Probiotics: New Avenues

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate quantities, confer health benefits to the host. These beneficial effects are multiple, comprising the enhancement of the immune response, the regulation of inflammatory processes, and the prevention of pathogenic colonization and subsequent infections. Probiotics can be isolated from diverse sources, such as the gut or fermented products, and their application extends across a plethora of domains, serving as functional ingredients in novel foods, biopreservatives, dietary supplements, and live biotherapeutic formulations. Given these attributes, probiotics have gained great attention from both the scientific community and the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, this topic will include a series of review and research articles covering the following topics:

- the isolation and characterization of novel probiotic strains;
- the description of the beneficial effects provided by probiotic strains used as a therapeutic approach to human diseases and infections;
- the development and characterization of probiotic products delivered in various forms, including freeze-dried, encapsulated, or as functional foods;
- the application of probiotics in food production.

Dr. Daniela Machado
Dr. José Carlos Andrade
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Microbiology applmicrobiol	-	-	2021	14.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.1	7.4	2013	11.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Pharmaceuticals pharmaceuticals	4.3	6.1	2004	13.9 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Pharmaceutics pharmaceutics	4.9	7.9	2009	15.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Foods foods	4.7	7.4	2012	14.5 Days	CHF 2900	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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25 pages, 825 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Novel Fermented Plant-Based Functional Beverage: Biological Potential and Impact on the Human Gut Microbiota

by Catarina Vila-Real, Célia Costa, Ana Pimenta-Martins, Samuel Mbugua, Sawadogo-Lingani Hagrétou, Kati Katina, Ndegwa H. Maina, Elisabete Pinto and Ana M. P. Gomes

Foods 2025, 14(3), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14030433 - 28 Jan 2025

Viewed by 1098

Abstract

Controlled fermentation carried out by selected starters might enhance the safety, nutritional, and biological profiles of non-dairy fermented products. This research aims to study the biological potential and impact on the human gut microbiota of a novel fermented finger millet-based product. Finger millet [...] Read more.

Controlled fermentation carried out by selected starters might enhance the safety, nutritional, and biological profiles of non-dairy fermented products. This research aims to study the biological potential and impact on the human gut microbiota of a novel fermented finger millet-based product. Finger millet (Eleusine coracana), suspended in an aqueous sucrose-based solution, was fermented by Weissella confusa 2LABPT05 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (1%, 1:1 ratio (v/v)), at 30 °C/200 rpm in an orbital incubator until pH ≈ 4.5–5.0. Microbial growth, phenolic compounds, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities were evaluated. In vitro digestion followed by in vitro faecal fermentation were used to study the impact of the fermented plant-based functional beverage (PBFB) on the human gut microbiota. Antidiabetic activity (21% vs. 14%) and total phenolics (244 vs. 181 mg of gallic acid equivalents/kg PBFB) increased with fermentation. The digested fermented PBFB contributed to the increase, over the first 6 h, of the Bifidobacterium’s 16S rRNA gene copy numbers, concomitant with significant release of the acetic, propionic, and butyric short chain fatty acids, and also lactic acid. The novel PBFB has been shown to have antidiabetic potential and bifidogenic effects, and consequently its consumption might positively impact blood glucose levels and the human gut microbiota. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Probiotics: New Avenues)

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19 pages, 3257 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

In Vitro Characterization of Probiotic Strains Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus durans and Their Effect on Broiler Chicken Performance and Immune Response During Salmonella Enteritidis Infection

by Revathi Shanmugasundaram, Nalisa Khochamit, Ramesh K. Selvaraj, Mohammad Mortada, Surasak Siripornadulsil and Wilailak Siripornadulsil

Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020217 - 21 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1202

Abstract

In vitro experiments were conducted to characterize the effect of bile salt supplementation and pH on the proliferation of Bacillus subtilis CE330 and Enterococcus durans CH33 probiotics and in vivo experiments on production performance, cecal Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) load, [...] Read more.

In vitro experiments were conducted to characterize the effect of bile salt supplementation and pH on the proliferation of Bacillus subtilis CE330 and Enterococcus durans CH33 probiotics and in vivo experiments on production performance, cecal Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) load, and the immune response of broilers. A one-way ANOVA was used to examine the effect of bile and pH on probiotic species proliferation. B. subtilis. CE330 was more tolerant to high bile concentrations and pH levels compared to E. durans CH33. Bile concentrations between 3.0 and 4.0% and a pH range between 2 and 4 decreased (p < 0.05) the proliferation of E. durans CH33. In vitro, cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of B. subtilis CE330 and E. durans CH33 at a ratio of 1:1 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced S. Enteritidis proliferation, with the highest inhibition observed at a 5:1 ratio of E. durans CH33 CFS. The cultures of B. subtilis CE330 and E. durans CH33 with 4% bile salt for 72 h had a higher proline concentration of 56.95 (13.1-fold) and 20.09 (2.5-fold) µmol/g of fresh weight, respectively. A total of 144 one-day-old male Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatment groups—basal diet, basal diet + challenge, probiotics (B. subtilis CE330 and E. durans CH33, 0.5 g/kg feed), and probiotics + challenge in six replications. On day 14, birds in the challenge treatment were orally challenged with 1 × 10⁸ CFU of S. Enteritidis. A two-way ANOVA was used to examine the effects of probiotic supplementation and Salmonella challenge on dependent variables after 10 d post-Salmonella infection. Probiotic supplementation did not alter the body weight gain, the feed conversion ratio, the intestinal histomorphology (p > 0.05), or IL-1β and IL-10 gene expression (p > 0.05) at 10 dpi. However, probiotic supplementation decreased the Salmonella load by 38% compared to the control group. In conclusion, B. subtilis CE330 and E. durans CH33 reduced cecal S. Enteritidis load by 38%, thereby demonstrating their potential as probiotic interventions to enhance food safety and serve as alternatives to antibiotics in poultry. Hence, when developing multi-strain probiotic formulations, it is essential to emphasize the biocompatibility of various strains within the host system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Probiotics: New Avenues)

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17 pages, 8282 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

L. plantarum UBLP-40 Versus the Combined Formula of L. rhamnosus UBLP-58 and B. longum UBBL-64 in Excisional Wound Healing: A Cellular Perspective

by Moysis Moysidis, Angeliki Chorti, Angeliki Cheva, Ioanna Abba Deka, Georgios Tzikos, Christoforos Kosmidis, Ioannis Koutelidakis, Joulia K. Tsetis, Theodossis Papavramidis and Katerina Kotzampassi

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(11), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17111414 - 22 Oct 2024

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Abstract

Introduction: The utilization of probiotics in enhancing the active healing of skin wounds represents a burgeoning trend in contemporary medicine. Previous research has extensively explored wound healing mechanisms involving the strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum. This study [...] Read more.

Introduction: The utilization of probiotics in enhancing the active healing of skin wounds represents a burgeoning trend in contemporary medicine. Previous research has extensively explored wound healing mechanisms involving the strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum. This study seeks to compare and interpret cellular findings derived from immunohistochemical and pathological applications. Methods: Three groups (the control, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (RO1) group, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum (PRO2) group) underwent histological analysis, and microscopic cell counting were employed, offering insights into dynamic changes among neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasmacytes, mast cells, fibroblasts, and newly formed vessels across distinct treatment groups and temporal intervals. Results: The neutrophil count was found to be elevated in PRO2 on day 2, while the same group resulted in the highest decline on day 15. The number of fibroblasts peaked on day 4 for the PRO1 group, compared to the other two groups, which peaked on day 8. The lymphocyte count was the highest in the control group, while they peaked on day 4 in PRO2. The mast cells and plasmacytes were variable and sparse among all groups and time frames. Neovascularization was promoted by PRO1 and PRO2 groups on day 4 and remained high on day 8 for PRO2. Conclusions: Probiotic strains can be beneficial to the human population and in assisting skin wound healing, each strain working differently and more effectively in different healing phases. Thus, a combined formula containing different probiotics to modulate various healing phases is desirable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Probiotics: New Avenues)

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15 pages, 2928 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Lactic Acid Bacteria–Gut-Microbiota-Mediated Intervention towards Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Diantong Li, Zhenjiang Liu, Xueni Fan, Tingting Zhao, Dongxu Wen, Xiaodan Huang and Bin Li

Microorganisms 2024, 12(9), 1864; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12091864 - 9 Sep 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2756

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), arises from intricate interactions involving genetics, environment, and pharmaceuticals with an ambiguous pathogenic mechanism. Recently, there has been an increasing utilization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in managing IBD, attributed to [...] Read more.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), arises from intricate interactions involving genetics, environment, and pharmaceuticals with an ambiguous pathogenic mechanism. Recently, there has been an increasing utilization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in managing IBD, attributed to their ability to enhance intestinal barrier function, mitigate inflammatory responses, and modulate gut microbiota. This review initiates by elucidating the pathogenesis of IBD and its determinants, followed by an exploration of the mechanisms underlying LAB therapy in UC and CD. Special attention is directed towards their influence on intestinal barrier function and homeostasis regulated by gut microbiota. Furthermore, the review investigates the complex interplay among pivotal gut microbiota, metabolites, and pathways associated with inflammation. Moreover, it underscores the limitations of LAB in treating IBD, particularly in light of their varying roles in UC and CD. This comprehensive analysis endeavors to offer insights for the optimized application of LAB in IBD therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Probiotics: New Avenues)

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14 pages, 2906 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Design and Fabrication of Sustained Bacterial Release Scaffolds to Support the Microbiome

by Anne Marie Klein, Nanang Qosim, Gareth Williams, Mohan Edirisinghe and Rupy Kaur Matharu

Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(8), 1066; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16081066 - 14 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1164

Abstract

Fibres in the micro- and nanometre scale are suited to a broad range of applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering. Electrospinning is the manufacturing method of choice, but it has some limitations. Novel pressure-driven fibre-forming techniques, like pressurised gyration (PG), overcome these [...] Read more.

Fibres in the micro- and nanometre scale are suited to a broad range of applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering. Electrospinning is the manufacturing method of choice, but it has some limitations. Novel pressure-driven fibre-forming techniques, like pressurised gyration (PG), overcome these limitations; however, the compatibility of PG with biological materials has not yet been evaluated in detail. For the first time, this limitation of PG was investigated by optimising PG for microbial cell processing and incorporating bacterial cultures into fibrous polymeric scaffolds for sustained release. Multiple polymer–solvent systems were trialled, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) 25% w/v, polyethylene oxide (PEO)/PBS 20% w/v, and PVP/ethanol 20% w/v. Rheological studies revealed the surface tension of the PVP/PBS, PEO/PBS, and PVP/ethanol polymer–solvent systems to be 73.2, 73.9, and 22.6 mN/m, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed the median fibre diameters to be between 9.8 μm and 26.1 μm, with PVP producing larger fibres. Overnight Bacillus subtilis cultures were then incorporated into the chosen polymeric solutions and processed into fibres using PG. The produced cell-loaded fibres were incubated in LB broth to assess the cell viability of the encapsulated cells. Colony counts post-incubation showed the PVP/PBS 25% fibres resulted in 60% bacterial growth, and PEO/PBS 20% fibres led to 47% bacterial growth, whereas PVP/ethanol 20% fibres did not lead to any bacterial growth. Based on the results gathered during this study, it can be concluded that PG offers a promising way of encapsulating cells and other sensitive biological products while having many notable advantages compared to electrospinning. This research demonstrates proof of concept research-based evidence and showcases the potential of pressurised gyration as a key disruptive innovation in probiotic delivery system design and manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Probiotics: New Avenues)

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