Biochemical Traits, Survival and Biological Properties of the Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Grown in the Presence of Prebiotic Inulin and Pectin as Energy Source

Filomena Nazzaro,Raffaele Coppola,Florinda Fratianni,Pierangelo Orlando

doi:10.3390/ph5050481

Filomena Nazzaro, Raffaele Coppola + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ph5050481

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Abstract

The viability of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum, after its passage through simulated gastric and pancreatic juices, was evaluated as function of its pre-growth in a medium containing the known prebiotics pectin or inulin, and was compared to glucose used as control. The presence of pectin or inulin did not markedly affect the growth (10.07 log10 colony forming units/mL and 10.28 log10 colony forming units/mL for pectin and inulin respectively versus 10.42 log10 colony forming units/mL obtained for glucose). Pectin and inulin, in contrast to glucose, induced cell stress resistance against gastrointestinal juices (Δ log101.5 and 2.4 colony forming units/mL respectively, versus Δ log10 4.0 for glucose). The data were corroborated by the analysis of the protein pattern following stress treatments which, in the case of microbial cells grown with glucose, revealed a more marked protein degradation after the double passage through simulated gastric and intestinal juices. Inulin stimulated the production of the relevant healthy bio-molecule butyrate, which amount was 30% higher respect of growth in the presence of glucose. Inulin and pectin improved cell DPPH scavenging activity, and an impressive hydrophobicity (35.28% and 34.81%, respectively) was observed with respect to the microbial growth in presence of glucose (3.39%).

Highlights

The human gastrointestinal microflora, at present referred to as “microbiota” is a complex ecosystem of approximately 300–500 bacterial species comprising nearly two million genes
L. plantarum subsp. plantarum was capable of growing on pectin and inulin, reaching values of 10.07log10 cfu/mL (±0.03) and 10.28log10 cfu/mL (±0.06), respectively (Figure 1)
The tolerance to the simulated gastric and pancreatic juices was deeply dependent on the initial growth conditions, which caused a more effective viability when the strain was pre-treated in the presence of pectin or inulin

Summary

Introduction

The human gastrointestinal microflora, at present referred to as “microbiota” is a complex ecosystem of approximately 300–500 bacterial species comprising nearly two million genes (the so called “microbiome”). Its modification can negatively influence the well-being of the host in different modes To prevent such events, the intestinal ecosystem needs to be retained in a “healthy” state through a constant supply of functional ingredients, such as probiotics and prebiotics. The most commonly used probiotics are represented by lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and non-pathogenic yeasts They must be capable of surviving the passage through the stomach to enter the intestinal tract, where they exert helpful effects on the gut microbiota, and of resisting to the stressful environments during industrial processes. Adhesion to the intestinal epithelial cells is another well known important prerequisite for colonization of probiotic strains in the gastrointestinal tract, that contributes to prevent their immediate elimination by peristalsis and provide a competitive advantage to the gut microbiota. Different reports suggest that the minimum necessary dose suitable to ensure a therapeutic effect should ranges between 8 and 9 log colony forming units (cfu)/mL

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