Study of PROBAC product influence on infant microbiota in a single-chamber colonic fermentation model GIS1

Abstract

The modulation potential of the PROBAC product on the simulated microbiota of an infant colon was determined by using the GIS1 single-chamber system of simulation of the human colon. The determination of the viability of each group of microorganisms and of the metabolic activity was performed for each simulated compartment. In order to confirm the biochemical tests, at least one colony from each sample was analyzed from a genetic point of view, using the repetitive-element PCR fingerprinting (rep-PCR) technique. Molecular analysis demonstrated the persistence of the two strains representing the basis of the PROBAC product, and the genetic stability of the lactic acid bacteria strains included in the final product after transiting the various parts of the simulated colon. After analyzing the viability of lactic acid, bacteria strains that were introduced in the final product in the presence and absence of the prebiotic while transiting the sections of the colon, produced an increase in lactic and bifidobacteria number, especially in the transverse and descending sections. In vitro approaches to study the human colon microbiota, and intestinal microbial processes offer an excellent experimental set-up to study the mechanism of action.