with or without diagnosed food allergies, were analyzed. While several interventions demonstrated modulation of gut microbiota and immune responses, most trials reported no statistically significant reduction in IgE-mediated food allergy compared with placebo. Results: Some evidence suggested benefits from early exposure to allergenic foods and specific probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, particularly in cow’s milk allergy. However, heterogeneity in study designs, strains, dosages, and diagnostic criteria limited generalizability. Conclusions: Overall, microbiome-targeted nutritional interventions show biological plausibility but inconsistent clinical efficacy. Future large-scale, standardized, and mechanistic studies integrating microbiome, genetic, and environmental data are warranted to define optimal strategies for allergy prevention. Full article

This study examined the cosmetic potential of extracts from the peel and pulp of fermented pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.). Fermentation was carried out using Lactobacillus strains (L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. fermentum, and L. paracasei) and kombucha (SCOBY). Fermentation was carried out for 3 days (for lactic acid bacteria) and 10 and 20 days (for kombucha). The obtained products were analyzed by LC-MS for phytochemical composition and assessed for their antioxidant capacity (DPPH and ABTS assays) and ROS reduction in keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (HDF). The obtained ferments demonstrated cytoprotective effects (using Alamar Blue and Neutral Red assays). Both kombucha ferments and certain strains of Lactobacillus ferments demonstrated anti-aging effects (by inhibiting collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase) and anti-inflammatory effects (by significantly affecting IL-6 and IL-1β cytokine levels). A moisturizing skin toner containing the extracts and ferments was developed and tested for cytoprotective effects on HaCaT keratinocytes. The results confirm that fermented pumpkin peel and pulp extracts can be used as multifunctional cosmetic ingredients with the potential to provide antioxidant protection, anti-aging, and skin regeneration. Full article

The ban on antibiotic growth promoters in livestock has intensified the search for effective probiotic alternatives. This study assessed the impact of a novel probiotic cocktail—comprising Lactobacillus plantarum AMT14 and AMT4, L. rhamnosus AMT15, and Bifidobacterium animalis AMT30—on the serum metabolome of lambs using an untargeted GC/MS approach. Sixteen Kamieniec lambs were divided into control and probiotic groups, with serum collected on days 0, 15, and 30. Metabolomic profiling revealed significant alterations in lipid and amino acid metabolism in the probiotic group. By day 15, 38 metabolites were upregulated, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, arachidonic acid, and cholesterol. On day 30, key increases included D-glucose, oleic acid, glycine, decanoic acid, and L-leucine. Multivariate analyses (PCA, PLS-DA) demonstrated clear separation between groups, and ROC analysis identified strong biomarkers with high predictive accuracy. These results suggest that probiotic supplementation can beneficially modulate host metabolism, potentially enhancing immune and physiological function in lambs. This highlights the value of multi-strain LAB-Bifidobacterium probiotics as a promising strategy for improving health and reducing antibiotic reliance in ruminant production systems. Full article

The prevalence of probiotic-labeled products with no evidence of improved health outcomes associated with their consumption has perturbed both the trust of clinicians and the public perception of microbial therapeutics. While probiotics are clearly defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host, it is often ignored in the microbial marketplace. Many products including household cleaners, cosmetics, and pet foods attach probiotic to their labels without supplying viable strains, clinically effective doses, or proven outcomes. Evidence from metagenomic studies and compositional analyses suggest that many probiotics on the market are mischaracterized or mislabeled, a problem that is only exacerbated by weak regulatory standards. In contrast, there are a limited collection of strain-specific interventions such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus GR1, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 that have demonstrated beneficial effects in randomized clinical trials. Considering that the consumption of commercial probiotics often lacks measurable health benefits, it is unreasonable to group proven microbial therapeutics under the same umbrella term of “probiotic”. This paper proposes a strict enforcement of semantic distinction: reserving “probiotics” for less regulated microbial-rich products whereas microbe-containing products that have demonstrated clinical benefit following robust regulatory oversight should be considered for reclassification. Full article

Seaweeds are promising third-generation biomass for biobased chemicals, yet their use for lactic acid (LA) production remains underexplored. We evaluated LA production from the dilute-acid hydrolysate of the aquacultured green alga Capsosiphon fulvescens (C.Agardh) Setchell & N.L. Gardner. The dried biomass contained 53.4% carbohydrate (dry-weight basis). HPLC showed a monosaccharide profile enriched in L-rhamnose and D-xylose, with lower levels of D-mannose, D-glucose, D-glucuronolactone, and D-glucuronic acid. Batch fermentations with three Lactobacillus strains revealed clear strain-dependent kinetics and carbon partitioning. Maximum LA titers/yields (time at maximum) were 2.0 g L⁻¹/0.49 g g⁻¹ at 9 h for L. rhamnosus, 2.3 g L⁻¹/0.30 g g⁻¹ at 36 h for L. casei, and 2.8 g L⁻¹/0.23 g g⁻¹ at 48 h for L. brevis; L. rhamnosus achieved the highest yield on sugars consumed, whereas L. brevis reached the highest titer by utilizing a broader sugar spectrum, notably xylose; L. casei showed intermediate performance with limited xylose use. Co-products included acetic and succinic acids (major) and trace 1,2-propanediol and acetaldehyde, consistent with flux through Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas versus phosphoketolase pathways. These results demonstrate that C. fulvescens hydrolysate is a viable marine feedstock for LA production and highlight practical levers—expanding pentose/uronic-acid catabolism in high-yield strains and tuning pretreatment severity—to further improve both yield and titer. Full article

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), the most potent and widespread mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, poses a significant global threat to food safety and human health, with chronic exposure strongly linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While physical and chemical detoxification approaches exist, their limitations have led to an increased interest in biological strategies, particularly probiotic interventions. In this review, we synthesize current in vivo and clinical evidence on the ability of probiotic lactic acid bacteria—including Lactobacillus casei Shirota, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705, Lactococcus lactis, and selected Bifidobacterium species—to reduce AFB₁ absorption and toxicity. We summarize mechanistic insights into cell wall adsorption, gut microbiota modulation, intestinal barrier protection, and antioxidant enhancement. Clinical trials have shown reductions in AFB₁ biomarkers following probiotic supplementation, supporting their translational potential for human health. However, clinical evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and variability in endpoints. Collectively, this review consolidates mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical findings to position probiotic lactic acid bacteria as promising biological countermeasures against AFB1-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Full article

Background/Objectives: Poor glycemic control is reaching an epidemic prevalence globally. It is associated with significantly morbid health concerns including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Probiotics have shown promise in reducing health complications associated with poor blood glucose control. We tested a novel approach to designing a precision probiotic cocktail for improving blood glucose homeostasis. Methods: We tested the in vitro glucose consumption rate of twelve mouse microbiome bacterial strains and selected three with the greatest glucose consumption for the probiotic cocktail. The in vivo metabolic impact of ingesting the selected probiotic cocktail was evaluated in twelve C57BL/6J male mice fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks. Results: Compared to a control group, the probiotic group (L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. salivarius) exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels, body weight, and body fat percentage. Moreover, the probiotic cocktail also demonstrated the ability to reduce serum insulin, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio. For further mechanistic investigation, untargeted metabolomics analyses uncovered overall downregulations in energy substrates and producing pathways like gluconeogenesis, acylcarnitine synthesis, glycolysis, the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the TCA cycle, and the building blocks for ATP formation. Partial least squares-discriminant analyses also confirmed clear group differences in metabolic activity. 16S rRNA sequencing from extracted gut microbiota also showed significant increases in Faith’s phylogenetic diversity, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 609-strain, and the genus Muribaculaceae as well as group β-diversity differences after probiotic intake. Conclusions: As such, we successfully developed a blend of three probiotics to effectively reduce blood glucose levels in male mice, which could further mitigate adverse health effects in the host. Full article

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterial pathogen that infects half of the world population. While standard treatment was initially effective, eradication rates have declined over the last 20 to 30 years, and the use of adjuvants, such as probiotic supplements, has been suggested to improve efficacy. This review presents evidence supporting the use of Lacidofil^®, an established blend of two thoroughly characterized probiotic strains, as an adjuvant to standard therapy for H. pylori eradication. The microbiology and epidemiology of H. pylori infection as well as current approaches to diagnosis and treatment are summarized, and the roles of probiotics to support standard H. pylori treatment are outlined. Lacidofil^® and its component strains are described, and evidence from eight clinical trials supporting its efficacy is presented. H. pylori eradication rates were increased in participants receiving Lacidofil^® (90–100%) compared to controls (70–86.7%), and the incidence of side effects was decreased (e.g., antibiotic-associated diarrhea—Lacidofil^®: 0–13.6%; controls: 20–40.9%). Published summaries, including systematic reviews with meta-analysis and an umbrella review, are discussed. To expand on the discussion of clinical studies, in vivo and in vitro studies are reviewed, including studies using state-of-the-art molecular methods. They characterize Lacidofil^®’s mechanism of action and further support its efficacy as an adjuvant strategy for H. pylori eradication, side effect reduction, and return to gut microbiota homeostasis. Full article

We previously described the use of probiotics to deliver a Lactobacillus rhamnosus-derived therapeutic protein, P8, which has been identified as a candidate colorectal cancer (CRC) suppressor protein with anti-proliferation and anti-migration activities. P8 was found to penetrate cell membranes by endocytosis, suppressing cell proliferation through G₂ cell cycle arrest. Despite the ability of P8 to suppress cell migration in vitro, its mechanism of action in CRC is unclear. We profiled the P8-interacting partner proteins using the pull-down method with His-tagged bait P8 and then identified them by LC-MS/MS. Among the interacting targets, we focused on the mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1 (Smad1), which is well known as one of the important modulators of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-derived migration pathway in CRC. The present study discovers that P8 prevents the phosphorylation of Smad1 or heterologous complexes within the Smad family, interfering with the importation of Smad1 or its complexes into the nucleus. Thus, P8 significantly inhibits the up-regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes mediated by Smad1. P8 also inhibits the morphological changes required for cell migration or adhesion. P8 induces morphologic changes in DLD-1 cells, and their spheroid surfaces, resulting in a significant reduction of the number and length of filopodia, as well as the down-regulation of the expression of myosin X and its accumulation in filopodia tips. This phenomenon seems to be a major negative regulator of cell motility that could be of key importance in metastasis. Use of a mouse model of human CRC metastasis confirmed that P8 significantly suppresses the liver metastatic rate. Probiotic-derived protein P8 significantly suppresses CRC metastasis through inhibition of the Smad1-EMT signal pathway and cell–cell adhesion. Full article

Probiotics offer significant health benefits; however, their efficacy is often compromised by low survival rates in stressful conditions. Microencapsulation using modified starches presents a promising strategy to enhance probiotic viability. This study aimed to evaluate microwave-assisted octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) modification of faba bean starch to provide a protective matrix for the microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) through spray drying. Starch was extracted from faba beans and hydrolyzed, and a factorial design was employed for OSA esterification (3% w/w) using a conventional microwave (30 or 60 s at power levels of 2 or 10). The starches were characterized, and the most effective treatment was selected for the microencapsulation of LGG, varying the inlet temperature (120 and 140 °C) and flow rate (7 and 12 mL/min) at 30% solids content. Microwaves significantly reduced the processing time for starch esterification. Microwave-assisted OSA modification produced starches with low viscosity (<0.015 Pa·s), high amylose and resistant starch content, and good solubility, making them suitable for probiotic encapsulation. The microencapsulation of LGG resulted in a powder yield of 41–55%, with particle sizes ranging from 5 to 20 µm and survival rates of 81–90%. This study presents an effective method of producing OSA-modified starch from faba beans using microwave energy, demonstrating strong potential for probiotic delivery applications. Full article

Probiotics’ potential to enhance gut health is often limited by their poor survival during gastrointestinal (GI) transit, a challenge influenced by the composition and timing of co-ingested foods. Addressing the lack of dietary guidelines for optimal probiotic administration, this in vitro study examines how consuming Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) with different foods at varying timings affects bacterial survival during simulated digestion. The results showed that simultaneous intake with durum wheat pasta or soy milk improved bacterial viability compared to standalone probiotics. The pasta outperformed the soy milk, yielding higher viable counts (5.92–6.38 vs. 4.93–5.39 log CFU/g) due to greater buffering capacity. Timing of administration also played a critical role: consuming probiotics with (5.39–5.92 log CFU/g) or after a meal (5.19–6.38 log CFU/g) enhanced viability compared to an empty-stomach scenario (4.93–6.04 log CFU/g). Additionally, LGG co-ingestion facilitated starch and protein digestion, increasing the pasta starch digestibility from 84.80% to 89.00% and the soy milk protein digestibility from 78.00% to 80.00%, suggesting synergistic bacteria–food interactions between the probiotic and food matrix. These findings emphasize the importance of food matrix selection and administration timing in optimizing probiotic efficacy. The study provides practical insights for healthcare professionals and consumers, advocating for meal-aligned probiotic intake with buffering-rich foods like pasta to maximize viability. Full article