BackgroundLactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial probiotic organisms that contribute to improved nutrition, microbial balance, and immuno-enhancement of the intestinal tract, as well as lower cholesterol. Although present in many foods, most trials have been in spreads or dairy products. Here we tested whether Bifidobacteria isolates could lower cholesterol, inhibit harmful enzyme activities, and control fecal water content.MethodsIn vitro culture experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of Bifidobacterium spp. isolated from healthy Koreans (20~30 years old) to reduce cholesterol-levels in MRS broth containing polyoxyethanylcholesterol sebacate. Animal experiments were performed to investigate the effects on lowering cholesterol, inhibiting harmful enzyme activities, and controlling fecal water content. For animal studies, 0.2 ml of the selected strain cultures (108~109 CFU/ml) were orally administered to SD rats (fed a high-cholesterol diet) every day for 2 weeks.ResultsB. longum SPM1207 reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly (p < 0.05), and slightly increased serum HDL. B. longum SPM1207 also increased fecal LAB levels and fecal water content, and reduced body weight and harmful intestinal enzyme activities.ConclusionDaily consumption of B. longum SPM1207 can help in managing mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia, with potential to improve human health by helping to prevent colon cancer and constipation.

Probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and prebiotics such as fiber are generally considered beneficial for health. These affect the microflora composition and fermentation metabolites and consequently contribute to local and systemic effects in humans. The beneficial effects of probiotics can be improved when combined with prebiotics. Here we investigated the effects of a mixed LAB supplement combined with dietary fiber on the population of LAB in the gut, as well as on serum cholesterol levels, fecal water content and microbial harmful enzyme activities. For animal studies, 0.2 mL of mixed LAB (Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and SAFELAC isolated from Pediococcus pentosaceus) supplement (10(7) ∼ 10(8) colony forming units per day) was orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats every day for 2 weeks along with a diet containing 5% or 10% cellulose. The mixed LAB supplement combined with dietary cellulose significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL levels. This combination also significantly (p < 0.05) increased the population of LAB and the fecal water content and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced microbial harmful enzyme (β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase and tryptophanase) activities. These effects of LAB were particularly improved by its combination with 5% cellulose compared to the control (a diet without cellulose), and the 5% cellulose combination was more effective than the 10% cellulose combination. In conclusion, the incorporation of a fibrous diet such as cellulose with lactic acid bacteria improved the population of LAB, and daily consumption of this combination could reduce the serum cholesterol levels and activities of harmful enzymes such as β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, tryptophanase, urease in rats.

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Health beneficial probiotics are fastidious microorganisms and sensitive to various environmental conditions, so that their survival rates could be affected by various factors such as diet, stress, senescence, and antibiotics. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of various spices (garlic, ginger, scallion, onion, Chungyang red pepper, and red pepper) which have antimicrobial properties and used frequently in Korean diet, and propolis on probiotics isolated from Koreans. As a result, most Korean probiotic strains were resistant to all spices tested and propolis, and the growth rates of some Korean probiotic strains (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophiles) were even increased by specific spices or propolis. But on the other hand, the growth rates of most of european probiotic strains were reduced by various spices or propolis, and the growth rates of a few european probiotic strains (L. helveticus, S. thermophiles) were greatly decreased in the presence of specific spices. Likewise, all commercial probiotic products including Korean probiotic strains were rarely affected by spices tested. However, european probiotic product tended to be greatly reduced by garlic, onion, scallion, and propolis. Therefore, these results indicate that probiotic strains isolated from Korean have the strong viability and resistance to various spices with antimicrobial properties, so that they might be appropriate for Korean intestine.