To examine the efficacy of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG21) as a probiotic for Helicobacter pylori in humans, 31 subjects infected with the bacterium ingested yogurt containing LG21 daily for an 8 week period. The [(13)C]urea breath test and assays of serum pepsinogens revealed a significant improvement following LG21 treatment. LG21 was thus determined to be effective in both suppressing H. pylori and reducing gastric mucosal inflammation.

The bifidobacterial and lactobacillus populations of fecal samples collected from 10 human subjects were studied. The numbers of bifidobacteria were similar in the fecal samples of all of the subjects, but lactobacillus numbers varied, even between samples collected from the same individual. Analysis of the composition of the bacterial populations by ribotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to differentiate between strains showed that, at least for the numerically predominant strains, each subject harbored a unique collection of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Predominant bifidobacterial and lactobacillus strains detected in the feces of each subject were used in immunological assays (lymphocyte transformation, serum antibody titers) to determine the influence of the bacteria on the immune system of their host. Immunoglobulin G antibodies reactive with lactobacilli were detected at high concentrations; antibodies reactive with bifidobacteria were present at lower concentrations. The antibodies appeared to be genus specific rather than strain specific. The results of the study emphasized the complexity of the relationship that exists between the intestinal microflora and the human host.

One of the traditional ways of preparation of yogurt starter in Bulgaria is placing a branch of a particular plant species into boiled sheep's milk maintained at about 45 degrees C, which is further incubated until a dense coagulum is obtained. To investigate the possible origin of the yogurt starter bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus), the traditional way of yogurt-starter preparation was followed. Hundreds of plant samples were collected from four regions in Bulgaria and incubated in sterile skim milk. The two target bacteria at low frequencies from the plant samples collected were successfully isolated. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of these bacterial isolates revealed that they were identified as L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. Twenty isolates of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus, respectively, were selected from the isolated strains and further characterized with regard to their performance in yogurt production. Organoleptic and physical properties of yogurt prepared using the isolated strains from plants were not significantly different from those prepared using commercial yogurt-starter strains. It was therefore suggested that L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus strains widely used for commercial yogurt production could have originated from plants in Bulgaria. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation and characterization of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus strains from plants.

No abstract

Aims:  To identify and characterize a new adhesin‐like protein of probiotics that show specific adhesion to human blood group A and B antigens. Methods and Results:  Using the BIACORE assay, the adhesion of cell surface components obtained from four lactobacilli strains that adhered to blood group A and B antigens was tested. Their components showed a significant adhesion to A and B antigens when compared to the bovine serum albumin (BSA) control. The 1 mol l−1 GHCl fraction extracted from Lactobacillus mucosae ME‐340 contained a 29‐kDa band (Lam29) using SDS–PAGE. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence and homology analysis showed that Lam29 was 90% similar to the substrate‐binding protein of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter from Lactobacillus fermentum IFO 3956. The complete nucleotide sequence (858 bp) of Lam29 was determined and encoded a protein of 285 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignments indicated this protein may be related to the cysteine‐binding transporter. Conclusions:  The adhesion of ME‐340 strain to blood group A and B antigens was mediated by Lam29 that is a putative component of ABC transporter as an adhesin‐like protein. Significance and Impact of the Study:  Lactobacillus mucosae ME‐340 expressing Lam29 may be useful for competitive exclusion of pathogens via blood group antigen receptors in the human gastrointestinal mucosa and in the development of new probiotic foods.