Microbiological Quality and Resistance to an Artificial Gut Environment of Two Probiotic Formulations.

Diletta Mazzantini,Adelaide Panattoni,Emilia Ghelardi,Francesco Celandroni,Marco Calvigioni,Roberto Labella

doi:10.3390/foods10112781

Diletta Mazzantini, Adelaide Panattoni + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112781

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Abstract

The quality control of probiotic products is the focus of numerous organizations worldwide. Several studies have highlighted the poor microbiological quality of many commercial probiotic formulations in terms of the identity of the contained microorganisms, viability, and purity, thus precluding the expected health benefits and representing a potential health risk for consumers. In this paper, we analyzed the contents of two probiotic formulations, one composed of an encapsulated mixture of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, and one by a lyophilized yeast. The microorganisms contained in the products were quantified and identified using up-to-date methodologies, such as MALDI-TOF MS and metagenomic analysis. Moreover, as acid and bile tolerance is included among the criteria used to select probiotic microorganisms, in vitro tests were performed to evaluate the behavior of the formulations in conditions mimicking the harsh gastric environment and the intestinal fluids. Our results indicate the high quality of the formulations in terms of the enumeration and identification of the contained organisms, as well as the absence of contaminants. Moreover, both products tolerated the acidic conditions well, with encapsulation providing further protection for the microorganisms. A good tolerance to the simulated artificial intestinal conditions was also evidenced for both preparations.

Highlights

In recent years, the market for probiotics, i.e., “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host” [1], has dramatically increased
Considering the importance of quality controls for commercialized probiotic products, we analyzed the content of the two formulations in terms of the quantification and identification of the contained microorganisms
The results of this study indicate the high quality of Microbiosys and Enterogermina

Summary

Introduction

The market for probiotics, i.e., “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host” [1], has dramatically increased. In parallel to studies defining the probiotic properties of microbial species and strains, the number of foods, food supplements, drugs, and medical devices containing probiotics is growing worldwide. This enthusiastic market frequently encounters reports of probiotic formulations with poor microbiological quality, in terms of the identification and viability of the microorganisms contained therein [2,3,4,5,6,7,8].

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