Maintaining "gut health" is a goal for scientists throughout the world. Therefore, microbiota management models for testing probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been developed. The SHIME(®) model was used to study the effect of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on the fermentation pattern of the colon microbiota. Initially, an inoculum prepared from human feces was introduced into the reactor vessels and stabilized over 2 weeks using a culture medium. This stabilization period was followed by a 2-week control period during which the microbiota was monitored. The microbiota was then subjected to a 4-week treatment period by adding 5 g/day-1 FOS to vessel one (the "stomach" compartment). Plate counts, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), and ammonium analyses were used to observe the influence of FOS treatment in simulated colon compartments. A significant increase (P<.01) in the Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. populations was observed during the treatment period. The DGGE obtained showed the overall microbial community was changed in the ascending colon compartment of the SHIME reactor. FOS induced increase of the SCFA concentration (P<.05) during the treatment period, mainly due to significant increased levels of acetic and butyric acids. However, ammonium concentrations increased during the same period (P<.01). This study indicates the usefulness of in vitro methods that simulate the colon region as part of research towards the improvement of human health.
BackgroundHow to maintain “gut health” is a goal for scientists throughout the world. Therefore, microbiota management models for testing probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been developed.MethodsThe SHIME® model was used to study the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus 1014 on the fermentation pattern of the colon microbiota. Initially, an inoculum prepared from human feces was introduced into the reactor vessels and stabilized over 2-wk using a culture medium. This stabilization period was followed by a 2-wk control period during which the microbiota was monitored. The microbiota was then subjected to a 4-wk treatment period by adding 5 mL of sterile peptone water with L. acidophilus CRL1014 at the concentration of 108 CFU/mL to vessel one (the stomach compartment). Plate counts, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and ammonium analyses were carried out for monitoring of the microbial community from the colon compartments.ResultsA significant increase (p < 0.01) in the Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. populations was observed during the treatment period. The DGGE obtained showed changes in the lactobacilli community from the colon compartments of the SHIME® reactor. The (SCFA) concentration increased (p < 0.01) during the treatment period, due mainly to significant increased levels of acetic, butyric, and propionic acids. However, ammonium concentrations decreased during the same period (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThis study showed the beneficial influence of L. acidophilus CRL 1014 on microbial metabolism and lactobacilli community composition for improving human health.
and a volumetric productivity (Q p ) of 0.24 g dm −3 h −1 were attained in the fermentation process for xylitol production from detoxified hydrolysate.
The survival of two probiotic strains -Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12 - incorporated into probiotic (PC) and into synbiotic (SC, with inulin + fructooligosaccharides, respectively, at 7.5 and at 2.5 g per 100 g) petit-suisse cheese was investigated in the beginning (day 1) and at the end (28 days) of storage at 4 °C when the food products were subjected to in vitro gastrointestinal simulated assays. Species-specific quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) combined with propidium monoazide (PMA-qPCR) was employed to quantify the strains. Initial La-5 and Bb-12 populations were always above 7 log CFU g(-1). The presence of the prebiotic ingredients in SC improved the Bb-12 and La-5 resistance after the 6 h assay, with higher populations in all the in vitro stages and throughout the storage period (p < 0.05), leading to equal or superior survival rates (SR) in SC of both probiotic strains, in the beginning as well as at the end of storage. The mean La-5 SR were 58% (PC) and 67% (SC), whereas the mean Bb-12 SR were 60% (PC) and 79% (SC). Our findings suggest that the addition of a prebiotic mixture in petit-suisse cheese was advantageous, since it improved both the Bb-12 and La-5 viability and tolerance under in vitro gastrointestinal simulated conditions, both in the fresh product and in the product refrigerated for 28 days.
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