Probiotic Suspension Research Articles

Respiratory Delivery of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG by Vibrating-Mesh and Jet Nebulisation

Background: The use of probiotic bacteria to improve lung health has been gaining interest. Although the oral delivery of probiotics and their effects are well documented, there is currently limited knowledge on the respiratory delivery of probiotics. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether nebulisation is suitable for delivering Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) into the lungs for the potential treatment of bacterial pulmonary infections. Methods: It compared the dose output and aerosol performance of a vibrating-mesh nebuliser (VMN) and a jet nebuliser (JN) in nebulising LGG suspended in de Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS) broth, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or normal saline (0.9% w/v sodium chloride in water). Results: The VMN consistently produced a higher output than the JN for all liquid media, indicating that VMN was more efficient. The fine-particle fractions of both nebulisers were comparable for a given medium. The highest fine-particle fraction was achieved with LGG suspended in MRS broth for both nebulisers (20.5 ± 2.8% for VMN; 18.7 ± 3.4% for JN). This suggests that the aerosol performance of nebulised probiotics may depend on the medium in which the probiotic bacteria were suspended. Conclusions: Therefore, this study demonstrated that the nebulisation efficiency of LGG depended on the nebuliser type and liquid medium of the probiotic suspension.

Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Bacillus probiotic spores in children with persistent diarrhea

Persistent diarrhea in children under 24 months old has been a global public health concern, including in Vietnam. Therefore, the authors conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of two Bacillus spore probiotic suspensions, namely LiveSpo CLAUSY containing B. clausii at 2 billion CFU/5 ml ampoule; and LiveSpo DIA30 containing B. subtilis, B. clausii, and B. coagulans at 5 billion CFU/5 ml ampoule, as a supportive treatment for children with persistent diarrhea. Children were randomly allocated into the control (using RO water) and two experimental groups, Clausy (using LiveSpo CLAUSY) and Dia30 (using LiveSpo DIA30), n=30/group. All three groups were treated following the standard protocol at the hospital, supplemented with either placebo or high-dose probiotics up to 4-6 ampoules/day. The results showed that Bacillus spore probiotics helped to shorten the treatment duration by approximately 1-3 days and enhanced treatment effectiveness by 1.3-2.4 folds compared to the control group in reducing the typical diarrhea symptoms, including bowel movements ≥3 times/day, presence of mucus, and diaper stool. Notably, LiveSpo DIA30 exhibited a better efficacy of 10-50% compared to LiveSpo CLAUSY. This is the world’s first clinical study demonstrating the effectiveness of high-dose Bacillus spore probiotics in supporting the treatment of diarrhea symptoms in children with persistent diarrhea.

Improving probiotic survival using water-in-oil-in-water (W1/O/W2) emulsions: Role of fish oil in inner phase and sodium alginate in outer phase.

Aqueous probiotic suspensions were dispersed in an oil phase consisting of fish oil and medium chain triglycerides to form W1/O emulsions. These emulsions were then homogenized with an aqueous solution containing soybean protein isolate and sodium alginate to form W1/O/W2 emulsions. Fish oil was used to promote the growth of the probiotics and increase their ability to adhere to the intestinal mucosa. Sodium alginate increased the viscosity, stability, and probiotic encapsulation efficiency of the double emulsions, which was mainly attributed to its interactions with adsorbed soy proteins. The encapsulation efficiency of the probiotics in the double emulsions was relatively high (>96%). In vitro simulated digestion experiments showed that the double emulsions significantly increased the number of viable probiotics remaining after passing through the entire gastrointestinal tract. This study suggests that encapsulation of probiotics in double emulsions may increase their viability under gastrointestinal conditions, thereby enhancing their efficacy in functional foods.

Impact of probiotic cell inclusion and metabolic activity on the rheological properties of low-methoxyl pectin solutions and gels

The rheological behavior of low-methoxyl (LM) pectin solutions and gels was characterized to evaluate the impact of the inclusion of probiotic cells (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and L. casei) and its metabolites. Considering that probiotic cells metabolize macro and/or micro-nutrients in growth media and/or can modulate pectin-Ca2+ interactions occupying the free volume in the gel, two scenarios were tested: 1) A 2% pectin in free-carbohydrate basal medium (P-MRS-B) (control sample) was mixed with probiotic cells (∼107 cells/mL) and incubated at 37 °C for 48 h (fermented samples); 2) A probiotic suspension in P-MRS-B was prepared as described above and used immediately to measure rheological properties (in situ samples).All gel-forming solutions presented Newtonian behavior and their corresponding gels showed an intermediate behavior between weak-gel and strong-gel. Mean viscosity (η) values ranged between 15.9 and 20.1 mPa s and no significant differences (p = 0.643) were observed between the samples. Mean elastic modulus at 1 rad/s (G′1) values ranged between 447 and 499 Pa, with no significant differences (p = 0.975) between the samples. These results suggest that: 1) The volume fraction of probiotics was so low that its presence did not have a significant effect on the viscosity and on the elastic modulus, and neither on the gelation mechanism of the LM-pectin; 2) Metabolic products of LM-pectin fermentation did not have a significant effect on the viscosity of the solutions, nor on the elastic modulus of the gels and their gelation mechanism.

Can acid produced from probiotic bacteria alter the surface roughness, microhardness, and elemental composition of enamel? An in vitro study

Probiotics are live microorganisms that upon administration in adequate amounts provide various health benefits to the host. Probiotics are “lactic acid-producing bacteria” as they release large amounts of organic acids, particularly lactic acids, in their surrounding environment. Although the acids produced by probiotics are beneficial for gastrointestinal and vaginal health, the acidogenic nature of probiotics has raised concerns among dental professionals, especially concerning their effect on the enamel and dentin. Previous studies have found that probiotics can lower the pH of the saliva and cause essential elements like Calcium and Phosphorus to leach from the enamel. This can alter the surface topography of enamel and increase the risk of enamel defects. Studies have also noted that probiotic bacteria can replace cariogenic bacteria and lower the risk of tooth decay. However, the effect of acid produced by probiotics on the enamel surface remains unclear. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the surface roughness, microhardness, and elemental composition of enamel compared to 0.1 M Lactic acid (demineralizing agent). Twenty enamel sections were randomly divided into groups and subjected to a pH cycling model using a probiotic suspension and 0.1 M lactic acid. The changes in the surface roughness, microhardness, surface morphology, and elemental composition of the enamel with regard to Carbon, Oxygen, Sodium, Hydrogen, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Fluoride, Chlorine, and Calcium of the enamel were evaluated before and after the emersion in both the groups. The results showed a significant increase in the mean surface roughness in the probiotic group before and after the exposure. The microhardness of the enamel decreased along with altered arrangement of the enamel prisms, increased striations, scratch marks, and pitting after exposure to the probiotic group. A decrease in the atomic/weight% for Calcium, Phosphorous, Fluoride, Aluminium, and Oxygen and an increase in the weight/atomic% for Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sodium were noted compared to the baseline in the probiotic solution. The results in the probiotic group were comparable to the 0.1 M lactic acids. The pH changed from 5.78 to 3.06 at the end of 24 h in the probiotic group. Based on these findings, we conclude that exposure to probiotics can affect microhardness and surface roughness and cause leaching of essential elements like Calcium and Phosphorous from the enamel.

Testing of the Efficacy of Bee Probiotic Lactobacilli Under In Vivo Conditions

Abstract American foulbrood is amongst the most dangerous diseases of the bee-family affecting many honeybee colonies worldwide. In countries of European Union, based on veterinary legislation, the bee colonies tested positive to American foulbrood are eradicated with high economic losses. It is therefore necessary to look for effective prevention, especially by the using of natural ingredients such as probiotics. In this study, we used lactobacilli isolated from digestive tracts of adult healthy honey bees and selected based on their good probiotic properties and ability to inhibit the growth of Paenibacillus larvae. These isolates were identified as Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Night cultures of both strains were used for the preparation of probiotic suspensions and pollen was selected as an appropriate carrier for application of probiotic lacto-bacilli to the hives. Half a litre of pollen suspension was prepared for each hive. The suspension for experimental hives contained probiotic lactobacilli in concentration of 107–108 CFU.ml−1. Bees in control hives received pollen suspension without addition of probiotic lacto-bacilli. The suspensions were supplied to bees three times, once a week. Before and during administration of probiotics, samples of honey bees from each hive were taken every week and numbers of lactobacilli, P. larvae, enterobacteria and coliform bacteria were determined in their digestive tracts. Four weeks after the first administration of probiotic-pollen solution the numbers of lactobacilli were increased approximately by 0.5 log. Before starting this experiment, P. larvae (approx. 107 CFU.ml−1) were detected in digestive tracts of honey bees. In the experimental group after 3 weeks and in the control group after 4 weeks, no viable counts of P. larvae were found. The numbers of enterobacteria, coliform bacteria and Bacillus sp. decreased in both groups. During the experiment the health and condition of the hives were monitored. In addition, also monitored were: the development of the bee colony, the number of dead bees, the amount of hive debris, the aggressiveness of the bees, and the amount of honey spun; later during the autumn treatment also the fall of Varroa jacobsoni was noted. In the experimental and control groups, we recorded a decrease in the amount of hive debris. Only in the experimental group was a slightly above-average development of the bee colony, slightly above-average honey yields and a 70 % lower drop of Varroa mites. Based on these results, we assumed that the probiotic-pollen solution had a positive influence on the composition of microbiota in bee digestive tracts and it can increase resistance to P. larvae. It also had a positive effect on the health and condition of the bee colony. Probiotic-free pollen solution showed similar but weaker effects.

Effects of a probiotic suspension Symprove™ on a rat early-stage Parkinson's disease model.

An increasing number of studies in recent years have focused on the role that the gut may play in Parkinson's Disease (PD) pathogenesis, suggesting that the maintenance of a healthy gut may lead to potential treatments of the disease. The health of microbiota has been shown to be directly associated with parameters that play a potential role in PD including gut barrier integrity, immunity, function, metabolism and the correct functioning of the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiota (GM) may therefore be employed as valuable indicators for early diagnosis of PD and potential targets for preventing or treating PD symptoms. Preserving the gut homeostasis using probiotics may therefore lead to a promising treatment strategy due to their known benefits in improving constipation, motor impairments, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of probiotics in PD are yet to be clarified. In this project, we have tested the efficacy of an oral probiotic suspension, Symprove™, on an established animal model of PD. Symprove™, unlike many commercially available probiotics, has been shown to be resistant to gastric acidity, improve symptoms in gastrointestinal diseases and improve gut integrity in an in vitro PD model. In this study, we used an early-stage PD rat model to determine the effect of Symprove™ on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation in the brain and on plasma cytokine levels, GM composition and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) release. Symprove™ was shown to significantly influence both the gut and brain of the PD model. It preserved the gut integrity in the PD model, reduced plasma inflammatory markers and changed microbiota composition. The treatment also prevented the reduction in SCFAs and striatal inflammation and prevented tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cell loss by 17% compared to that observed in animals treated with placebo. We conclude that Symprove™ treatment may have a positive influence on the symptomology of early-stage PD with obvious implications for the improvement of gut integrity and possibly delaying/preventing the onset of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in human PD patients.

Effects of metabiotic Bacillus subtilis for microbiocenosis formation in early-weaned piglets

This paper discusses the results of research related to cultivation of the probiotic microorganism B. subtilis on a grain-based nutrient medium of naked oat (Avena nuda) and studies the possibility of using metabolites as a liquid dietary supplement to correct microbiocenosis gastrointestinal tract disorders in early-weaned piglets. The weight fraction of proteinogenic amino acids in the experimental probiotic suspensions was determined by means of capillary electrophoresis. The metabolic activity of Bacillus subtilis DSM-32424 strain was studied on both sprouted as well as non-sprouted naked oat (Avena nuda) ‘Nemchinovsky’ variety grain-based nutrient medium. It was proved that the maximum microbial count reached 4.9×107 CFU/cm3 on the 6th day of cultivation on the medium based on sprouted naked oat. The use of dietary supplement based on Bacillus subtilis DSM-32424 strain in amount of at least 1×109 CFU/pig had a positive impact in terms of the formation of microbiocenosis in animals at the time of transferring piglets to plant diet.

Binding and removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cold smoked sausage and beef using probiotic strains

The aim of this study is to bio-monitor the levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cold smoked beef and sausages. The ability of probiotics to remove PAHs was also investigated as function of the cell viability (viable, non-viable and acid-treated cells), bacterial counts (107, 108, and 109 CFU/mL), pH (3, 5, and 7), and incubation time (6, 12, and 24 h). The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the analyzed sausages and beef samples for the PAHs concentration. Non-viable probiotics achieved the highest PAHs reduction rates. Limosilactobacillus fermentum EMCC 1346 presented the lowest binding activity value (i.e. 41.10–56.80 %) for all PAHs, followed by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus EMCC 1105 with binding percentage of 50.40–65.80 %. On the other hand, the highest removal for all PAHs was achieved by Lactobacillus bulgaricus EMCC 1102 with binding rate of 60.50–76.80 %, at 109 CFU/mL, pH 7, after incubation for 24 h. The fortified sausages results revealed that L. bulgaricus EMCC 1102 cultures exhibited the maximum and significant reduction (p < 0.05) of PAHs with values of 44.71 µg/kg for the center part, compared to control non treated sausages (82.65 µg/kg). Regarding the sensorial profile, treated samples with probiotics led to a preference from the panelists, compared to control. Consequently, the results confirm that fermented probiotic suspension is a feasible future strategy to control PAHs levels in cold smoked meat stuffs.

Biological aspects of cultivation and application of active metabolites of B. subtilis probiotic

Relevance. In modern research, the topic of metabiotics is considered as one of the current directions in the development of probiotics, in the future — as a new class of metabiotics. The article presents the results of studies during the cultivation of the probiotic microorganism B. subtilis in a grain nutrient medium from naked oats, and a scientific and practical substantiation of an experimental probiotic suspension during the formation of microbiocenosis and metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract in early weaning piglets.Methods. As the basis of nutrient media for obtaining metabolites of the probiotic culture of Bacillus subtilis, sprouted and non-sprouted oat grains of the naked variety Nemchinovsky were used at the rate of 100 g of crushed raw material per 3 l of water. The mass fraction of proteinogenic amino acids in experimental probiotic suspensions (EPS) was studied by capillary electrophoresis. The scientific and economic experiment was carried out according to the method of A.I. Ovsyanikov, 1976.Results. In nutrient media based on oats (O, OP), the number of CFU of probiotic microorganisms has a certain variability. The increase in the abundance of B. subtilis CFU continued up to 6 days, in the OP sample it reached 5.8·107 CFU/cm, after what it decreased until 8th day down to 15.5·106 CFU/cm3. At the same time, the synthesis of amino acids is higher compared to control (germinated grain): lysine — in the range of 7.85–10.53 g/l, methionine — 2.03–2.35 g/l, leucine + isoleucine — in the range 5.79– 9.7 g/l. Indicators of protein metabolism are within the physiological norm in piglets of experimental groups. In piglets that received an experimental probiotic suspension, a more pronounced antagonistic effect, during the formation of microbiocenosis, was manifested to conditionally pathogenic bacteriaif they were given B. subtilis, obtained on a medium based on sprouted oats.

The role of probiotic exopolysaccharides in adhesion to mucin in different gastrointestinal conditions

The presence of exopolysaccharides (EPS), a type of biomacromolecules, on the surface of probiotics play an important role in mucoadhesion, and it can be severely influenced by environments during gastrointestinal transit. In this study, the impact of gastrointestinal factors on surface properties of two probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Pediococcus pentosaceus LI05) was investigated. Probiotic suspensions had relatively high viscosities and exhibited pronounced shear-thinning behavior due to the presence of EPS. The ζ-potential of both probiotics was relatively low and was not believed to play an important role in mucoadhesion. Compared to the control, the adhesive forces tended to decrease in the presence of gastric acids but increase in the presence of bile salts, since bile salts led to a thicker more open EPS layer compared to gastric acids. Although the functional groups of EPS in both probiotics are similar according to the study by FT-IR spectroscopy, the molecular weight of purified EPS in LI05 was much higher, ranging from 10,112 Da to 477,763 Da, which may contribute to higher rupture length in LI05 group. These results suggest that probiotic-mucin interactions are governed by the compositions and changes in the EPS of the probiotics in different gastrointestinal conditions, which contribute to a better understanding of the mucoadhesive behavior of the probiotics in the GIT.

A novel probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LC38, isolated from Tunisian camel milk promoting wound healing in Wistar diabetic rats.

Antimicrobial and probiotic properties were sought in Tunisian raw camel milk. One hundred and forty strains were isolated for this purpose. Initially, a screening based on growth kinetics under gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions allowed us to select only one strain that showed good resistance to pH 3 and 5% bovine bile. This isolate named LC38 was assayed for its autoaggregation capacity, surface hydrophobicity, antibiotic sensitivity, haemolytic and antimicrobial activities. The findings revealed strain LC38 sensitivity to several antibiotics, no haemolytic activity and antimicrobial activities against six pathogenic bacteria with an inhibition diameter that varies between 28 and 43mm. Furthermore, this study revealed that this strain had good autoaggregation characteristics after 18h of incubation and a high surface hydrophobicity that enhanced its adhesion ability to epithelial cells and for biofilm formation. Strain LC38 was submitted to classical identification with API50CH and to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed that the strain could be allocated to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Analysis of the structural composition of strain LC38 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis showed that probiotic suspension contains organic acids (lactic acid, succinic acid and citric acids). The application of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LC38 on wound site in a diabetic rat model enhanced significantly wound healing activity and accelerated the wound closure after 14days of wound induction. Altogether, these results demonstrated that LC38 isolate from camel milk has a number of promising properties that make it a prominent candidate with strong wound healing potential presumably achieved through its antimicrobial activities.

Using Lactobacilli to Fight Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms on Urinary Tract Devices

The low efficacy of conventional treatments and the interest in finding natural-based approaches to counteract biofilm development on urinary tract devices have promoted the research on probiotics. This work evaluated the ability of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, in displacing pre-formed biofilms of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus from medical-grade silicone. Single-species biofilms of 24 h were placed in contact with each probiotic suspension for 6 h and 24 h, and the reductions in biofilm cell culturability and total biomass were monitored by counting colony-forming units and crystal violet assay, respectively. Both probiotics significantly reduced the culturability of E. coli and S. aureus biofilms, mainly after 24 h of exposure, with reduction percentages of 70% and 77% for L. plantarum and 76% and 63% for L. rhamnosus, respectively. Additionally, the amount of E. coli biofilm determined by CV staining was maintained approximately constant after 6 h of probiotic contact and significantly reduced up to 67% after 24 h. For S. aureus, only L. rhamnosus caused a significant effect on biofilm amount after 6 h of treatment. Hence, this study demonstrated the potential of lactobacilli to control the development of pre-established uropathogenic biofilms.

Influence of probiotic bacteria on gut microbiota composition and gut wall function in an in-vitro model in patients with Parkinson's disease

We report here the potential role of a 4-strain probiotic suspension for use with patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Stool samples from a group of three patients with diagnosed PD were used to create microbiotas in an in-vitro gut model. The effects of dosing with an oral probiotic suspension (Symprove) on bacterial composition and metabolic activity in the microbiotas was evaluated over 48 h and compared with healthy controls. Additionally, the effect of probiotic dosing on epithelial tight-junction integrity, production of inflammatory markers and wound healing were evaluated in cell culture models. In general, the relative proportions of the main bacterial phyla in the microbiotas of PD patients differed from those of healthy subjects, with levels of Firmicutes raised and levels of Bacteroidetes reduced. Dosing with probiotic resulted in a change in bacterial composition in the microbiotas over a 48 h period. Several other indicators of gut health changed upon dosing with the probiotic; production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactate was stimulated, levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) increased and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (MCP-1 and IL-8) decreased. Tight junction integrity was seen to improve with probiotic dosing and wound healing was seen to occur faster than a control. The data suggest that if development and/or progression of PD is influenced by gut microbiota dysbiosis then supplementation of the diet with a properly formulated probiotic may be a useful adjunct to standard treatment in clinic.

Immune Modulation Effects of Lactobacillus casei Variety rhamnosus on Enterocytes and Intestinal Stem Cells in a 5-FU-Induced Mucositis Mouse Model.

Background Intestinal mucositis remains one of the most deleterious side effects in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We hypothesize that the probiotics could preserve gut ecology, ameliorate inflammation, and protect epithelia via immune modulations of enterocytes and intestinal stem cells. Our aim is to characterize these changes and the safety of probiotics via a 5-fluorouracil- (5-FU-) induced intestinal mucositis mouse model. Methods 5-FU-injected BALB/c mice were either orally administrated with saline or probiotic suspension of Lactobacillus casei variety rhamnosus (Lcr35). Diarrhea scores, serum proinflammatory cytokines, and T-cell subtypes were assessed. Immunostaining analyses for the proliferation of intestinal stem cells CD44 and Ki67 were processed. Samples of blood and internal organs were investigated for bacterial translocation. Results Diarrhea was attenuated after oral Lcr35 administration. Serum proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased in the 5-FU group and were reversed by Lcr35. A tremendous rise of the CD3+/CD8+ count and a significant decrease of CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+ ratios were found in the 5-FU group and were both reversed by Lcr35. 5-FU significantly stimulated the expression of CD44 stem cells, and the expression was restored by Lcr35. 5-FU could increase the number of Ki67 proliferative cells. No bacterial translocation was found in this study. Conclusions Our results showed that 5-FU caused intestinal inflammation mainly via Th1 and Th17 responses. 5-FU could stimulate stem cells and proliferation cells in a mouse model. We demonstrate chemotherapy could decrease immune competence. Probiotics were shown to modulate the immune response. This is the first study to analyze the immune modulation effects and safety of Lactobacillus strain on enterocytes and intestinal stem cells in a mouse model.

Modern concept of probiotics and principles of development of new-generation symbiotic preparations

The purpose of this work is to review data on the biological effectiveness of probiotics, their mechanisms of action, and the prospects for the development of new-generation preparations. Scientific and practical justification of symbiotic drugs of a new generation – metabiotics as a continuation of the probiotic concept is given. The authors discuss the literature data and their own results, which allow them to propose new approaches to the creation of symbiotic drugs. The authors scientifically substantiate the main scientific provisions of the probiotic concept for the development of new-generation symbiotic drugs:study of aspects of the cultivation of the metabolic probioticB. bifidumstrain No. 1 in appropriate nutrient media;determination of the quantitative and qualitative composition of metabolites in the probiotic producer;scientific and practical substantiation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the experimental probiotic suspension as a biologically active additive;the effect of probiotic suspension on the metabolism, the formation of microbiocenosis and nonspecific immunity. The substantiation for the creation of new feed probiotic preparations in the form of a composition of living microorganisms with molasses-based metabolites is given, which has a certain scientific and practical significance, and is promising for use in animal diets. Studies have found that to stabilize normal microflora in suckling pigs and weanlings, it is advisable to use various drugs in the form of biologically active additives of probiotic agents and their metabolites. The article provides a scientific and practical justification of a dietary supplement for correcting the microbiocenosis of the gastrointestinal tract and some factors of cellular immunity in growing young pigs based on the probiotic microorganismB. bifidumwhen cultivated on a nutrient medium from molasses.

Milmed Treatment Alleviates Symptoms of Allergy and Improves General Health

The effects of the patented treated-yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a probiotic suspension which was shown earlier to present neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties, upon allergies presented by a group (n=8) of patients, that were compared with a matched group of patients administered untreated yeast cells (n=8). Treated yeast cells were subjected to millimeter-wave exposure as outlined in patented documents. The patients who administered themselves treated Milmed, over periods extending from four-to-thirteen weeks, completed subjective self-report ratings of their allergy symptoms that indicated marked ameliorative effects; additionally, they rated their general health situations to be markedly improved. Those patients who had taken the untreated yeast did not report these improvements. Correlational analyses between the number of weeks treated Milmed was taken by patients and (i) alleviation of allergy symptoms, and (ii) improvement in general health status, indicated significant relationships in each case. The significant correlations between symptom improvements and general health status, on one hand, and the number of weeks treated Milmed was ingested imply that complete treatments are required for the optimal therapeutic benefits. As observed previously, 8-to-13-week episodes of treated Milmed self-administration provides a lasting amelioration from allergy symptoms and an improved general health status.

Alginate- and Gelatin-Coated Apple Pieces as Carriers for Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140.

Fruit and vegetables are considered good natural supports for microorganisms; however, probiotics could cause negative changes on some organoleptic and sensory traits. Thus, the main topic of this paper was the design of coated apple chips as carriers for probiotics with a high level of sensory traits. The research was divided into two steps. First, four functional strains (Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 20016, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum c16 and c19) were immobilized on apple pieces through dipping of fruit chips in probiotic suspensions for different contact times (from 15 to 30 min) and stored at 4°C for 12 days. Periodically, the viable count was assessed. As a result of this step, a contact time of 15 min was chosen because it assured an optimal deposition of microorganisms. In the second step, apple pieces inoculated with B. animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140 were coated with alginate and gelatin and stored at 4 and 8°C for 10 days; pH, microbiological counts, color (browning index), and sensory scores were evaluated. Bifidobacterium animalis DSM 10140 exerted a negative effect on apple chips and cause a significant browning; however, the use of coating counteracted this phenomenon. In fact, coated chips showed higher sensory scores and lower browning index. In addition, gelatin showed better performances in terms of probiotic viability, because at 8°C, a significant viability loss of B. animalis DSM 10140 (1.2 log cfu/g) was found on alginate-coated chips. Gelatin-coated apple pieces with B. animalis subsp. lactis DSM 10140 could be an attractive functional food for a wide audience, although further investigations are required on in vivo effects of this product after consumption.

Microbiota composition and inflammatory immune responses upon peroral application of the commercial competitive exclusion product Aviguard® to microbiota-depleted wildtype mice.

Non-antibiotic feed additives including competitive exclusion products have been shown effective in reducing pathogen loads including multi-drug resistant strains from the vertebrate gut. In the present study we surveyed the intestinal bacterial colonization properties, potential macroscopic and microscopic inflammatory sequelae and immune responses upon peroral application of the commercial competitive exclusion product Aviguard® to wildtype mice in which the gut microbiota had been depleted by antibiotic pre-treatment. Until four weeks following Aviguard® challenge, bacterial strains abundant in the probiotic suspension stably established within the murine intestines. Aviguard® application did neither induce any clinical signs nor gross macroscopic intestinal inflammatory sequelae, which also held true when assessing apoptotic and proliferative cell responses in colonic epithelia until day 28 post-challenge. Whereas numbers of colonic innate immune cell subsets such as macrophages and monocytes remained unaffected, peroral Aviguard® application to microbiota depleted mice was accompanied by decreases in colonic mucosal counts of adaptive immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes. In conclusion, peroral Aviguard® application results i.) in effective intestinal colonization within microbiota depleted mice, ii.) neither in macroscopic nor in microscopic inflammatory sequelae and iii.) in lower colonic mucosal T and B cell responses.

Milmed Treatment Alleviated or Abolished Allergy

In view of the marked levels of discomfort, pain and/or poor health induced by allergic rhinitis and related conditions, especially during seasonal proclivities, the emerging availability of novel agents, and particularly probiotics, to (a) relieve, and (b) ameliorate those expressions offers much hope to sufferers whether afflicted by seasonal or regular, chronic allergies. The patented treated-yeast, Milmed, a probiotic suspension, previously shown to possess neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties, was found to provide marked ameliorative relief against a variety of allergic reactions and asthma expressed by a moderately-sized group of twenty-one participating-patients who had reported themselves to be chronic sufferers. Following a twelve-week course of Milmed treatment, an overwhelmingly large proportion (more than 95%) of the allergy-reporting patients indicated either "moderate" or "marked improvement" or were adjudged "symptom-free". Comparisons of the patients' allergy condition from before Milmed treatment to after indicated marked and significant improvements. Notably, in view of postal service vagaries that resulted in non-deliverance of Milmed, a significant correlation between post-treatment scores and missed weeks of Milmed was obtained (r = 0.526, p &lt; 0.014). The possibility that 10- to 12-week administrations of Milmed may offer more-or-less long-lasting relief from allergic reactions and the inclusion of Milmed among the health-enhancing list of probiotic interventions ought to be examined more closely.