Lactobacillus Spp Research Articles

Giardia antagonizes beneficial functions of indigenous and therapeutic intestinal bacteria during protein deficiency

ABSTRACT Undernutrition in children commonly disrupts the structure and function of the small intestinal microbial community, leading to enteropathies, compromised metabolic health, and impaired growth and development. The mechanisms by which diet and microbes mediate the balance between commensal and pathogenic intestinal flora remain elusive. In a murine model of undernutrition, we investigated the direct interactions Giardia lamblia, a prevalent small intestinal pathogen, on indigenous microbiota and specifically on Lactobacillus strains known for their mucosal and growth homeostatic properties. Our research reveals that Giardia colonization shifts the balance of lactic acid bacteria, causing a relative decrease in Lactobacillus spp. and an increase in Bifidobacterium spp. This alteration corresponds with a decrease in multiple indicators of mucosal and nutritional homeostasis. Additionally, protein-deficient conditions coupled with Giardia infection exacerbate the rise of primary bile acids and susceptibility to bile acid-induced intestinal barrier damage. In epithelial cell monolayers, Lactobacillus spp. mitigated bile acid-induced permeability, showing strain-dependent protective effects. In vivo, L. plantarum, either alone or within a Lactobacillus spp consortium, facilitated growth in protein-deficient mice, an effect attenuated by Giardia, despite not inhibiting Lactobacillus colonization. These results highlight Giardia’s potential role as a disruptor of probiotic functional activity, underscoring the imperative for further research into the complex interactions between parasites and bacteria under conditions of nutritional deficiency.

Urogenital colonization and pathogenicity of E. Coli in the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy

This study explores the role of the vaginal microbiota (VM) in the pathophysiology of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in a cohort of 1,553 pregnant women. Worldwide, E. coli remains the most common etiological agent of bacteriuria during pregnancy and also a major causative agent of newborn infections. A healthy VM is typically characterized by low diversity and is dominated by lactic acid-producing species, notably those from the Lactobacillus genus. Our results point to decreases in Lactobacillus spp associated with an increase of gut-microbiota-associated species from the Enterobacterales order. Escherichia coli exhibited the most pronounced increase in abundance within the VM during bacteriuria and was notably associated with ASB. Molecular typing and antimicrobial resistance characterization of 72 metagenome assembled E. coli genomes (MAGs) from these pregnant women revealed a genomic signature of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (“ExPEC”) strains, which are involved in various extraintestinal infections such as urinary tract infections, newborn infections and bacteremia. Microbial diversity within the vaginal samples from which an E. coli MAG was obtained showed a substantial variation, primarily marked by a decrease in abundance of Lactobacillus species. Overall, our study shows how disruption in key bacterial group within the VM can disrupt its stability, potentially leading to the colonization by opportunistic pathogens.

A Multi-Strain Oral Probiotic Improves the Balance of the Vaginal Microbiota in Women with Asymptomatic Bacterial Vaginosis: Preliminary Evidence

Background/Objectives: the vaginal microbiota is known to confer protection in the genital ecosystem, due to the predominance of different Lactobacillus species, playing a crucial role in women’s health; alterations in the composition of the microbial communities in the vagina can be associated with the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Current therapy for BV involves oral or intravaginal administration of metronidazole or clindamycin, albeit the high recurrence rates suggest a need for alternative therapeutic tools, such as probiotics. Herein, the diversity and composition of vaginal microbiota in women with asymptomatic BV was investigated before and after the oral administration of a multi-strain probiotic formulation. Methods: a prospective observational pilot study with pre–post design was carried out from 1 June 2022, to 31 December 2022, on reproductive-age women with asymptomatic BV, as diagnosed via Nugent score, and matched healthy controls. The probiotic was administered to all study participants as acid-resistant oral capsules (twice daily), and a vaginal swab was collected at baseline and after 2 months of treatment, for the metagenomic analysis of 16s rDNA. Results: the diversity and richness of the vaginal microbiota in women with BV were significantly reduced after 2 months of supplementation with the oral probiotic, as evidenced by measures of α-diversity. Interestingly, some bacterial genera typically associated with dysbiosis, such as Megasphaera spp., were significantly decreased; whereas, at the same time, Lactobacillus spp. Doubled. Conclusions: our preliminary results suggest that the multi-strain oral probiotic is a beneficial treatment specifically targeting the dysbiotic vaginal microenvironment.

Antimicrobial Action of Lactobacillus spp. Isolated from Yoghurt against Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes: A Pilot Study

Milk has been a dietary staple around the world for centuries. In recent years, consumer interest in healthy foods and organic products has increased due to their health-promoting properties. Fermented dairy products, including yoghurt, are receiving special attention for their properties and the presence of probiotic bacteria. The quantitative and qualitative (MALDI TOF MS) evaluation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in different types of yoghurt (with different shelf lives) was carried out. The effect of the Lactobacillus spp. strains isolated from yoghurts (with potential antimicrobial activity) against foodborne pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes) was evaluated. The presence of Lactobacillus spp. (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus paracasei) in the tested yoghurts was demonstrated. In the samples tested, not all the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) declared by the manufacturer were identified. The number of live bacteria present in the product was influenced by the type of yoghurt. The number of bacteria did not fall below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level by the last day of validity. It was shown that a mixed culture (L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei, isolated from tested yoghurts) had the most significant effect on changing the number of pathogenic microorganisms. The consumption of dairy products, which are a source of LAB, can reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen infections.

Identification and characterisation of dextran produced by a novel high yielding Weissella cibaria Fiplydextran strain

An exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacterial strain was isolated from fermented soy milk and identified as Weissella cibaria strain Fiplydextran through morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Here, we report the optimisation of cultural conditions for the organism to achieve maximum EPS production, along with its molecular characterisation, functional properties, and prebiotic potential. The exceptionally high EPS yield (0.61 g per g of sucrose) was obtained from the optimised medium (200 g/L of sucrose, 15 g/L of yeast extract) at 30 °C after 48 h. HPAEC-PAD analysis revealed that the EPS is homopolymer of glucose having Mw as 3.23 × 107 Da determined using viscosity method. Methylation analysis and NMR results confirmed the EPS as dextran with α (1 → 6)-linkage (96.5 %) as main chain and α (1 → 3)- as branch chain linkage (3.5 %). Thermogravimetric analysis exhibited higher thermal stability of EPS. The EPS was observed to support the growth of Bacteroides spp. in pure culture form but not that of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium spp. However, a low level of bifidogenic activity was observed upon use of mixed culture of B. fragilis and B. longum. The research implies industrial applications of W. cibaria Fiplydextran for the production of high molecular weight dextran with better yield.

Isolation of Lactobacillus spp. from Healthy Infants' Feces and Study of their Antibiotic Susceptibility

This study aimed to isolate Lactobacillus spp. bacteria from the feces of healthy newborns and investigate their susceptibility to antibiotic resistance. 120 fecal samples were obtained from infants under 12 months of age and susceptibility was identified using biochemical tests and molecular identification methods. A total of 30 positive isolates, chosen randomly from the 90 positive samples, were selected to conduct a safety assessment. the isolates were analyzed for their hemolytic activity and susceptibility to antibiotics. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, a total of 30 positive isolates were determined to be lactobacillus spp. The results of the antibiotic resistance test indicated that the majority of the isolates showed susceptibility to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, clindamycin, and amoxicillin while demonstrating resistance to vancomycin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, and amikacin. conclusion: Based on these specific traits, the isolates of Lactobacillus spp. demonstrated favorable qualities as probiotics.

Characteristics of Lactobacillus Spp. Isolated From the Infant’s Feces As a Potential Probiotic in Vitro

This study aimed to identify and characterize the potential probiotic Lactobacillus spp isolated from healthy newborns' feces and assessed in vitro. This study examined the strain for resistance to (pH 2, 3 h), and antimicrobial activities against some human pathogenic strains (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) of thirty positive isolates were assessed. Lactobacillus spp. showed tolerance properties to acid conditions Furthermore, they exhibited survival at pH 2 in the existence of pepsin. Using the well-diffusion method, all strains demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against enteropathogens. Furthermore, cell-free culture supernatants with low pH had great antimicrobial activity and displayed this effect against S. aureus more than the effect against E,coli only as a result. Thus, the thirty Lactobacillus strains could be considered as potential probiotics, but further in vitro and in vivo studies on these probiotic strains are still required.

Evaluating the Probiotic Profile, Antioxidant Properties, and Safety of Indigenous Lactobacillus spp. Inhabiting Fermented Green Tender Coconut Water

Evaluating the Probiotic Profile, Antioxidant Properties, and Safety of Indigenous Lactobacillus spp. Inhabiting Fermented Green Tender Coconut Water

Bacteroides uniformis degrades β-glucan to promote Lactobacillus johnsonii improving indole-3-lactic acid levels in alleviating colitis

BackgroundIntake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of inflammatory bowel disease. β-Glucan (BG), a bioactive dietary fiber, has potential health-promoting effects on intestinal functions; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we explore the role of BG in ameliorating colitis by modulating key bacteria and metabolites, confirmed by multiple validation experiments and loss-of-function studies, and reveal a novel bacterial cross-feeding interaction.ResultsBG intervention ameliorates colitis and reverses Lactobacillus reduction in colitic mice, and Lactobacillus abundance was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of colitis. It was confirmed by further studies that Lactobacillus johnsonii was the most significantly enriched Lactobacillus spp. Multi-omics analysis revealed that L. johnsonii produced abundant indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) leading to the activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) responsible for the mitigation of colitis. Interestingly, L. johnsonii cannot utilize BG but requires a cross-feeding with Bacteroides uniformis, which degrades BG and produces nicotinamide (NAM) to promote the growth of L. johnsonii. A proof-of-concept study confirmed that BG increases L. johnsonii and B. uniformis abundance and ILA levels in healthy individuals.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate the mechanism by which BG ameliorates colitis via L. johnsonii–ILA–AhR axis and reveal the important cross-feeding interaction between L. johnsonii and B. uniformis.BsYQ6kaZHXkFsG8eqgZ27EVideo Graphical

Chitosan and its derivatives regulate lactic acid synthesis during milk fermentation.

The influence of chitosan's physicochemical characteristics on the functionality of lactic acid bacteria and the production of lactic acid remains very obscure and contradictory to date. While some studies have shown a stimulatory effect of oligochitosans on the growth of Lactobacillus spp, other studies declare a bactericidal effect of chitosan. The lack and contradiction of knowledge prompted us to study the effect of chitosan on the growth and productivity of L. bulgaricus in the presence of chitosan and its derivatives. We used high molecular weight chitosan (350 kDa) and oligochitosans (25.4 and 45.3 kDa). The experiment was carried out with commercial strain of L. bulgaricus and the low fat skim cow milk powder reconstituted with sterile distilled water. After fermentation, dynamic viscosity, titratable acidity, pH, content of lactic acid, colony forming units, chitosan and oligochitosans radii were measured in the samples. Fermented dairy products were also examined using sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoretic analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and light microscopy. The results of the study showed that when L. bulgaricus was cultured in the presence of 25.4 kDa oligochitosans at concentrations of 0.0025%, 0.005%, 0.0075% and 0.01%, the average rate of LA synthesis over 24 hours was 11.0 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 8.7 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 6.8 × 10-3 mol/L/h, 5.8 × 10-3 mol/L/h, respectively. The 45.3 kDa oligochitosans had a similar effect, while the average rate of lactic acid synthesis in the control sample was only 3.5 × 10-3 mol/L/h. Notably, 350 kDa chitosan did not affect the rate of lactic acid synthesis compared with the control sample. Interestingly, interaction of chitosan with L. bulgaricus led to a slowdown in the synthesis of propanol, an increase in the content of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, and a change in the composition and content of other secondary metabolites. The quantity of L. bulgaricus in a sample with 0.01% chitosan exceeded their content in the control sample by more than 1,700 times. At the same chitosan concentration, the fermentation process was slowed down, increasing the shelf life of the fermented milk product from 5 to 17 days while maintaining a high content of L. bulgaricus (6.34 × 106 CFU/g).

Features of the relationship of intestinal microbiota indicators with clinical and biochemical parameters in obese young people

The prevalence of obesity is rising dramatically worldwide. Recently, there is increasing evidence linking obesity with the functional state of the intestinal microbiota. The understanding of this relationship may provide new approaches to the treatment of obesity by manipulating the qualitative and quantitative parameters of intestinal bacterial-fungal associations. To study the features of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the colon microbiota and to evaluate associations with anamnestic, anthropometric and biochemical parameters in young obese patients. A single-center, cross-sectional, single-stage, controlled study was conducted with the participation of 118 young people, of whom 87 were obese, and 31 people with normal body weight formed the control group. All participants underwent a biochemical blood test (total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, uric acid, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein), as well as an assessment of the state of the colon microbiota using polymerase chain reaction in real time using a set of Colonoflor-16 (premium) reagents. The Microsoft Excel 2010 and IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 application software package was used for statistical calculations. The results were evaluated as statistically significant at a level of p<0.05. Analyzing the result of Colonoflor-16 premium, the discrepancy between the obtained data of the control group and the reference values of the analysis was revealed. There was a clear tendency to decrease the content of Lactobacillus spp and Bifidobacterium spp in the obesity group. In addition, in comparison with the control group (10.3%), in the obesity group Fusobacterium nucleatum significantly prevailed (37.6%) (p=0.005), with a significant decrease in the bacteria Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (p=0.030), and an increase in the bacteria Prevotella spp (p=0.029). A lot of associations of representatives of the colon microbiota with the most important anamnestic, anthropometric and biochemical parameters were revealed in young obese patients. There is a redistribution of microbiota phylotypes characterized by a decrease in apathogenic microorganisms and the appearance and increase of opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms, which generally indicates the formation of the pro-inflammatory potential of dominants and associates in young obese patients. The presence of statistically significant correlations strongly indicates of existence of close and diverse relationships between the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the microbiota and the metabolic parameters of patients.

Isolation, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates from unused diapers sold in major markets in Enugu Metropolis: Clinical and policy perspectives.

Diapers, being one of the most used items for infant care, it is imperative that they are always free of contamination from microorganisms. The objective of this study is to determine the rate of bacterial contamination and the antibiotics profile of isolated bacteria from unused diapers sold in markets in Enugu Metropolis, southeast Nigeria. The study also investigated the effectiveness of the Nigerian Consumer protection laws towards maintaining the standard of care for infants and toddlers. Fifty pieces of different brands of diapers were sampled for bacterial contamination using standard bacteriological procedures. The results show that out of 50 samples analyzed, bacterial growths were identified in 9 (18%), of which five different bacterial species were isolated. The most prevalent being Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus 3 (33.3%). Other bacteria isolated were Lactobacillus spp, Klebsiella spp, and Streptococcus spp 1 (11.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of the bacterial contamination of diapers across the different brands(p>0.05). We conclude that baby diapers sold in markets in Enugu metropolis are prone to contamination with bacteria.We recommend that appropriate measures should be taken during the manufacturing process to reduce or prevent the incidence of bacterial contamination of diapers.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Effects of an Oral Rinse Containing Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus Species.

Dental caries, primarily caused by Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp., is a major global health issue. There is a growing need for effective, natural antimicrobial treatments. Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum are known for their medicinal properties, including antimicrobial activity. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of a herbal oral rinse derived from these plants. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an herbal formulation-based oral rinse prepared from Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. Fresh leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum were shade-dried, powdered, and extracted in distilled water. The extract was incorporated into an oral rinse formulation. The antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion method, protein leakage and cytoplasmic leakage assays, and time-kill curve analysis. A commercial oral rinse was used as a standard. The herbal oral rinse exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. The zones of inhibition for Streptococcus mutans were 10 mm, 13 mm, and 15 mm at concentrations of 25 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, and 100 µg/mL, respectively. For Lactobacillus spp., the inhibition zones were 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm at the same concentrations. The protein leakage and cytoplasmic leakage analysis supported these findings, demonstrating the formulation's efficacy at low concentrations. Time-kill curve assays showed rapid bactericidal action, particularly at higher concentrations. The Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ocimum gratissimum-based herbal oral rinse demonstrates strong antibacterial activity against key oral pathogens, suggesting that it could be a natural alternative to conventional oral rinses.

State of the vaginal biocenosis depending on the species diversity of lactobacilli

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common reproductive health problems in women. Lactobacillus spp. play a leading role in the vaginal biocenosis and provide local antimicrobial defense, but not all species are equally capable of protecting the vaginal ecosystem from pathogens. Diagnostic methods in practical healthcare do not allow identification of Lactobacillus spp. species, which limits the ability to comprehensively assess the status of the vaginal biocenosis. We conducted a study in which we compared microscopy data of the examined smear with the detection of Lactobacillus spp. and other microorganisms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the species composition of Lactobacillus spp. from the vagina depending on morphologic characteristics and composition of associated flora. The study included 64 conditionally healthy women of reproductive age from 18 to 35 years old. The study of species composition of the vaginal biocenosis and typing of lactobacilli was carried out by real-time PCR methods. The obtained results were processed using generally accepted methods of descriptive and ordinal statistics. During the study, it was found that the vaginal biocenosis was dominated by species of Lactobacillus spp. L. crispatus, L. vaginalis, L. iners and L. jensenii. L. johnsonii was rarely found, and L. acidophilus was not detected. Typing results showed that the vagina was more frequently colonized by more than one species of Lactobacillus spp. while a single species of Lactobacillus spp. was detected less frequently. A correlation was found between Lactobacillus spp. species and bacilli thickness. If thick bacilli are detected in gynecological smear microscopy, they belong to the species L. crispatus, which has high colonization resistance and is a factor in the stability of the vaginal biocenosis. If smear microscopy reveals thin bacilli, then these are species of L. iners and L. jensenii. These representatives of Lactobacillus spp. are not directly related to the dysbiotic state of the vagina, but may indicate the possible development of dysbiosis in the future.

A novel antidepressant homogeneous polysaccharide YLP-1 from Millettia pulchra ameliorates tryptophan metabolism and SCFAs through modulating gut microbiota

The root of Millettia pulchra (YLS) has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment of depression and insomnia in the Zhuang nationality of China, and its polysaccharides have potential antidepressant effect. In this study, a novel homogeneous polysaccharide (YLP-1) was purified from the crude polysaccharides of YLS, and it is mainly composed of glucose, arabinose and mannose with molar ratio of 87.25%, 10.77%, and 1.98%, respectively. YLP-1 is a novel α-glucan with the backbone of 1,4-Glcp and branched at C6 of 1,4,6-Glcp to combine 1,4-Manp and 1,5-Araf. The microstructure of YLP-1 displayed a uniform ellipsoidal-like chain morphology and dispersed uniformly in solution. YLP-1 effectively ameliorated depression-like ethological behaviors and restored the decreased catecholamine levels in chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced depression rats. Additionally, it significantly improved the disturbance of gut microbiota induced by CVS stimuli, particularly affecting bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as bacteria species Lactobacillus spp.. In vitro fermentation study further confirmed that YLP-1 intake could promote SCFAs production by Lactobacillus spp. YLP-1 also mitigated the disruption of tryptophan metabolites in urine and serum. These findings provide evidences for the further development of YLP-1 as a macromolecular antidepressant drug.

Chemical profile by GC-MS and protective effect of Algerian cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) against Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. isolated from dental caries

The oral cavity is home to a large and diversified microbial flora, which plays an important role in the genesis of multiple diseases, including tooth decay. Indeed, tooth decay is the most common ailment in the world, with almost everyone having experienced it at least once in their lifetime. Examining plants used in traditional medicine is one of the research approaches used to discover novel, potent antibacterial chemicals with a broad spectrum of action, as present antibacterials have significant drawbacks. This study aims to examine the chemical composition of Algerian clove Syzygium aromaticum using GC-MS and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the methanol extract against bacteria isolated from dental caries caused by Streptococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. The results show a strong extraction yield of 29.7%, with high amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids calculated at 178.82 mg GAEQ/g and 24.13 mg QEQ/g. The principal chemical elements of S. aromaticum peel methanol extract were identified as eugenol (61.23%) and eugenol acetate (26.45%) based on mass spectrum data and retention times. The methanol extract has a significant antibacterial effect against tested strains, with MICs ranging from 111.37 to 445.5 mg/mL. Higher concentrations of polyphenols resulted in a significant increase in inhibition zone diameter against S1 (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001), L3 (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001), L5 (r2 = 0.93, p < 0.001), and L9 (r2 = 0.96, p < 0.001).

P-307 Evaluation of pregnancy rates post-probiotic treatment in patients with varied Lactobacillus species in pre-transfer endometrial microbiome analysis

Abstract Study question Are there differences in clinical outcomes based on the predominant species of Lactobacillus in the endometrium of patients treated with probiotics? Summary answer No discernible variations in clinical outcomes were noted based on the Lactobacillus species identified in the pre-transfer microbiome analysis after personalized probiotic treatment. What is known already Lactobacillus is the genus with the greatest presence in the female reproductive tract. They are responsible for acidifying the environment and play an important role in the prevention of excessive proliferation of pathogens through different mechanisms (competitive inhibition or production of antimicrobial compounds). Among the species of Lactobacillus, crispatus, iners, jensenii and gasseri are the most frequent in the endometrium. Lactobacillus species share some genus-specific characteristics. However, there are differences in the production of antimicrobial compounds among the species: L. iners has a lower production of hydrogen peroxide and lower anti-inflammatory capacity and therefore has lower protective capacity against pathogens. Study design, size, duration A retrospective study analyzed with 209 endometrial samples from 164 patients with previous implantation failure or miscarriage (average age= 41.47-/+4.66 years). Patients underwent endometrial microbiota testing between May 2021 and December 2022. Following analysis, patients received personalized probiotic treatment based on results, particularly tailored for L. iners overgrowth. One hundred and thirty-five patients underwent an embryo transfer after completing the treatment. Participants/materials, setting, methods DNA from endometrial biopsies was analyzed to detect bacteria, fungi and viruses. To evaluate the potential impact of L. iners presence, clinical outcomes were calculated across patient groups with varying percentages of this Lactobacillus species. These rates were compared to those of L. crispatus, known as the most favourable species. Furthermore, the analysis subdivided the detected percentages of each species into differente ranges to discern potential variations in clinical outcomes based on the percentage levels. Main results and the role of chance The overall implantation rate following probiotic and antibiotic treatment (as needed) was 52.59%, with a clinical pregnancy rate of 46.67%. Notably, no statistically significant differences were observed in between patients with a dominant Lactobacillus microbiome (>90%) and those without prior to the treatments. These findings were anticipated, given the probiotic treatment’s inclusion of Lactobacillus strains, which foster an acidic environment conducive to the establishment of endometrial Lactobacillus species. Interestingly, regardless of the percentage of L. crispatus detected in the endometrial biopsy prior to probiotic treatment, implantation rates remained consistently above 50%, with no statistically significant differences observed. Conversely, patients with a high percentage of L. iners (>75%) exhibited a lower implantation rate of 38%, though this disparity was not statistically significant compared to patients with a high percentage of L. crispatus. No statistically significant differences were observed in the clinical outcomes comparing L. crispatus and L. iners. However, high % of L. crispatus was associated with a lower miscarriage rate compared to high % of L. iners (13%vs22%, respectively). This may be attributed to the treatment administered prior transfer, which aims to rebalance Lactobacillus composition, especially in cases of L. iners dominance. Limitations, reasons for caution All patients included in this study underwent personalized probiotic treatment before embryo transfer, limiting the ability to directly assess the impact of L. iners on pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, increasing the number of patients would strengthen the study’s findings and confirm the observed findings. Wider implications of the findings Microbiota studies can effectively identify various species within the same genus (Lactobacillus spp). Personalized probiotic treatment appeared to balance endometrial microbiota, not only increasing the percentage of Lactobacillus in patients with a non- dominant Lactobacillus environment, but also modify the type of Lactobacillus species that are present in the endometrium. Trial registration number not applicable

Plasmid Profile of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Ogi Encolding for Acetaldehyde in Yoghurt

An investigation was carried out on the plasmid profile of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Ogi samples collected randomly from Bodija market, a local market in Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria. Morphological, cultural and physiological characterization was employed to isolate and identify each strain of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Lactobacillus spp namely Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus casei were identified. The isolates were inoculated in pasteurized milk to produce Yoghurt (fermented milk product) and were screened for acetaldehyde production using HPLC model Agilent technologies1200. Plasmid profiling of each isolate was done and each isolates harbored plasmid bands. Distinct plasmid bands were seen using the gel electrophoresis of plasmid DNA method. The results shows that acetaldehyde production of the isolates varied from strain to strain and hence could be used as starter culture for yoghurt production with market acceptability.

Developing Starter Culture from Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Cow Milk for the Production of Nigerian “Nunu”

Starter cultures are mostly organisms deliberately introduced into food as a single culture or mixture of cultures to bring about fermentation and production of desired characteristics in food through metabolic and enzymatic activities. Organisms in this category have attained the generally regarded as safe (GRAS) status, are majorly lactic acid bacteria with food acidification and production of natural preservatives potential. This research was aimed at developing a starter culture for the production of local dairy drink “Nunu” Cow milk was obtained from “Gaa Mobolohunduro”, Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Potential lactose fermenters were isolated on MRS agar in pour plate technique. The isolates were characterized and identified using standard procedures. Lactic Acid Bacteria isolated were inoculated as a starter culture for milk fermentation and the products were subjected to pH, titratable acid and organoleptic assessments following standard procedures. Two of the isolated lactic acid bacteria with the best fermentation products were identified through molecular technique. A total of six isolates were obtained and identified as Lactococcus sp., Leuconostoc sp., Pediococcus sp. and Lactobacillus spp. The pH ranges from 5.46±0.01 to 6.03±0.01while the titratable acidity ranged from 0.244±0.004 to 0.526±0.006. The moisture content ranged from 90.50±0.30 to 91.75±0.35. The fermentation product from the isolated Lactobacillus sp. scored 80 % during the organoleptic assessment. Molecular evidence confirmed the two isolates as Lactic Acid Bacteria. In conclusion, isolated species could be used as potential organisms for milk fermentation.

Dietary Kluyveromyces marxianus hydrolysate alters humoral immunity, jejunal morphology, cecal microbiota and metabolic pathways in broiler chickens raised under a high stocking density

This study investigated the impact of dietary supplementation with hydrolyzed yeast (Kluyveromyces marxianus) on growth performance, humoral immunity, jejunal morphology, cecal microbiota and metabolic pathways in broilers raised at 45 kg/m2. A total of 1,176 mixed sex 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers were distributed into 42 pens and randomly assigned to either the control group, the control + 250 g hydrolyzed yeast (HY)/ton, 250HY group, or the control + 500 g HY/ton, 500HY group for 42 d. HY did not affect growth performance. However, HY reduced (P < 0.05) mortality at 25 to 35 d. Dietary HY lowered the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio and enhanced the villus height/crypt depth ratio and Newcastle disease titer (P < 0.05). Compared with HY250 and the control, HY500 upregulated (P < 0.05) IL-10. HY enhanced the α diversity, inferring the richness and evenness of the ceca microbiota. HY500 had greater β diversity than the control (P < 0.05). Six bacterial phyla, namely, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria, were found. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was greater in the HY500 treatment group than in the HY250 and control groups. HY decreased the abundance of Actinobacteria. HY supplementation altered (P < 0.05) the abundance of 8 higher-level taxa consisting of 2 classes (Bacilli and Clostridia), 1 order (Lactobacillales), 1 family (Streptococcaceae), and five genera (Streptococcus, Lachnospiraceae_uc, Akkermansiaceae, PACO01270_g, and LLKB_g). HY500 improved (P < 0.05) the abundance of Bacilli, Clostridia, Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae, Streptococcus, PACO01270_g, and Lachnospiraceae_uc, while HY250 enhanced (P < 0.05) the abundance of Akkermansiaceae and LLKB_g. HY improved the abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia spp. Minimal set of pathway analyses revealed that compared with the control, both HY250 and HY500 regulated 20 metabolic pathways. These findings suggest that dietary K. marxianus hydrolysate, especially HY500, improved humoral immunity and jejunal morphology and beneficially altered the composition and metabolic pathways of the cecal microbiota in broilers raised at 45 kg/m2.