Streptococcus Thermophilus TH-4 Research Articles

Integrating fruit by-products and whey for the design of folate-bioenriched innovative fermented beverages safe for human consumption

Global concerns over folate deficiency, the risks of excessive synthetic folic acid consumption, and food loss implications for environmental sustainability and food security drive needs of innovative approaches that align food by-product valorisation with folate bio-enrichment. This study explored the use of three fruit by-products extracts (grape, passion fruit, and pitaya) and whey to develop a folate bio-enriched fermented whey-based beverage. Three strains (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG, Bifidobacterium infantis BB-02, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4) were tested for folate production in different fermentation conditions in modified MRS medium and in a whey-based matrix prepared with water extracts of these fruit by-products. B. infantis BB-02 and S. thermophilus TH-4, alone and in co-culture, were the best folate producers. The selection of cultivation conditions, including the presence of different substrates and pH, with grape by-product water extract demonstrating the most substantial effect on folate production among the tested extracts, was crucial for successfully producing a biofortified fermented whey-based beverage (FWBB). The resulting FWBB provided 40.7 μg of folate per 100 mL after 24 h of fermentation at 37 °C, effectively leveraging food by-products. Moreover, the beverage showed no cytotoxicity in mouse fibroblast cells tests. This study highlights the potential for valorising fruit by-products and whey for the design of novel bioenriched foods, promoting health benefits and contributing to reduced environmental impact from improper disposal.

DO PROBIOTICS HAVE A FUTURE IN NEONATOLOGY?

The issue of feasibility and effectiveness of probiotics use in newborns is still discussable. A position letter of the Committee on nutrition of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the Working group of the ESPGHAN on probiotics and prebiotics issues was published in May 2020 in “Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition” magazine as for the use of probiotics in premature newborns. It stated that over 10,000 premature newborns from all over the world had taken part in random controlled probiotics tests. It was proved that probiotics, in general, could decrease the level of necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis, and mortality. But the question of choice of microorganism strains, dosing, and duration of medication course remains open. On the other hand, an increasing number of commercial products containing probiotics of non optimal quality are available. In addition, a large number of departments in the world regularly suggest probiotic supplements as a treatment standard despite the absence of any solid evidence. According to the data of the latest meta-analysis, effectiveness in decreasing mortality and incidence was found in the minority of investigated strains or combinations. In the position letter authors wanted to give advice which specific strains can be potentially used and which cannot. Moreover, the emphasis was placed on issues of safety of probiotic supplements for premature newborns. Guarantee of quality of probiotic product is deliverance of probiotic strains by transfer genes of resistance to antibiotics and the possibility of regular identification of probiotic sepsis. There is a conditional recommendation (with a low credibility of evidence) to provide eitherLactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103, or combination of Bifidobacterium infantis Bb-02, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 for decreasing a risk of the necrotizing enterocolitis development subject to all issues of safety.

Brewer's Spent Grain Enhanced the Recovery of Potential Probiotic Strains in Fermented Milk After Exposure to In Vitro-Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is a beer industry by-product with interesting functional properties by its high fiber content and bioactive compounds, which may be possibly employed as a prebiotic ingredient. The fermentability of BSG by ten probiotics and two starter cultures was evaluated, and the co-culture of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F-19® (probiotic) and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4® (starter) was selected to produce a potentially probiotic fermented milk (FM). Four formulations of FM were studied: FM1 (control), FM2 (probiotic - /BSG +), FM3 (probiotic + /BSG -), and FM4 (probiotic + /BSG +). The viability of the microorganisms in the FM was monitored throughout 28days of storage. The resistance of the microorganisms in the FM to in vitro-simulated gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions was also evaluated. Even though the BSG did not influence the fermentation kinetics or increase the populations of both microorganisms in the FM, a significant improvement on the survival of TH-4® against in vitro-simulated GIT stress was observed in the formulations containing BSG alone or in combination with F-19®. All formulations showed potential as probiotic FM, since total probiotic populations were kept above 1010CFU in a daily portion of 200mL, and a minimum of 1010 and 108CFU equivalent of, respectively, TH-4® and F-19® was recovered after the GIT stress. Therefore, TH-4® has potential as a probiotic strain in addition to its starter feature, while BSG may be employed as a possible prebiotic ingredient in a synbiotic approach. Nonetheless, further studies to evaluate possible health benefits are needed.

Probiotics and Preterm Infants: A Position Paper by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Committee on Nutrition and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Working Group for Probiotics and Prebiotics.

More than 10,000 preterm infants have participated in randomised controlled trials on probiotics worldwide, suggesting that probiotics in general could reduce rates of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), sepsis, and mortality. Answers to relevant clinical questions as to which strain to use, at what dosage, and how long to supplement are, however, not available. On the other hand, an increasing number of commercial products containing probiotics are available from sometimes suboptimal quality. Also, a large number of units around the world are routinely offering probiotic supplementation as the standard of care despite lacking solid evidence. Our recent network meta-analysis identified probiotic strains with greatest efficacy regarding relevant clinical outcomes for preterm neonates. Efficacy in reducing mortality and morbidity was found for only a minority of the studied strains or combinations. In the present position paper, we aim to provide advice, which specific strains might potentially be used and which strains should not be used. In addition, we aim to address safety issues of probiotic supplementation to preterm infants, who have reduced immunological capacities and occasional indwelling catheters. For example, quality reassurance of the probiotic product is essential, probiotic strains should be devoid of transferable antibiotic resistance genes, and local microbiologists should be able to routinely detect probiotic sepsis. Provided all safety issues are met, there is currently a conditional recommendation (with low certainty of evidence) to provide either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC53103 or the combination of Bifidobacterium infantis Bb-02, Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 in order to reduce NEC rates.

Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: rational therapy

Introduction. Gastrointestinal dysfunctions remain one of the most frequent problems in young children (0 to 2 years). Among the main causes are immaturity of the enzymatic system, morphology and function of the gastrointestinal tract, regulatory mechanisms of the nervous system, immune response. The composition of intestinal microflora in children in the first years of life is unstable and can easily change under the influence of unfavorable factors: feeding disorders, infectious pathogens, congenital defects, incomplete immunity. Modern scientific literature and clinical guidelines most accurately reflect the results of studies on the positive role of probiotics, for example, in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and acute diarrhoea of various genesis. The research base is so large that in 2012 the World Gastroenterology Organization developed an international practical guide to the use of probiotics in clinical practice, recommending the use of probiotics that meet certain criteria. The review is devoted to evaluating the effectiveness and safety of treatment with probiotics containing Bifidobacterium lactis, BB-12 and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 in children aged 0 to 2 years. Data from meta-analyses of the Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Russian open clinical randomized, placebo-controlled studies on the use of probiotics containing Bifidobacterium lactis, BB-12, and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 in pediatric practice are presented. Study objective. A comparative description of the most popular commercial drugs used for the treatment and prevention of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children aged 0 to 2 years, containing at least one of these strains, is presented. Results . Evidence of the significance of probiotic therapy for various disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in children aged 0 to 2 years with complex drugs containing a combination of Bifidobacterium lactis, BB-12 and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 strains in children aged 0 to 2 years is presented. There is no reliable evidence of the effectiveness of multi-strain drug combinations in this age group. Conclusion . The combination of Bifidobacterium lactis, BB-12 and Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 is an effective and safe combination for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in children aged 0 to 2 years.

Impact of Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC) Byproduct and Probiotic Strains on Technological and Sensory Features of Fermented Soy Beverages.

Ten probiotic cultures were screened for the ability to hydrolyze soy proteins and bile salt deconjugation (BSD) to select one lactobacilli and one bifidobacteria strain to produce fermented soy beverages (FSBs) containing acerola byproduct (ABP). Next, the effect of the strains and the ABP on the technological and sensory characteristics of these beverages was evaluated during refrigerated storage for up to 28 days. None of the tested strains presented any proteolytic activity against soy proteins. Among the probiotic strains, the best BSD activities were observed for Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 and Bifidobacterium longum BB-46, which were further employed, individually or combined, to produce FSB supplemented or not with ABP, using Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 as a starter, and the effect of these strains and ABP on the technological and sensory acceptability of FSB was evaluated. The probiotic strains did not influence FBS texture parameters, but ABP increased firmness in the ready product. BB-46 increased acidity, therefore decreasing acceptance, whereas the presence of LA-5 and/or ABP increased acceptance, even though the appearance was negatively affected by ABP after 21 days of storage. Thus, the presence of LA-5 and ABP contributed for the sensory acceptance of the FSBs without affecting their technological features. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium longum BB-46, and/or acerola byproduct (ABP) were applied in the production of fermented soy beverages (FSBs). Principal components analysis was used to evaluate the formulations of the 23 factorial design and the sensory attributes and the effect of storage independently and covariance was the matrix type used for mapping purposes. LA-5 and ABP contributed for the sensory acceptance of FSB, without affecting their technological features, and could be used by food processing companies after scaling up, also reducing the environmental impact by decreasing discarding byproducts, which are sources of bioactive compounds.

Potential Using of Ulvan Polysaccharide from Ulva lactuca as a Prebiotic in Synbiotic Yogurt Production

Background and objective: There is growing interesting for edible marine algae species as a source for beneficial polysaccharides. Ulva lactuca is a widespread macroalga and highly consumed by humans and livestock because of its great nutritional values. Many studies showed that different extracts of U. lactuca possess nutritional and biological values. Ulvan is one of its structural water-soluble sulfated polysaccharides. The main objective of this study is preparing synbiotic yogurt by using ulvan polysaccharide by different percentage as a prebiotic ingredient and using probiotic starter bacteria in the manufacture of set synbiotic yogurt. Then study the quality properties of the resultant synbiotic yogurt. Methodology: ulvan polysaccharide was extracted from Ulva lactuca using the methods of hot water-extraction and ethanol-precipitation. The synbiotic yogurt was prepared from fresh skim milk and ulvan polysaccharide as prebiotics, which was added by different concentrations: 1%, 2% and 4% (w/v). The mixtures were heated to 90°C for 10 min and immediately cooled to 39°-40°C; and inoculated with 3% of probiotic starter culture (containing of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4, and Bifidobacterium sp. Bb-12). The inoculated milks were distributed into 100 mL plastic cups and incubated at 40°C till complete coagulation. The synbiotic yogurt were transferred to the refrigerator at 7° ± 1°C and storage for 9 days; then the treatments were analyzed for the bacteriological, physical, chemical, and organoleptic assessments at fresh time and after 9 days of cold storage. Results: The results showed that adding of 1-2% of the ulvan polysaccharide presented synbiotic yogurt with good chemical and physical properties, as well as stimulated the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria. But the addition of high percentage (4%) gave opposite results in terms of flavor, delayed fermentation and weak texture with syneresis also. Conclusion: Therefore, it is recommended to use ulvan polysaccharide as prebiotic in the manufacture of synbiotic yogurt by adding 1-2%; and the flavor can be improved by adding any natural flavor to the synbiotic yogurt.

Influence of passion fruit by-product and fructooligosaccharides on the viability of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG in folate bio-enriched fermented soy products and their effect on probiotic survival and folate bio-accessibility under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of passion fruit by-product (PFBP) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the viability of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG in folate bio-enriched fermented soy products and their effect on probiotic survival and folate bio-accessibility under in vitro simulated gastrointestinal conditions during storage of the products at 4 °C for up to 28 days (at days 1, 14, and 28). Kinetic parameters and folate contents before and after fermentation were also evaluated. Four different bio-enriched soy products in which the two microorganisms were used in co-cultures were studied and PFBP and/or FOS were added at 1 g/100 g, except for the control product. No differences (p < 0.05) between the fermented soy products (FSP) were observed for the maximum acidification rate (Vmax) and the time to reach the Vmax (Tmax) or pH 5.5 (Tf), indicating that the use of PFBP and/or FOS did not affect the fermentation kinetic parameters. Only Lb. rhamnosus LGG retained the desired viability (>8 log CFU/mL) during storage, whereas St. thermophilus TH-4 populations decreased by day 14 reaching counts between 6.4 and 5.5 log CFU/mL by day 28. The folate content of all FSP increased after fermentation and the simultaneous presence of PFBP and FOS stimulated the co-culture to increase folate production. Folate content in all FSP decreased during storage. Lb. rhamnosus LGG was recovered at the end of the simulated digestion, but PFBP and/or FOS did not affect recovery. The folate content increased during the gastrointestinal assay for all FSP, especially for FSP without supplementation, suggesting an in vitro increase of folate bio-accessibility. Therefore, the bio-enriched probiotic FSP presented a great potential as an innovative functional food by delivering probiotic microorganisms and providing 14% of the recommended daily folate intake. The folate content of the FSP might be increased during gastrointestinal stress conditions, which could contribute to increase the folate bio-accessibility in the gut.

Tropical fruit by-products water extracts as sources of soluble fibres and phenolic compounds with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and functional properties

Fibre content, phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated for water extracts of fruit by-products (passion fruit, orange, acerola, and mango). The impact of these extracts on microbial growth, folate production, and adhesion ability of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG was investigated. Mango water extract (MWE) presented the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Orange water extract (OWE) and MWE showed the best anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing the highest nitric oxide levels. When TH-4 and LGG were grown together, folate production was only stimulated by MWE. Passion fruit water extract and OWE increased the TH-4 adhesion whereas acerola water extracts and MWE improved LGG adhesion when strains were used individually. These results showed that fruit by-product water extracts (FWE), especially from mango, presented potential beneficial biological and functional properties. These FWE could be used to develop new functional antioxidant foods and natural pharmaceutical ingredients.

Gut microbiota of preterm infants supplemented with probiotics: sub-study of the ProPrems trial

BackgroundThe ProPrems trial, a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial, previously reported a 54% reduction in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) of Bell stage 2 or more from 4.4 to 2.0% in 1099 infants born before 32 completed weeks’ gestation and weighing < 1500 g, receiving probiotic supplementation (with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BB-02, Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12). This sub-study investigated the effect of probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota in a cohort of very preterm infants in ProPrems.ResultsBifidobacterium was found in higher abundance in infants who received the probiotics (AOR 17.22; 95% CI, 3.49–84.99, p < 0.001) as compared to the placebo group, and Enterococcus was reduced in infants receiving the probiotic during the supplementation period (AOR 0.27; 95% CI, 0.09–0.82, p = 0.02).ConclusionProbiotic supplementation with BB-02, TH-4 and BB-12 from soon after birth increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiota of very preterm infants. Increased abundance of Bifidobacterium soon after birth may be associated with reducing the risk of NEC in very preterm infants.

Effects of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced mucositis

Background.Mucositis is a debilitating intestinal side effect of chemotherapeutic regimens. Probiotics have been considered a possible preventative treatment for mucositis. Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 (TH-4), a newly identified probiotic, has been shown to partially alleviate mucositis induced by administration of the antimetabolite chemotherapy drug, methotrexate in rats; likely mediated through a mechanism of folate production. However, its effects against other classes of chemotherapy drug have yet to be determined. Aims.The authors investigated the effects of TH-4 in a rat model of mucositis induced by the anthracycline chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin. Methods. Gastrointestinal damage was induced in female Dark Agouti rats (148.3 ± 1.5 g) by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (20 mg/kg). Animals recieved a daily oral gavage of TH-4 at 109 cfu/ml or skim milk (vehicle) from days 0 to 8. At day 6, rats were injected with either saline or doxorubicin. At kill, small intestinal tissues were collected for determination of sucrase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and histological assessment. Results. Body weight was significantly decreased by doxorubicin compared with normal controls (p < 0.05). Histological parameters, such as crypt depth and villus height, were also significantly decreased by doxorubicin. TH-4 partially prevented the loss of body weight induced by doxorubicin (2.3% compared with 4%), but provided no further therapeutic benefit. Conclusions.The minimal amelioration of doxorubicin-induced mucositis by TH-4 further supports folate production as a likely mechanism of TH-4 action against methotrexate-induced mucositis. Further studies into TH-4 are required to confirm its applicability to other conventional chemotherapy regimens.

Изучение эффективности пробиотика, содержащего B. lactis Bb12 и Streptococcus thermophilus Th4, в питании детей дошкольного возраста

Изучение эффективности пробиотика, содержащего B. lactis Bb12 и Streptococcus thermophilus Th4, в питании детей дошкольного возраста

Effects of Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 on intestinal mucositis induced by the chemotherapeutic agent, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

Beneficial bacteria (probiotics) and probiotic-derived factors have the potential to ameliorate disorders of the intestine. The aim of this study was to compare live Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 (TH-4), dead TH-4 and TH-4 supernatant in rats treated with 5-Fluorouracil. Rats were randomly allocated to five treatment groups (n=8-10): Saline+Water; 5-FU+Skim Milk; 5-FU+Live TH-4; 5-FU+Supernatant TH-4; and 5-FU+Dead TH-4. 5-FU (150mg.kg-1) was administered by a single intraperitoneal injection on day 0; animals were killed on day 4. Treatments were administered daily from days -2 to 3 via oro-gastric gavage. Metabolic parameters were measured daily. Blood was obtained by cardiac puncture, and intestinal tissues removed for quantitative and qualitative histological assessment, including: villous height and area; crypt depth and area, mitotic count and crypt fission; biochemical determination of sucrase and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity; and disease severity scoring. One-way ANOVA statistical analyses were conducted for the majority of outcome measures. Live TH-4 significantly reduced disease severity score by 13% (p

Behavior of the rheological parameters of exopolysaccharides synthesized by three lactic acid bacteria

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp delbrueckii ( L. delbrueckii), Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697 ( B. infantis) and Streptococcus thermophilus Th4 ( S. thermophilus) were produced and isolated form whey fermentations. A central composition rotatable design was employed to study the effects of EPS concentration, pH and ionic strength on the parameters in the Power Law. EPS and NaCl concentrations of 10.25 g/L and 0.08 M, respectively, and pH 5 were considered at the central point. Quadratic models for explaining the observed responses were determined using the surface response methodology. The three EPS presented a shear – thinning behavior. At the highest EPS concentration (20 g/L) consistencies of solutions of EPS from B. infantis, L. delbrueckii and S. thermophilus were 9.518, 17.706 and 13.136 mPa s, respectively. Contour plots, generated from the fitted models, were used to define the pH–ionic strength regions for higher consistencies and lower flow behavior index. Results suggested that EPS synthesized by B. infantis and S. thermophilus are polyelectrolytes while those produced by L. delbrueckii are neutral polysaccharides.

Lactobacillus fermentum BR11, a potential new probiotic, alleviates symptoms of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in rats

Current treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are relatively ineffective. Recently, probiotics have emerged as a potential treatment modality for numerous gastrointestinal disorders, including IBD. Few probiotics, however, have undergone appropriate preclinical screening in vivo. The current study compared the effects of four candidate probiotics on development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were gavaged 1 mL of the potential probiotic (1 × 10 10 CFU/mL), or vehicle, twice daily for 14 days. Strains tested were Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Streptococcus thermophilus TH-4 (TH-4), Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 (Bb12) and Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 (BR11). Colitis was induced from day 7 to 14 via administration of 2% DSS in drinking water. Disease activity index (DAI) was monitored daily until rats were killed at day 14. DAI decreased in DSS + Bb12 and DSS + BR11 compared to DSS + Vehicle. Colon length increased in DSS + BR11 (10%) and DSS + LGG (10%) compared to DSS + Vehicle. DSS + Bb12 and DSS + BR11 prevented the distal colon crypt hyperplasia evident in DSS + Vehicle, DSS + LGG and DSS + TH-4. BR11 was most effective at reducing colitic symptoms. Bb12 had minimal effects, whilst TH-4 did not prevent DSS-colitis and LGG actually exacerbated some indicators of colitis. Further studies into the potential benefits of L. fermentum BR11 are indicated.