Jashbhai B. Prajapati

Clinical application of probiotics in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection—A brief review

The role of probiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections is increasingly being documented as an alternative or complement to antibiotics, with the potential to decrease the use of antibiotics or reduce their side effects. Although antibiotics-based Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment is 90% effective, it is expensive and causes antibiotic resistance associated with other adverse effects. Probiotics have an in vitro inhibitory effect on H. pylori. Animal studies demonstrated that probiotic treatment is effective in reducing H. pylori-associated gastric inflammation. About 12 human studies investigated the efficacy of combinations of antibiotics and probiotics, whereas 16 studies used probiotic alone as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori infection. Most of the studies showed an improvement of H. pylori gastritis and decrease in H. pylori colonization after administration of probiotics. However, no study could demonstrate complete eradication of H. pylori infection by probiotic treatment. Probiotic combinations can reduce adverse effects induced by H. pylori eradication treatment and, thus, have beneficial effects in H. pylori-infected individuals. Long-term intakes of products containing probiotic strains may have a favorable effect on H. pylori infection in humans, particularly by reducing the risk of developing disorders associated with high degrees of gastric inflammation.

Evidence for xylooligosaccharide utilization in Weissella strains isolated from Indian fermented foods and vegetables

Six strains isolated from fermented food were identified as Weissella species by 16S rDNA sequencing, clustering with the species pair W. confusa/W. cibaria. The strains were analysed for growth on glucose, xylose and xylooligosaccharides (XOS). All strains were xylose positive using the API CHL 50 test. Growth on XOS was observed for strains 85, 92, 145 and AV1, firstly by optical density measurements in microtitre plates and secondly in batch cultures also confirming concomitant decrease in pH. Analysis of XOS before and after growth established consumption in the DP2-DP5 range in the four XOS-fermenting strains. XOS were consumed simultaneously with glucose, while xylose was consumed after glucose depletion. Cell-associated β-xylosidase activity was detected in the XOS-fermenting strains. Analysis of genomic data suggests this activity to be linked with genes encoding glycoside hydrolases from family 3, 8 or 43. No endo-β-xylanase activity was detectable. Major end products were lactate and acetate. A higher ratio of acetic acid to lactic acid was obtained during growth on XOS compared with growth on glucose. This is the first report on utilization of XOS in Weissella, indicating an increased probiotic potential for XOS-utilizing strains from the species pair W. confusa/W. cibaria, but also showing that XOS utilization is strain dependent for these species.

Novel Starters for Value Added Fermented Dairy Products

Starter cultures are those microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and molds or their combinations) that initiate and carry out the desired fermentation essential in manufacturing cheese and fermented dairy products such as Dahi, Lassi, Yogurt, Sour cream, Kefir, and Koumiss amongst others. Starter culture is defined as “an active microbial preparation, deliberately added to initiate desirable changes during preparation of fermented products”. Starter cultures have a multifunctional role in dairy fermentations. The production of lactic acid by fermenting lactose is the major role of dairy starters. The acid is responsible for development of characteristic body and texture of the fermented milk products, contributes to the overall flavour of the products, and enhances preservation. Beyond the horizons of their conventional role in acid, flavour and texture development, they are being looked up on as burgeoning “cell factories” for production of host of functional biomolecules and food ingredients such as biothickeners, bacteriocins, vitamins, bioactive peptides and amino acids.

Probiotic Formulations: Application and Status as Pharmaceuticals—A Review

The use of probiotics is a new way to control and treat infections in this modern era. Application of beneficial bacteria to protect against detrimental bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and thus reap a positive health benefit is the basis of probiotic therapy. Probiotics have a long global history of traditional use. They are normally consumed through fermented foods and are currently sold mostly as ingredients in foods or nutritional supplements. They are also supplied as pharma products. Recent research has highlighted the probiotic potential in the treatment or prevention of disease conditions, maintenance of health, improving immunity and in the reduction in the risk of future diseases. But their position in the pharmaceutical industry is still not very clear. Clinical practitioners use probiotic pharma products mostly as supplements. Their status as drugs is still unclear. This review is aimed to analyze probiotics as pharmaceuticals, their current status as dietary supplements and drugs, existing probiotic preparations and future research needs.

Isolation and characterization of antimicrobial proteins produced by a potential probiotic strain of human Lactobacillus rhamnosus 231 and its effect on selected human pathogens and food spoilage organisms

Abstract Objective: To study in vitro properties of potential probiotics and the antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 231 isolated from human faeces. Methods and Results: Lact. rhamnosus 231 isolated from human faeces tolerated bile salt (4%), phenol (0.5%), and NaCl (4%) and retained viability at low pH (2.5). The cell-free culture (CFC) filtrate and extracellular protein concentrate (EPC) of Lact. rhamnosus 231 contained antimicrobial substances active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megaterium, and Listeria monocytogenes. EPC contained a mixture of low molecular weight antimicrobial proteins, produced during log and stationary phases of growth against the test organisms. Thermostability of the antimicrobial proteins and their sensitivity to proteinase K was observed to be test organism specific. The antimicrobial activity was observed in the pH range 4.5–9 except against Ps. aeruginosa and Ent. aerogenes. These antimicrobial proteins are low molecular weight (4 kDa) anionic peptides as determined by tricine-SDS-PAGE and 2D gel. Periodic acid-Schiffs (PAS) staining of gel confirmed the presence of carbohydrate moiety with low molecular weight peptides. The antimicrobial activity of the partially purified protein was determined against Staph. aureus 74B, H. pylori 33, H. pylori 17874, and C. jejuni CJE 33566. Conclusion: Human Lact. rhamnosus 231 exhibits in vitro properties of potential probiotic. CFC filtrate and EPC of Lact. rhamnosus 231 exhibit antimicrobial activity against potential human pathogens and food spoilage organisms. Antimicrobial proteins in EPC were partially purified and characterized. In vitro properties of potential probiotic and antimicrobial properties of Lact. rhamnosus 231 could be useful as food additive against human pathogens and removal of food contaminants in the target environment.

Feasibility of Genome-Wide Screening for Biosafety Assessment of Probiotics: A Case Study of Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463

Recent years have witnessed an explosion in genome sequencing of probiotic strains for accurate identification and characterization. Regulatory bodies are emphasizing on the need for performing phase I safety studies for probiotics. The main hypothesis of this study was to explore the feasibility of using genome databases for safety screening of strains. In this study, we attempted to develop a framework for the safety assessment of a potential probiotic strain, Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463 based on genome mining for genes associated with antibiotic resistance, production of harmful metabolites, and virulence. The sequencing of MTCC 5463 was performed using GS-FLX Titanium reagents. Genes coding for antibiotic resistance and virulence were identified using Antibiotic Resistance Genes Database and Virulence Factors Database. Results indicated that MTCC 5463 carried antibiotic resistance genes associated with beta-lactam and fluoroquinolone. There is no threat of transfer of these genes to host gut commensals because the genes are not plasmid encoded. The presence of genes for adhesion, biofilm, surface proteins, and stress-related proteins provides robustness to the strain. The presence of hemolysin gene in the genome revealed a theoretical risk of virulence. The results of in silico analysis complemented the in vitro studies and human clinical trials, confirming the safety of the probiotic strain. We propose that the safety assessment of probiotic strains administered live at high doses using a genome-wide screening could be an effective and time-saving tool for identifying prognostic biomarkers of biosafety.

Whole‐genome based validation of the adaptive properties of Indian origin probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to mine the Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463 genome for genetic determinants to validate its ability to adapt to gut transit stresses and translate functionality to the host. RESULTS In silico analysis of the 1 911 350 bp single chromosome of the strain predicted that it had excellent adaptive features like the multisubunit F0F1 ATPase, conjugated bile salt hyrolase, chaperones like hsp33, HtrA, GroEL, GroES, dnaK, grpE, starvation-inducible proteins and heavy-metal transporting ATPases. The genome revealed genes for adhesion and aggregation including exopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides sortase, elongation factor Tu, aggregation promoting proteins, fibronectin-binding proteins, S-layer and mucus-binding proteins. We could identify genes conferring physiological benefits like immunostimulation, cholesterol reduction, antibacterial and folate production. Thus, through trait and gene matching, the study established that the strain possessed the genetic arsenal required to adapt to the gut milieu. The predictions of functional genes further validate the experimental evidences of adaptation and probiosis. CONCLUSION This study provides insight into the feasibility of applying probiogenomics to identify genes that could function as pre-selection criteria for identification of potential probiotic strains.

Antimicrobial Profile of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Vegetables and Indigenous Fermented Foods of India against Clinical Pathogens Using Microdilution Method.

In dairy and food industries lactic acid bacteria(LAB)have been used in form of starter culture that plays vital role in fermentation;as flavouring and texturizing or as preservative agents.There is increasing evidence that lactobacilli which inhabit the gastrointestinal tract develop antimicrobial activities and participatein the host’s defence system[1].During fermentation,most of the LAB produces a number of different compounds like organic acids,hydrogen peroxide,diacetyl,acetaldehyde,carbon dioxide,polysaccharides,and proteinaceous compounds called bacteriocins or bacteriocinogenic peptides[2-3].Such metabolites exert antimicrobial activity and are

Current trend and future prospective of functional probiotic milk chocolates and related products - a review.

Gadhiya D., Patel A., Prajapati J.B. (2015): Current trend and future prospective of functional probiotic milk chocolates and related products – a review. Czech J. Food Sci., 33: 295–301. The world market of functional dairy products including ice-cream, cheese, sour cream, yoghurt, dahi, butter milk, powdered milk, and frozen desserts has been rapidly growing. The incorporation of probiotics into chocolate could offer a good alternative to common dairy products as it is liked by all age groups people. Chocolate is rich in natural antioxidants and the nutritional quality of it can be further enhanced by the incorporation of probiotics and/or prebiotics or dietary fibers. Current article reviews recent advances in the technologies aimed at incorporating probiotics into chocolate and related products, the ways to enhance or sustain their viability in the presence of stressed surroundings throughout the manufacturing process, and their market potential with future prospects.

Geriatric Respondents and Non-Respondents to Probiotic Intervention Can be Differentiated by Inherent Gut Microbiome Composition

Scope Probiotic interventions are known to have been shown to influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota in geriatrics. The growing concern is the apparent variation in response to identical strain dosage among human volunteers. One factor that governs this variation is the host gut microbiome. In this study, we attempted to define a core gut metagenome, which could act as a predisposition signature marker of inherent bacterial community that can help predict the success of a probiotic intervention. Methods and results To characterize the geriatric gut microbiome, we designed primers targeting the 16S rRNA hypervariable region V2–V3 followed by semiconductor sequencing using Ion Torrent PGM. Among respondents and non-respondents, the chief genera of phylum Firmicutes that showed significant differences are Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Eubacterium, and Blautia (q < 0.002), while in the genera of phylum Proteobacteria included Shigella, Escherichia, Burkholderia and Camphylobacter (q < 0.002). Conclusion We have identified potential microbial biomarkers and taxonomic patterns that correlate with a positive response to probiotic intervention in geriatric volunteers. Future work with larger cohorts of geriatrics with diverse dietary influences could reveal the potential of the signature patterns of microbiota for personalized nutrition.