Benefits Of Probiotics Research Articles

Mining for Active Molecules in Probiotic Supernatant by Combining Non-Targeted Metabolomics and Immunoregulation Testing.

Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma are highly prevalent in industrialized countries. As cases are expected to rise, there is a growing demand for alternative therapies. Our recent research on the potential benefits of probiotics suggests that they could prevent and reduce the symptoms of many diseases by modulating the host immune system with secreted metabolites. This article presents the first steps of the research that led us to identify the immunoregulatory bioactivity of the amino acid d-Trp reported in our previous study. Here we analyzed the cell culture metabolic footprinting of 25 commercially available probiotic strains to associate metabolic pathway activity information with their respective immune modulatory activity observed in vitro. Crude probiotic supernatant samples were processed in three different ways prior to untargeted analysis in positive and negative ionization mode by direct infusion ESI-FT-ICR-MS: protein precipitation and solid phase extraction (SPE) using HLB and CN-E sorbent cartridges. The data obtained were submitted to multivariate statistical analyses to distinguish supernatant samples into the bioactive and non-bioactive group. Pathway analysis using discriminant molecular features showed an overrepresentation of the tryptophan metabolic pathway for the bioactive supernatant class, suggesting that molecules taking part in that pathway may be involved in the immunomodulatory activity observed in vitro. This work showcases the potential of metabolomics to drive product development and novel bioactive compound discovery out of complex biological samples in a top-down manner.

Relationship between probiotics and obesity: a review of recent research

The percentage of obese individuals continues to grow worldwide, and the main factor leading to obesity is the imbalance of energy intake and consumption. The intestinal flora has important regulatory roles in metabolic disorders and obesity. Compared with normal-weight individuals, those that are obese showed remarkable changes in the composition of the intestinal flora. Several studies have reported that probiotics can reverse high-fat diet-induced obesity. Thus, altering the intestinal flora may be an effective approach to control or even prevent obesity, and some probiotics have been demonstrated to have effects on obesity. The purpose of this review is to summarize the experimental means used to study probiotics and obesity and to summarize the weight-loss effects and mechanisms of action of experimental and clinical probiotics, so as to help investigators understand the latest benefits of weight-loss probiotics and to provide a reference for follow-up research in this field.

Effects of fermentation conditions on physicochemical properties and flavor quality of fermented bayberry juice

Abstract Probiotic fermented fruit juice could improve intestinal health with better sensory attributes. The effects of fermentation conditions on flavor quality of fermented bayberry juice were compared through microbial viability and sensory evaluation. Fermentation by combined Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) resulted in higher microbial viability and sensory evaluation scores. The fermentation conditions were optimized by orthogonal experimental design and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution analysis (ST and LA in a mass ratio of 3:1; 0.6% (mass concentration) inoculation; fermentation time, 48 h, at 37 °C; 10% (mass concentration) added sucrose). Fermentation under these conditions decreased the anthocyanin content of the juice, maintained the total phenolic content, and slightly decreased the antioxidant capacity. Fermentation reduced aroma volatiles from 42 in fresh juice to 33, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O), the aldehyde content decreased and the alcohol content increased. Lactic acid fermented bayberry juice by ST and LA produced a beverage with desirable consumer attributes, combining the health benefits of fresh juice and probiotics.

Dietary intake of probiotic fermented milk benefits the gut and reproductive health in mice fed with an obesogenic diet.

Probiotics have been suggested as alternatives to pharmacological drugs in the treatment of a variety of medical problems, including obesity management, which is often linked to low sperm production. Also, probiotic fermented products are known to boost host immune response, immunosenescence, infection tolerance, and redox homeostasis, but their direct role in male fertility has been less investigated. This study assessed the effect of two probiotic strains, L. fermentum NCDC 400 and L. rhamnosus NCDC 610, and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) fermented milk supplementation. We identified the significantly reduced oxidative stress markers in the plasma and liver of HF diet-fed animals. We determined the role of key testicular enzymes of steroidogenic pathway genes StAR, P450scc, and 17βHSD in maintaining the testosterone concentration and restoring testicular structures. In conclusion, the present work illustrated the ability of both probiotics L. fermentum NCDC 400 and L. rhamnosus NCDC 610 as regulatory agents with beneficial effects on weight loss and endogenous testosterone with substantially improved sperm motility in male diet-induced obesity (DIO) models. Our findings indicate that fermented milk supplementation may be an alternative treatment for preventing obesity and other related metabolic syndromes.

Evidence on the Benefits of Probiotics for Preterm Infants

This article reviews the evidence for the use of different strains of probiotics in the prevention of prevalent pathologies in premature infants. A systematic review was conducted of the use of probiotics in neonates with less than 37 weeks’ gestational age, based on a search for systematic reviews and observational and experimental studies performed during the period January 2014 to February 2021. For this purpose, the PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were consulted. The aim of this article was to review the existing data on the relationship between the administration of probiotics (with different strains and doses) and the risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), mortality, late sepsis and other disease parameters in premature infants. The literature search obtained 240 articles, of which we selected 16, representing a total sample of over 200,000 premature infants. Analysis of the data obtained reveals statistical evidence that the combined administration of probiotics (especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains) reduces the incidence of grade II or higher NEC, all-cause mortality, late sepsis, length of hospital stay and time until complete enteral nutrition is achieved. However, no benefits were apparent with respect to alleviating bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity or intraventricular haemorrhage. Further research is needed to determine the most appropriate strains, doses and treatment time for preterm infants to achieve the health benefits identified.

Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness of Probiotics Among the Dental Post-Graduate Students- A Questionnaire Study

Background: Probiotics are viable microorganisms, and when they are administered in an adequate amount, they provide health benefits to the host. The use of probiotics is said to be an important aspect in dentistry in the prevention and treatment of caries, periodontal disease, etc. Aims: The purpose of the present research was to access knowledge and awareness of probiotics among dental postgraduate students. Settings and Design: A total of 104 dental postgraduate respondents from Maharashtra state were surveyed regarding the knowledge of probiotics. The study includes first, second, and third-year dental postgraduate students. A well-structured and administered questionnaire including 15 questions was used to elicit the responses from the dental postgraduate students. Methods and Material: The online survey was distributed via email and social media platforms using snowball sampling and was open for a week. The questions were modeled based on those used in previously published studies on the knowledge of probiotics. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions. The survey took less than 15 minutes on average to complete. Statistical Analysis Used: Data entries were done in Microsoft Office Excel 2010, and analyses of results were done using Statistical product and service solution (SPSS) version 21 software. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentage/proportion were calculated. Pearson Chi-square test was used to find out the difference between responses of study subjects. Results: Of the 104 postgraduate students in total, 68.3% of respondents were females, and 31.7% were males. The study reveals 98% of participants are aware of the term probiotics and 94.1% of respondents correctly answered that constituents of probiotics are live microorganisms. More than half of the respondents (52%) had taken probiotics as a therapeutic drug for gastrointestinal purposes. 76.5% of respondents thought it helps in the improvement of oral health. Conclusions: In the present study, a good level of knowledge was observed among dental postgraduate students. Most of them were aware of the beneficial effects of probiotics on the human body in terms of food digestion and immunity. However, they still lack the other health benefits of probiotics. Also, there was little less knowledge and clarity about the term prebiotic.

Locked Nucleic Acid Hydrolysis Probes for the Specific Identification of Probiotic Strains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 15954 and Bi-07™.

Probiotic health benefits are now well-recognized to be strain specific. Probiotic strain characterization and identification is thus important in clinical research and in the probiotic industry. This is becoming especially important with reports of probiotic products failing to meet the declared strain content, potentially compromising their efficacy. Availability of reliable identification methods is essential for strain authentication during discovery, evaluation and commercialization of a probiotic strain. This study aims to develop identification methods for strains Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis DSM 15954 and Bi-07 (Bi-07™) based on real-time PCR, targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The SNPs were targeted by PCR assays with locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes, which is a novel application in probiotic identification. The assays were then validated following the guidelines for validating qualitative real-time PCR assays. Each assay was evaluated for specificity against 22 non-target strains including closely related Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strains and were found to achieve 100% true positive and 0% false positive rates. To determine reaction sensitivity and efficiency, three standard curves were established for each strain. Reaction efficiency values were 86, 91, and 90% (R square values > 0.99), and 87, 84, and 86% (R square values > 0.98) for B. animalis subsp. lactis DSM 15954 and Bi-07 assays, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) was 5.0 picograms and 0.5 picograms of DNA for DSM 15954 and Bi-07 assays, respectively. Each assay was evaluated for accuracy using five samples tested at three different DNA concentrations and both assays proved to be highly repeatable and reproducible. Standard deviation of Cq values between two replicates was always below 1.38 and below 1.68 for DSM 15954 and Bi-07 assays, respectively. The assays proved to be applicable to mono-strain and multi-strain samples as well as for samples in various matrices of foods or dietary supplement ingredients. Overall, the methods demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity, efficiency and precision and broad applicability to sample, matrix and machine types. These methods facilitate strain level identification of the highly monophyletic strains B. animalis subsp. lactis DSM 15954 and Bi-07 to ensure probiotic efficacy and provide a strategy to identify other closely related probiotics organisms.

Socialization and Education on The Benefits of Probiotics for Children's Health in Primary School Until Senior High School Students in Tanjung Morawa

Dysbiosis is a condition in which there is an imbalance in the number of microorganisms in the human digestive tract. This condition often occurs in children. An imbalance in the number of microorganisms in the digestive tract in humans (microflora) occurs when bacterial overgrowth. This can cause infection or inflammation localized in the intestine which has the potential to cause various diseases. However, knowledge about probiotics is still not understood by the public. This community service activity aims to provide knowledge about the role of probiotic microorganisms for children's health, especially for elementary-high school children in Tanjung Morawa District. This Community Service activity was carried out by means of a lecture method by disseminating the activity plan to the children of the Yayasan Pauly Mandiri, then a demonstration by conducting counseling and displaying animated videos related to the socialization that was carried out. Community service activities in general received a very good response and high enthusiasm from students, and several teachers who attended as well as the chairman of the Pauly Mandiri Education Foundation in Kec. Tanjung Morawa asked to continue. The results of community service, especially practicing drinking probiotic drinks. The enthusiasm of the participants hopes that this outreach activity can be resumed regarding the manufacture of food or drinks containing probiotics so that children can apply them daily, and consume them to increase body immunity in the midst of a pandemic.

Probiotics Have the Potential to Significantly Mitigate the Environmental Impact of Freshwater Fish Farms

Probiotics for freshwater fish farming can be administered as single or multiple mixtures. The expected benefits of probiotics include disease prophylaxis, improved growth, and feed conversion parameters, such as the feed conversion rate (FCR) and specific growth rate (SGR). In the current work, we review the impact of probiotics on freshwater finfish aquaculture. Data were gathered from articles published during the last decade that examined the effects of probiotics on fish growth, FCR, and water quality in freshwater fishponds/tanks. While the expected benefits of probiotics are significant, the reviewed data indicate a range in the level of effects, with an average reduction in ammonia of 50.7%, SGR increase of 17.1%, and FCR decrease of 10.7%. Despite the variability in the reported benefits, probiotics appear to offer a practical solution for sustainable freshwater aquaculture. Disease prophylaxis with probiotics can reduce the need for antibiotics and maintain gut health and feed conversion. Considering that fish feed and waste are two significant parameters of the aquaculture ecological footprint, it can be argued that probiotics can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture. In this direction, it would be beneficial if more researchers incorporated water quality parameters in future aquaculture research and protocols to minimize aquaculture’s environmental impact.

Influence of Probiotic Supplementation on Health Status of the Dogs: A Review

Most commonly, pet dogs suffer from gastrointestinal (GI) diseases due to careless eating behaviors, such as eating food other than dog food; excess or insufficient nutrient intake of food leading to malnutrition, which could be harmful to dogs; a lack of digestive enzymes; food intolerance or allergies; infections; and/or breed-related hypersensitivities. Probiotics are live microorganisms that deliver health benefits to the host when administrated in an adequate amount. The possible mechanism behind probiotics’ beneficial effects could be their positive regulation of the host’s intestinal microbiota. Probiotics are reported to have therapeutic properties against canine GI and other diseases. The most suitable dosages and applications of probiotics have not been evaluated extensively. The present review summarizes current knowledge regarding the benefits of probiotics and the changes in canine microbiota during probiotic interventions. This literature review provides clinical evidence for probiotics’ beneficial effects in preventing or treating canine ill-health conditions. Based on current knowledge, subsequent researchers could develop or improve probiotics-based canine pharmacological products.

Essential oil microemulsions inactivate antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Newport and spoilage bacterium Lactobacillus casei on Iceberg lettuce during 28-day storage at 4°C

The produce industry commonly uses chlorine to wash vegetables during post-harvest practices. However, chlorine has disadvantages because it is not sustainable to the environment, is not user-friendly, is corrosive to equipment, and loses efficacy in the presence of organic matter. Hence, alternatives to wash sanitizers are required to better meet the needs of the industry. Essential oil-based antimicrobial microemulsions in the wash water were evaluated for their efficacy against antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Newport and spoilage bacterium Lactobacillus casei on Iceberg lettuce. The microemulsions that were assessed included oregano oil, lemongrass oil, and cinnamon oil along with a plant-based emulsifier for improved solubility of the oil in water. Iceberg lettuce (10 g) was washed thoroughly and inoculated with Lactobacilli casei (6.0 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g) or Salmonella Newport (6.0 log CFU/g). The Iceberg leaves were separately treated with 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.5% of the microemulsions, 50 ppm chlorine, and 3% hydrogen peroxide, stored at 4 °C, observed, and analyzed for surviving populations of both bacteria on days 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. The efficacies of the antimicrobials were dependent on concentration and storage-time. The use of microemulsions resulted in a 2.3–4.37 log CFU/g reduction in the Salmonella population at various time points during days 0–28. They were also effective against Lactobacillus , resulting in 0.11–4.25 log CFU/g reduction during storage at days 0–28. The data on visual observation of treated leaves summarized in the tables and shown as figures indicated that the 0.1% oregano oil microemulsion had the best visual appeal in Iceberg leaves inoculated with S. Newport and the 0.5% lemongrass oil microemulsion showed improvement in reduced browning of the Iceberg leaves inoculated with Lactobacillus casei . This study demonstrates the potential of essential oil microemulsions to inactivate foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria on Iceberg lettuce, thus providing effective produce decontamination strategies. • This study provides an innovative way to apply plant antimicrobials to leafy greens. • Essential oil microemulsions inactivated resistant Salmonella on Iceberg lettuce. • Microemulsions inhibited spoilage Lactobacillus growth allowing probiotic benefits. • Treated lettuce leaves showed reduced browning discoloration than untreated controls. • Microemulsions can serve as natural sanitizers on stored fresh-cut Iceberg lettuce.

Effects of probiotic supplements on growth performance and intestinal microbiota of partridge shank broiler chicks.

BackgroundThe benefits of probiotics being used in animals are well-documented via evidenced growth performance improvement and positive modulations of gut microbiota (GM). Thus, a combination of effective microorganisms (EM) has been frequently used in animal production, including broilers. However, there are only very limited reports of EM on the growth performance and the modulation in GM of partridge shank broiler chicks.MethodsWe attempted to evaluate the effects of a basal diet with the addition of an EM mixture on the growth performance and gut microbiome of the chicks. A total of 100 ten-day-old female partridge shank broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups of 50 chicks each, of which, one group fed with EM supplementation in the basal diet (designated as EM-treated group), the other group just fed with a basal diet (referred as to non-EM treated group or control group). The body weight, daily feed intake, daily gain, feed conversion ratio and other growth parameters were observed and compared between EM-treated and non-EM-treated chicks, and the gut microbiota was profiled by 16S rRNA-based next generation sequencing (NGS).ResultsEM-treated chicks showed significantly increased performances in body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR). Histological observation indicated that dietary supplementation of EM significantly increased the villus heights (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD), while decreased the CD of jejunum, ilea, and ceca. The results of 16S rRNA-based gut microbiota analyses showed that Firmicutes accounted for the most of the relative abundance (63.24%∼92.63%), followed by Proteobacteria (0.62%∼23.94%), Bacteroidetes (0.80%∼7.85%), Actinobacteria (0.06%∼13.69%) and others in both EM-treated and non-EM-treated broiler chicks. The addition of EM could not alter the alpha diversity of gut microbiota. Compared with the non-EM-treated chicks, the abundances of bad bacteria in the phyla of Firmicutes, Euryarchaeota, and Ruminococcus were dramatically decreased in that of EM-treated chicks, while the abundances of good bacteria in the phyla of Actinobacteria and WPS-2 were significantly increased.ConclusionsThe supplementation of EM in feed could improve the growth performance and positively influence the morphological characteristics of the intestine, and ameliorate the community and structure of the intestinal microbiota of partridge shank broiler chicks.

Probiotics for Mental Health: A Review of Recent Clinical Trials.

The digestive system is involved in providing both regulatory and biochemical signaling to the nervous system via the gut-brain axis. Major brain neurotransmitters within the enteric nervous system include acetylcholine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are triggered by various stimuli within the digestive system, including the microbiota. Associations between the gut microbiome and activation of neuroreceptors and neurotransmitters are related to factors such as appetite control, mood, and memory. This column presents the results of a brief review of recently published clinical trials related to gut microbiome interventions (n = 11) that aimed to address a variety of mental health outcomes. The impacts of probiotics on mental health and other clinical outcomes vary by the health of study participants. Continuing research on the mental health benefits of probiotics in healthy individuals is necessary.

Assessment of public knowledge and perception about the use of probiotics

IntroductionIn Jordan, there is a remarkable lack of public awareness about probiotics and available guidance on their use. This study was designed to evaluate Jordanians’ awareness and perception about probiotics and their willingness to use these nutritional supplements as a part of their daily diet. MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Jordanian public. During the study period, participants were invited to fill out an electronic-based questionnaire. ResultsA total of 508 people agreed to participate in the study. Among them, 64.0% (n = 325) reported that they were willing to take probiotics. Only 17.1% of the surveyed participants (n = 90) knew that probiotics were not dead microorganisms. Only 55.0% of participants (n = 279) believed that probiotics were safe to consume. In addition, 75.0% (n = 381) believed that community pharmacists had a limited role in improving public knowledge about probiotics. Regression analysis showed that participants with higher income (>500 JD/month) and those who had medical degrees had greater knowledge about probiotics compared to others (P <0.001). ConclusionThis study demonstrated that there is inadequate knowledge about probiotics and their potential use. More effort is needed to provide more information about the benefits of probiotics. Greater knowledge could be achieved by encouraging medical doctors and pharmacists to inform the public about probiotics.

Development of probiotic gummy candy using the indigenous Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 strain; evaluation of its gastrointestinal resistance and shelflife prediction

Nowadays, functional food especially probiotic products have gained more interest, and gummy candy L. plantarum Dad-13 is an innovation. However, the efficacy of probiotics relies on their viable cells and resistance in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the gastrointestinal resistance and probiotic cells' shelf life and investigate gummy probiotics' characteristics. A market survey was carried to understand the consumer's knowledge on the health benefit of probiotics and their product, also intend to buy the product. Gastrointestinal simulation with pepsin and the pancreatic enzyme was conducted to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract's probiotic resistance, probiotic shelf life was evaluated with the Accelerated Shelf-life Test (ASLT). Proximate analysis was carried out according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), and physical characteristics were analysed before and after 90 days of storage at 4oC. The result showed that the supplementation of L. plantarum Dad-13 in the gummy probiotic had an excellent survival during gastrointestinal system simulation with the predicted shelf life was 75.17 days or 2.5 months at 4oC of storage. However, the moisture content of gummy probiotics was more than 20%. Considering the survival of L. plantarum Dad13 during gastrointestinal simulation, it can be concluded that gummy probiotics can be used as a carrier for L. plantarum Dad-13.

Milk Fermentation by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG and Streptococcus thermophilus SY-102: Proteolytic Profile and ACE-Inhibitory Activity

Health benefits of probiotics and production of inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) released during milk fermentation are well known. That is why in this investigation the proteolytic profile and ACE inhibitory capacity of peptide fractions from protein hydrolysis of milk during fermentation processes was analyzed. Milk fermentation was carried out inoculating 106 CFU of L. rhamnosus GG, S. thermophilus SY-102 and with both bacteria. The proteolytic profile was determined using: TNBS, SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC techniques. In vitro ACE inhibition capacity was measured. The pH of 4.5 was reached at 56 h when the milk was fermented with L. rhamnosus, at 12 h with S. thermophillus and at 41 h in the co-culture. Production of free amino groups corresponded with the profile of low molecular weight peptides observed by SDS-PAGE and SEC-HPLC. Co-culture fermentation showed both the highest concentration of low molecular weight peptides and the ACE inhibitory activity (&gt;80%). Results indicated that the combination of lactic cultures could be useful in manufacture of fermented milk with an added value that goes beyond basic nutrition, such as the production of ACE-inhibitory peptides.

Enumeration of Probiotic Strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) Using Viability Real-time PCR.

Probiotic health benefits are strain specific and are dose dependent. Hence, administering the correct strains, at the recommended doses is essential to achieve probiotic health benefits. Reliable methods are needed to facilitate probiotic strain identification and enumeration. Plate count methods are the most commonly used methods for probiotic enumeration. However, these methods are time-consuming, laborious, highly variable, and non-specific. Here, we developed a real-time PCR method for enumeration of a commonly used strain, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. The method utilizes PMAxx as a viability dye to enumerate viable cells only. Optimization of viability treatment showed that PMAxx at a final concentration of 50μM was effective in inactivating DNA from dead cells, and that bead beating for 5min at 3000rpm was effective in liberating DNA. The assay demonstrated high efficiency between 93 and 102%, with R2 values > 0.99. The assay showed high precision with relative standard deviation (RSD%) below 2.3%. Assay performance was compared to a plate count method in which there was a strong correlation between both methods (Pearson r = 0.8443). This method offers a 10 × shorter time for results and a higher precision compared to plate count methods. Furthermore, this method enables specific enumeration of L. rhamnosus GG in multi-strain products, which is not possible to achieve using plate count methods. This novel method facilitates faster and more accurate enumeration of L. rhamnosus GG as a raw ingredient as well as in finished products which enables better quality assurance and efficacy of probiotics for consumers.

Is the Gut Microbiome a Target for Adjuvant Treatment of COVID-19?

High expression of the transmembrane protein angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), more than 100-times higher as in the lung, and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in the gastrointestinal tract leads to infection with SARS-CoV-2. According to meta-analysis data, 9.8–20% of COVID-19 patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms, where diarrhoea is the most frequent, and about 50% shed viruses with high titre through their faeces, where a first faecal transmission was reported. Furthermore, gut inflammation, intestinal damage, and weakening of the gut mucosal integrity that leads to increased permeability has been shown in different studies for COVID-19 patients. This can lead to increased inflammation and bacteraemia. Low mucosal integrity combined with low intestinal damage is a good predictor for disease progression and submission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Several pilot studies have shown that the gut microbiome of COVID-19 patients is changed, microbial richness and diversity were lower, and opportunistic pathogens that can cause bacteraemia were enriched compared to a healthy control group. In a large proportion of these patients, dysbiosis was not resolved at discharge from the hospital and one study showed dysbiosis is still present after 3 months post COVID-19. Consequently, there might be a link between dysbiosis of the gut microbiome in COVID-19 patients and chronic COVID-19 syndrome (CCS). Various clinical trials are investigating the benefit of probiotics for acute COVID-19 patients, the majority of which have not reported results yet. However, two clinical trials have shown that a certain combination of probiotics is beneficial and safe for acute COVID-19 patients. Mortality was 11% for the probiotic treatment group, and 22% for the control group. Furthermore, for the probiotic group, symptoms cleared faster, and an 8-fold decreased risk of developing a respiratory failure was calculated. In conclusion, evidence is arising that inflammation, increased permeability, and microbiome dysbiosis in the gut occur in COVID-19 patients and thus provide new targets for adjuvant treatments of acute and chronic COVID-19. More research in this area is needed.

Study of the probiotic potential and evaluation of the survival rate of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum lyophilized as a function of cryoprotectant

The benefits of probiotics for the improvement of animal health status have been of great interest in recent years. For this reason, in this study was aimed at assessing a strain with probiotic potential to be added to the feed. Therefore, the objective of this trial is to use a strain with probiotic potential isolated from the intestinal microbiota of Helix aspersa Müller to subsequently add it to the feed of this species to improve its health status. So, the strain is characterized, and its probiotic potential is demonstrated. Finally, with the aim of preserving the probiotic strain by freeze-drying so that it can later be added to the feed, different cryoprotectants were studied that could give it a higher survival rate over time. The cryoprotectant that gives the best result with strain survival rate is trehalose 15%.

Nutraceuticals and Herbs in Reducing the Risk and Improving the Treatment of COVID-19 by Targeting SARS-CoV-2.

The worldwide transmission of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as a deadly or devastating disease is known to affect thousands of people every day, many of them dying all over the planet. The main reason for the massive effect of COVID-19 on society is its unpredictable spread, which does not allow for proper planning or management of this disease. Antibiotics, antivirals, and other prescription drugs, necessary and used in therapy, obviously have side effects (minor or significant) on the affected person, there are still not clear enough studies to elucidate their combined effect in this specific treatment, and existing protocols are sometimes unclear and uncertain. In contrast, it has been found that nutraceuticals, supplements, and various herbs can be effective in reducing the chances of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also in alleviating COVID-19 symptoms. However, not enough specific details are yet available, and precise scientific studies to validate the approved benefits of natural food additives, probiotics, herbs, and nutraceuticals will need to be standardized according to current regulations. These alternative treatments may not have a direct effect on the virus or reduce the risk of infection with it, but these products certainly stimulate the human immune system so that the body is better prepared to fight the disease. This paper aims at a specialized literary foray precisely in the field of these “cures” that can provide real revelations in the therapy of coronavirus infection