Probiotic and Metabolic Characterization of Vaginal Lactobacilli for a Potential Use in Functional Foods.

Margherita D’Alessandro,Rosalba Lanciotti,Lorenzo Siroli,Carola Parolin,Beatrice Vitali,Francesca Patrignani,Maria De Angelis,Danka Bukvicki

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9040833

Margherita D’Alessandro, Rosalba Lanciotti + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040833

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Abstract

The main aim of this work was to verify the metabolic and functional aptitude of 15 vaginal strains belonging to Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Limosilactobacillus vaginalis (previously Lactobacillus vaginalis), already characterized for their technological and antimicrobial properties. In order to evaluate the metabolic profile of these vaginal strains, a phenotype microarray analysis was performed on them. Functional parameters such as hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, deconjugation of bile salts, adhesion to an intestinal cell line (Caco-2), and a simulated digestion process were evaluated for these strains. A good number of these strains showed hydrophobicity values higher than 70%. Regarding the auto-aggregation assay, the most promising strains were L. crispatus BC9 and BC1, L. gasseri BC10 and BC14, and L. vaginalis BC17. Moreover, L. crispatus BC4, BC6, BC7, and BC8 were characterized by strong bile salts hydrolase activity (BHS). In addition, L. crispatus BC8 and L. vaginalis BC17 were characterized by a medium ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells. Data related to digestion process showed a strong ability of vaginal lactobacilli to withstand this stress. In conclusion, the data collected show the metabolic versatility and several exploitable functional properties of the investigated vaginal lactobacilli.

Highlights

Probiotics, defined as functional microorganisms with a positive impact on human health, have been isolated from the gut
The vaginal microbiome of healthy women consists of a variety of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria with an emphasis on Lactobacillus, such as L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, and L. iners [3,4]
The use of bacterial strains characterized by probiotic features in order to prevent vaginal disbyosis or restore normal vaginal microbiome has been proposed [6]

Summary

Introduction

Probiotics, defined as functional microorganisms with a positive impact on human health, have been isolated from the gut. The vaginal microbiome of healthy women consists of a variety of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria with an emphasis on Lactobacillus, such as L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, and L. iners [3,4]. These bacteria act against urogenital pathogens by producing antimicrobial compounds or through competition for adherence to the vaginal epithelium [5,6,7]. The use of bacterial strains characterized by probiotic features in order to prevent vaginal disbyosis or restore normal vaginal microbiome has been proposed [6].

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