Bifidobacterium Animalis Research Articles

Effects of phototherapy combined with Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 or Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9 on improving neonatal jaundice and gut microbiome health: a randomized double-blind clinical study

Neonatal jaundice is a common condition observed in newborns shortly after birth, making it one of the most frequent health concerns during the first two weeks of life. This study, conducted between May 2019 and July 2023, enrolled 300 full-term infants with bilirubin levels exceeding 15 mg/dL on the fourth day after birth. The infants were recruited and randomly assigned in equal numbers to one of three groups for further investigation. In addition to the control group, the other two groups of infants received probiotic supplementation administered twice daily, with each capsule delivering 5 × 10⁹ CFU of either Lactobacillus salivarius AP-32 or Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9. Both probiotic groups significantly reduced the overall duration of phototherapy and accelerated the rate of bilirubin reduction compared to the control group. The AP-32 group experienced a significant reduction in hospitalization duration, staying seven hours less than the placebo group (P = 0.024). Analysis of gut microbiota revealed that the probiotic groups significantly enhanced microbial diversity in the intestines of neonates. The AP-32 group showed a significant increase in the abundance of L. salivarius, while the CP-9 group demonstrated a notable enhancement in the abundance of B. animalis. These findings suggest that integrating phototherapy with probiotic supplementation may enhance jaundice clearance increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, thereby facilitating the recovery of neonates.

Human milk oligosaccharide metabolism and antibiotic resistance in early gut colonizers: insights from bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the maternal-infant microbiome

ABSTRACT Breast milk, rich in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), supports the early-life colonization of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, potentially reducing early-life antibiotic resistance. However, antibiotic treatment may interfere with the beneficial functions of HMO-degrading bacteria. This study investigated the metabolism of HMOs by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli isolated from human milk and mother-infant paired fecal samples, along with their antibiotic resistance profiles. Understanding these species- and sample-type-specific interactions will provide valuable insights into how bioactive components in human milk may shape the infant resistome during early life. A total of 39 Bifidobacterium and 14 Lactobacillaceae strains were isolated from paired mother-infant fecal and breast milk samples. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) allowed functional predictions on the HMO metabolism abilities and the resistance genotype of each strain. In vitro HMO utilization was assessed using growth kinetics assays combined with HMO glycoprofiling in culture supernatant. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also determined for each strain. HMO metabolism by the bifidobacteria was species-specific. Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) exhibited the highest capacity for HMO degradation, consistent with genomic predictions. In contrast, lactobacilli were unable to degrade HMOs in vitro but were predicted to metabolize the by-products of HMO degradation. Phenotypic analysis revealed that B. bifidum strains had the lowest levels of antibiotic resistance, while Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) strains were resistant to most tested antibiotics. Overall, B. bifidum demonstrated the strongest HMO-degrading ability while remaining the most antibiotic-susceptible species. Early-life colonizing bifidobacterial species possess the essential machinery required to degrade HMOs and are highly susceptible to antibiotics. A better understanding of these dynamics could inform clinical strategies to protect and restore the infant gut microbiome, particularly in neonates exposed to antibiotics.

Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp. lactis PB200 Improves Intestinal Barrier Function and Flora Disturbance in Mice with Antibiotic-Induced Intestinal Injury

Background/Objectives: Overuse or misuse of antibiotics could cause adverse effects such as gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Probiotic intervention could effectively alleviate these symptoms. However, the precise efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis PB200 (B. lactis PB200) in mitigating antibiotic-induced intestinal injury remains unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of B. lactis PB200 on intestinal barrier injury and gut microbiota dysbiosis in a murine model of antibiotic-induced intestinal injury. Methods: BALB/c mice were administered ceftriaxone sodium via oral gavage for seven consecutive days, followed by probiotic intervention daily via gastric gavage for 4 weeks. Results: The results indicated that B. lactis PB200 played a positive role in enhancing intestinal barrier function, as evidenced by the restored intestinal morphology, and elevated the expression of tight junctions including ZO-1, Claudin-4 and Occludin (2.76-fold, 4.39-fold, and 2.61-fold, respectively) compared to that in the Model group. B. lactis PB200 normalized the levels of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10, and elevated the diversity and richness of gut microbiota. B. lactis PB200 significantly elevated the levels of propionic acid and butyric acid, with increases of 1.67-fold and 2.82-fold, respectively, compared to the Model group. Notably, B. lactis PB200 reduced the abundance of Enterocloster and increased the abundance of Parabacteroides, promoting the rebalance of gut microbiota. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings highlighted the significant potential of B. lactis PB200 in alleviating intestinal barrier damage and restoring the balance of gut microbiota caused by an antibiotic.

Incorporation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium lactis in Prato cheese: characterization, in vitro resistance to the gastrointestinal tract and sensory evaluation

Incorporation of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidobacterium lactis in Prato cheese: characterization, in vitro resistance to the gastrointestinal tract and sensory evaluation

Administration of Bifidobacterium animalis Subsp. lactis BLa80 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85 Improved Hyperglycemia and Modulated Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder and constitutes a significant threat to global public health. Increasing evidence has shown the therapeutic potential of probiotics in the management of T2DM. This study established a T2DM mouse model through high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection (HFD/STZ) and investigated the preventive effects of two probiotic strains: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA85. The results indicated that both probiotic strains significantly improved glucose homeostasis by reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and increasing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels. Moreover, probiotics decreased blood lipid and pro-inflammatory mediator levels, enhanced the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and mitigated pathological alterations in ileal, hepatic, pancreatic, and renal tissues. Subsequent 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis revealed that BLa80 and LA85 interventions effectively modulated gut microbiota composition, particularly by increasing the relative abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacterial taxa. Notably, the mechanisms of action were strain-specific: BLa80 primarily impacted glycemic control and promoted the proliferation of Bifidobacterium and Limosilactobacillus, whereas LA85 exhibited superior efficacy in regulating lipid metabolism and promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Alistipes populations. These findings indicate that BLa80 and LA85 can ameliorate symptoms related to T2DM despite their distinct regulatory pathways, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents in diabetes management.

Effect of an 8-Week Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 Supplementation on Functional Constipation: A Multi-Center, Triple-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Functional constipation (FC) is characterized by difficult, infrequent, or incomplete bowel movements without clear physiological cause. Daily intake of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has been shown to reduce colonic transit time or increases bowel movement frequency in 2-4 weeks interventions. This triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the effect of 8 weeks HN019 supplementation on complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBMs) in adults with FC (diagnosed by Rome III criteria). Furthermore, stool consistency, degree of straining, abdominal pain severity, bloating severity, PAC-SYM, PAC-QoL, and use of rescue medication were assessed. Participants were screened at four clinical units in France for 2 weeks to confirm eligibility: no safety concerns, ≤3 CSBMs/week (recorded in daily diaries), followed by an 8-week intervention with daily supplementation of HN019 or placebo. HN019 was not found to be superior in managing FC compared to placebo. Fecal samples were collected from 50% of the participants for analyses of moisture content, microbiota, microbial metabolites, and calprotectin. These did not show any significant differences between the groups. This study did not support the expected effect of HN019 on improving CSBM frequency in participants with FC. No safety concerns related to B. lactis HN019 supplementation were identified. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT04231162.

Functionality and Bioactivity of Probiotic Semi-hard Cheese Made from Milk Treated by Pulsed Electric Field

Abstract This study aimed to assess the functional and bioactive properties of probiotic cheeses made from milk treated by pulsed electric field. Four semi-hard cheeses were made with four different treatments on milk: a control (untreated), pasteurized (65 °C, 30 min), and treated by pulsed electric fields at two different electric field strengths: 15 kV/cm and 25 kV/cm. The commercial probiotic, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 was added during cheese-making in all conditions. Microbial enumeration including probiotic survival, proteolysis, antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP), and antidiabetic properties (α-amylase, α-glucosidase) were assessed on cheeses. After cheese maturation (60 days, 8 °C), an in vitro digestion assay was performed. Pulsed electric field treatment had no effect on probiotic survival during cheese maturation. A significant increase in proteolysis values by 12–23% was observed in cheeses made from both milks treated by pulsed electric fields as compared to control. The susceptibility of milk protein to proteolysis tends to enhance with higher electric field strength. The α-amylase inhibition significantly increased in milk treated by both milks treated by pulsed electric fields with a tendency of inhibition enhancement at higher field strength. DPPH values tend also to be higher in both milks treated my pulsed electric fields although not significant. This work showed that PEF treatment under the parameters studied had limited effect on raw milk and cheese properties. This study showed that pulsed electric field treatment had the potential to enhance the health benefits of cheese especially on antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.

Extraction Processes, Bioaccessibility, Antioxidant Capacity, and Potential Prebiotic Effect of Co-Product Extracts From Fruits of the Spondias Genus.

This study evaluated which extraction methods among agitation (ethanol and water, 60min), ultrasonic bath-assisted (ethanol and water, 15min), and supercritical fluid extraction (CO₂ and ethanol, 40°C, 15 Mpa) would be superior for producing co-product extracts from seriguela (Spondias purpurea), caja (Spondias mombin), and umbu-caja (Spondias spp.). The bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and potential prebiotic effects were also investigated. The in vitro prebiotic effect of the extracts was tested using Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-3), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (CNPC004) through cell viability and pH monitoring over 48 h, along with their prebiotic score against an enteric mixture (Escherichia coli). Ultrasonic bath-assisted extraction achieved the highest antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content across all extracts; in contrast, supercritical fluid extraction exhibited the lowest results, primarily for the seriguela extract (32.09 ± 0.89mg GAE/100g). Although the bioaccessibility of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity decreases after in vitro digestion, some individual phenolics exhibited high bioaccessibility levels, such as epicatechin gallate (135.5%) in caja extract and 125.3% in seriguela; catechin (106.6%) in seriguela; and gallic acid (108.5%) in umbu-caja. All extracts positively influenced probiotic viability, with a 2-log CFU/mL growth in all strains by the end of incubation. Seriguela extract showed the best results, with a final pH of 3.57 and higher cell counts, particularly for CNPC004 (9 log CFU/mL), and the highest prebiotic score among the co-products. These findings indicate that ultrasound-assisted extraction effectively captures phenolic compounds from Spondias co-products, suggesting promising biological applications due to the bioaccessibility and prebiotic activity of the phenolic compounds. Practical Application: Extracts from Spondias fruit co-products offer innovative applications, combining antioxidant properties with potential prebiotic effects. These extracts can be utilized as functional ingredients in food products and nutraceuticals, highlighting their value in promoting health and well-being.

Characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis BB-12 postbiotics: In vivo and in vitro experiments against foodborne pathogens

Characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum and Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis BB-12 postbiotics: In vivo and in vitro experiments against foodborne pathogens

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-11 Promotes Height Growth in 3- to 7-Year-Old Children with Below-Average Height: A Self-controlled Clinical Trial

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-11 Promotes Height Growth in 3- to 7-Year-Old Children with Below-Average Height: A Self-controlled Clinical Trial

Evaluation of sapodilla pulp as a matrix for probiotic fermentation: Physicochemical changes, antioxidant potential, and in vitro digestibility during storage.

Evaluation of sapodilla pulp as a matrix for probiotic fermentation: Physicochemical changes, antioxidant potential, and in vitro digestibility during storage.

Biological and chemical synergy in chitin and chitosan production: The role of process sequencing in shrimp shell waste treatment.

Biological and chemical synergy in chitin and chitosan production: The role of process sequencing in shrimp shell waste treatment.

Effect of utilizing heart of date palm powder as a new source of dietary fibers, carbohydrates, and protein on the characterization and biological properties of low-fat bio-Labneh.

Effect of utilizing heart of date palm powder as a new source of dietary fibers, carbohydrates, and protein on the characterization and biological properties of low-fat bio-Labneh.

"Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Infectious and Gastrointestinal Complications of Critically Ill Patients: Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial."

"Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Infectious and Gastrointestinal Complications of Critically Ill Patients: Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial."

Comparison of qRT-PCR and ddPCR for multi-strain probiotic detection after a randomized human clinical trial

The ability to detect probiotic consumption during a human clinical trial is crucial to verify and validate placebo and verum groups in post hoc analysis. While bacterial plating is still a common method for detecting and counting bacteria, when dealing with complex matrices like fecal samples, and given that most probiotics share genera or even species with commensal bacteria, plate counting is not a precise or accurate enough method. Species-specific quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has been the most cited method in the literature and when properly validated and optimized remains the high watermark for detecting probiotics from fecal samples. Recent advancements in PCR technology have given rise to a parallel platform, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). In this work we aimed to detect the components of a multi-strain probiotic product from a human clinical trial and compare both methods. This work dually demonstrates a process for determining multi-strain detection criteria as well as directly comparing the methods through the lens of sensitivity and specificity or the ability to properly discern true positives and true negatives. We described the optimization and validation of three assays for use in our detection panel and observed that, between qRT-PCR and ddPCR. The two methods were found to be quite congruent with ddPCR demonstrating a 10–100 fold lower limit of detection. Moreover, we discovered that most of the sensitivity and specificity had come from a single assay alone (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04). This is despite all three assays performing well in optimization and validation. This suggests that more work needs to be done in the validation stage when developing novel probiotic detection assays. Taken together we can recommend ddPCR as a method for detecting probiotics from human clinical trials, but that qRT-PCR still performs well and comparably to ddPCR, when properly optimized and validated. However, when novel assays or those with unknown performance in a given biological matrix are needed, employing a strategy that combines multiple assays in a layered discrimination approach can help mitigate the potential underperformance of any single assay.

Co-Culturing Yogurt Bacteria with Probiotics Increased Melatonin Content and Enhanced the Antioxidant Activity of Soy Milk Yogurt

Research background. Functional foods that improve sleep quality are attracting increasing attention. Melatonin is a key component that regulates circadian rhythms in humans. Soy milk yogurt contains melatonin and antioxidants and has beneficial health properties. Many previous authors have investigated soy milk yogurt produced by probiotic bacteria. This is the first study to explore the effect of using yogurt bacteria co-cultured with probiotics to improve melatonin content and antioxidant activity. This research investigated the melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan contents, antioxidant activity, physical characteristics, and sensory properties of soy milk yogurt bacteria co‐cultured with different probiotics. Experimental approach. Soy milk was fermented using four combinations of yogurt bacteria and probiotics including Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus (control, SB-YC), Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus (SB-BY), B. lactis, L. acidophilus and S. thermophilus (SB-BT), and L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus (SB-LA). The yogurt samples were determined for melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan content using LC-MS/MS, antioxidant activity, and quality characteristics including syneresis, texture profile analysis, color, and sensory evaluation. Results and conclusions. The highest melatonin levels were detected in soy milk yogurt fermented with SB-BY (21.20 ng/g) and SB-YC (23.51 ng/g), while the highest tryptophan content was found in SB-LA (397.18 ng/g). Fermentation using different bacterial culture combinations resulted in varied antioxidant activities. The SB-LA yogurt exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity, as indicated by DPPH IC50 (10.69 mg/mL), ABTS IC50 (0.51 mg/mL), and FRAP (2577.86 μgFeSO4/g) assays. Incorporating a mixture of yogurt bacteria and probiotics enhanced the color values (L*, a*, b*), syneresis, and texture profiles of the soy milk yogurt. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that yogurt fermented with S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, and B. lactis received a favorable overall liking score. The successful co-culture of probiotics (B. lactis and L. acidophilus) with yogurt bacteria produced soy milk yogurt enriched with melatonin, tryptophan, and antioxidants while maintaining acceptable quality characteristics. Novelty and scientific contribution. Co-culturing yogurt bacteria and probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus; SB-BY) or L. acidophilus (SB-LA) improved melatonin production, antioxidant activity, and overall yogurt quality, providing valuable insights for developing functional foods to promote sleep and health.

Prebiotic activity comparison of eight oligosaccharides: selection of a potential synbiotic containing konjac manna-oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12

Various types of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have attracted tremendous interest due to their healthy functions in regulating intestinal microbiota. Whereas the specificity of different NDOs towards certain intestinal bacterial species remains unclear. In this study, konjac manna-oligosaccharides (KMOS) were selected from eight NDOs through in vitro faecal batch fermentation. KMOS accelerated increase of recognised probiotics (Bifidobacterium spp. and Akkermansia spp.) and achieved the highest productions of lactic acid and total short-chain fatty acids (42.0 mM). β-Mannosidase and β-glucosidase played important role in the utilisation of KMOS, and mannobiose and glucosyl-mannobiose were preferentially consumed by faecal microbiota. In pure culture, the utilisation of KMOS was tested with nine Bifidobacterium strains. Amongst, KMOS increased the cell density of B. animalis BB-12 by 3.5 folds and improved its adhesion ability to Caco-2 cell by 3.1 folds, suggesting that KMOS and B. animalis BB-12 may be developed as a potential synbiotic combination.

Comparative Genomics of Transporter Proteins in Lactic Acid Bacteria

Although lactic acid bacteria (LABs) possess unique metabolic and physiological characteristics that have crucial effects on the transport of substances both into and out of the cell, there is still a lack of systematic research on membrane transporters in LABs and their roles in material transport. In this study, genomic data for the species Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus, Leuconostoc lactis, Pediococcus lactis, Lactococcus garvieae, and Bifidobacterium lactis were analyzed to identify the associated transport systems, including what kind of substances are transported. As part of a comparative genomics approach, we used the G-BLAST and AveHAS programs in the TCDB database to screen for transport proteins and clarify the distribution of these proteins in different Lactobacillus strains, allowing for further prediction of their transport substrates. Studies have shown that the distributions of these transporters differ among the selected LAB strains. Through screening and tabulation, we found that the content of transporters in the six LAB proteomes was greater than 20%, with the dominance of the large transporter group indicating complex metabolic and probiotic effects. Furthermore, it was found that the LAB strains contain a variety of homologs of drug-efflux proteins, which may make them resistant to antibiotics, as well as a large number of toxin-related transporters. This study allowed for reasonable predictions of the roles of toxin-related proteins in LABs, and further research on these proteins may be valuable for understanding the probiotic effects of LABs that arise through competition. The study of LAB transporters and the prediction of their functions might support a better understanding of the metabolic and physiological activities of these bacteria. In the future, we aim to extract DNA from laboratory strains and perform PCR amplification using suitable primers designed by us. Through comparison of the obtained gene sequences with those reported in this study, we can explore the differences among them.

CLA-Producing Probiotics for the Development of a Yogurt-Type Beverage

This study examined the ability of four beneficial strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus LbRE-LSAS, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12, and two yogurt starters TA040 and LB340) to ferment MRS or milk containing free linoleic acid (0, 0.5, or 1 mg/mL). The goal was to produce an enriched conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers’ yogurt-type beverage. Linoleic acid (LA) at 0.5 mg/mL did not interfere with the growth of the assayed bacteria on de Man Rogosa and Sharpe broth (MRS) or milk. On the other hand, increasing the content of LA in the MRS or yogurt-type beverage to 1 mg/mL slightly inhibited all strains and prevented accumulating high biomasses. A gas chromatography analysis of the fatty acid profiles confirmed the bioconversion of LA. The yogurt starters TA040 and LB340 had the highest bioconversion rates in the yogurt-type beverages, whereas the probiotic Bb12 strain was the most interesting at converting LA into its active CLA. CLA from the MRS supernatants of TA040, Bb12, and LbRE-LSAS had maximum antibacterial activities against S. typhimurium, E. coli, and S. aureus, respectively. Whey from the Bb12 beverage showed an inhibitory effect against all pathogens. These results suggest that all strains could be used as starter cultures in the proposition of a yogurt-type beverage with a high CLA content and antibacterial potential.

The potential of novel gut microbiota supplement in mitigating gut inflammation, alleviating oxidative stress linked to aging, and improving cognitive function in aged mice

BackgroundAging is a physiological process that impacts multiple systems of organs. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly, and it is a major problem in aging societies. The development of AD is linked to an accumulation of amyloid beta and Tau proteins, which impair cognition and cause memory loss.PurposeWe studied whether probiotics strains could protect and how effectively probiotics might delay age-related changes.MethodsTwo probiotics, Lactobacillus paracasei MSMC39-1 and Bifidobacterium animalis MSMC83 strain, were administered orally to mice beginning in middle age and continuing into aged mice. The mice were subsequently monitored and assessed for inflammation and oxidative stress in the colon, brain, and liver tissues, as well as for overall health, over a period of 16 weeks.ResultsWe found aged mice received the combination of these probiotics showed a lower level of inflammatory markers and improved overall health compared to the control group. MSMC39-1 and MSMC83 enhance gut integrity and general well-being in aged mice and result in improved cognitive memory.ConclusionOur findings suggest that these probiotics supplements may be particularly useful in strategies for the prevention of age-related pathologies by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn would slow disease progression.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.