This study aimed to examine the influence of prebiotics on growth and activity of Lactobacillus plantarum and their effect on adherence of anaerobic pathogens to Caco-2 and HT-29 intestinal cell lines. The specific growth rate of indigenous L. plantarum in lactulose (0.51/hr) was found to be maximum followed by fructooligosaccharide (0.34/hr) and inulin (0.18/hr) which was statistically at par with reference strain. Shortest mean doubling time of indigenous strain was observed with lactulose (1 hr 35 min) followed by fructooligosaccharide (2 hr 3 min), and inulin (3 hr 85 min). Lactic and short-chain fatty acids namely, acetic, propionic, and butyric were the principle metabolites observed after fermentation of prebiotics as detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography analysis. No significant change in growth and pH of anaerobic pathogens was observed in medium supplemented with different prebiotics. Presence of lactulose showed maximum inhibition in adherence of anaerobic pathogens namely, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (39 and 37%), Clostridium perfringens (36 and 34%), and Bacteroides fragilis (18 and16%), to Caco-2 and HT-29 intestinal cell lines.
Practical applicationsThe ability of certain bacteria to ferment prebiotics selectively is an important probiotic characteristic. According to the results of this study, lactulose was found to be the promising ingredient in combination with indigenous strain that not only supported the growth of lactobacillus strain, but also inhibited the adherence of anaerobic pathogens to intestinal cell lines. The metabolites produced on fermentation of prebiotic such as lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate have many reported health benefits in boosting the gut immunity of the host. Negligible growth of anaerobic pathogens in lactulose indicating its safe use without any ill effect to the host. Thus, the lactulose might have a potential for practical use in food industry for the development of future functional and dietary foods to impart health benefits at both colonic and systemic levels.