Search Results (6,046)

Obesity is a major global health concern. Studies suggest that the gut microflora may play a role in protecting against obesity. Probiotics, including lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium, have garnered attention for their potential in obesity prevention. However, the effects of Bifidobacterium-fermented products on obesity have not been thoroughly elucidated. Bifidobacterium, which exists in the gut of animals, is known to enhance lipid metabolism. During fermentation, it produces acetic acid, which has been reported to improve glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, and exhibit anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. Functional foods have been very popular around the world, and fermented milk is a good candidate for enrichment with probiotics. In this study, we aim to evaluate the beneficial effects of milks fermented with Bifidobacterium strains on energy metabolism and obesity prevention. Three Bifidobacterium strains (Bif-15, Bif-30, and Bif-39), isolated from newborn human feces, were assessed for their acetic acid production and viability in milk. These strains were used to ferment milk. Otsuka–Long–Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats administered Bif-15-fermented milk showed significantly lower weight gain compared to those in the water group. The phosphorylation of AMPK was increased and the expression of lipogenic genes was suppressed in the liver of rats given Bif-15-fermented milk. Additionally, gene expression related to respiratory metabolism was significantly increased in the soleus muscle of rats given Bif-15-fermented milk. These findings suggest that milk fermented with the Bifidobacterium strain Bif-15 can improve lipid metabolism and suppress obesity. Full article

GoodBiome™ Foods are functional foods containing a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis HU58™) and prebiotics (mainly inulin). Their effects on the human gut microbiota were assessed using ex vivo SIFR^® technology, which has been validated to provide clinically predictive insights. GoodBiome™ Foods (BBM/LCM/OSM) were subjected to oral, gastric, and small intestinal digestion/absorption, after which their impact on the gut microbiome of four adults was assessed (n = 3). All GoodBiome™ Foods boosted health-related SCFA acetate (+13.1/14.1/13.8 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM), propionate (particularly OSM; +7.4/7.5/8.9 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM) and butyrate (particularly BBM; +2.6/2.1/1.4 mM for BBM/LCM/OSM). This is related to the increase in Bifidobacterium species (B. catenulatum, B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum), Coprococcus catus and Bacteroidetes members (Bacteroides caccae, Phocaeicola dorei, P. massiliensis), likely mediated via inulin. Further, the potent propionogenic potential of OSM related to increased Bacteroidetes members known to ferment oats (s key ingredient of OSM), while the butyrogenic potential of BBM related to a specific increase in Anaerobutyricum hallii, a butyrate producer specialized in the fermentation of erythritol (key ingredient of BBM). In addition, OSM/BBM suppressed the pathogen Clostridioides difficile, potentially due to inclusion of HU58™ in GoodBiome™ Foods. Finally, all products enhanced a spectrum of metabolites well beyond SCFA, including vitamins (B3/B6), essential amino acids, and health-related metabolites such as indole-3-propionic acid. Overall, the addition of specific ingredients to complex foods was shown to specifically modulate the gut microbiome, potentially contributing to health benefits. Noticeably, our findings contradict a recent in vitro study, underscoring the critical role of employing a physiologically relevant digestion/absorption procedure for a more accurate evaluation of the microbiome-modulating potential of complex foods. Full article

Kefir is a naturally fermented milk drink with rich probiotic content. This study aimed to develop and optimize homemade cow milk kefir (HCMK) and evaluate its microbial, chemical, nutritional, and antioxidant properties. HCMK was optimized using response surface methodology, where the independent variables were kefir grain inoculum (2–4%) and fermentation time (20 h–28 h), and the dependent variables were total bacterial count, pH, and overall acceptability. HCMK was prepared using 3% w/v Indian kefir grains inoculated into cow milk and fermented at 25 °C for 24 h. Optimized dependent variables were 2.08 × 10⁸ ± 0.34 CFU/mL, pH 4.52 ± 0.05, and overall acceptability of 6.55 ± 0.21. Nutritional analysis revealed protein 3.6 g/100 mL, carbohydrates 2.66 g/100mL, fat 3.4 g/100 mL, iron 2.99 mg/100 mL, and calcium 29.3 mg/100 mL. Antioxidant profiling elucidated 54% radical scavenging activity and 18 mgGAE/100 mL total phenolic content. GC-MS revealed the presence of bioactive compounds with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. This study highlights HCMK as a healthy probiotic functional food with significant antioxidant potential. Full article

Shrimp is one of the most important aquaculture industries. Therefore, we determined the effect of nitrifying-probiotic bacteria on water quality, growth, survival, immune response, and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured without water exchange. In vitro, only Bacillus licheniformis used total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), nitrites, and nitrates since nitrogen bubbles were produced. TAN decreased significantly in the treatments with B. licheniformis and Pediococcus pentosaceus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, but no differences were observed in nitrites. Nitrates were significantly higher in the treatments with bacteria. The final weight was higher only with bacilli and bacilli and LAB treatments. The survival of shrimp in the bacterial treatments increased significantly, and superoxide anion increased significantly only in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) treatment. The activity of phenoloxidase decreased significantly in the treatments with bacteria compared to the control. Shrimp treated with bacilli in the water showed lower species richness. The gut bacterial community after treatments was significantly different from that of the control. Linoleic acid metabolism was positively correlated with final weight and superoxide anion, whereas quorum sensing was correlated with survival. Thus, bacilli and LAB in the water of hyperintensive culture systems act as heterotrophic nitrifers, modulate the intestinal microbiota and immune response, and improve the growth and survival of shrimp. This is the first report on P. pentosaceus and L. mesenteroides identified as nitrifying bacteria. Full article

Understanding drug release in the colon is fundamental to developing efficient treatments for colon-related diseases, while unraveling the relationship between the colonic microbiota and excipients is crucial to unveiling the effect of biomaterials on the release of drugs. In this contribution, the bio-release of ibuprofen (encapsulated in acetylated and palmitoylated agave fructans) was evaluated by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria in simulated physicochemical (pH and temperature) colon conditions. It was observed that the size of the acyl chain (1 in acetyl and 15 in palmitoyl) was critical both in the growth of the microorganisms and in the release of the drug. For example, both the bacterial growth and the release of ibuprofen were more favored with acetylated fructan microspheres. Among the microorganisms evaluated, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Lactobacillus brevis showed great potential as probiotics useful to release drugs from modified fructans. The production of short-chain fatty acids (lactic, acetic, and propionic acids) in the course of fermentations was also determined, since such molecules have a positive effect both on colon-related diseases and on the regulation of the intestinal microbiota. It was found that a higher concentration of acetate is related to a lower growth of bacteria and less release of ibuprofen. Full article

Glucose, a primary energy source derived from animals’ feed ration, is crucial for their growth, production performance, and health. However, challenges such as metabolic stress, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota disruption during animal production practices can potentially impair animal glucose metabolism pathways. Phytochemicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and trace minerals are known to change the molecular pathway of insulin-dependent glucose metabolism and improve glucose uptake in rodent and cell models. These compounds, commonly used as animal feed additives, have been well studied for their ability to promote various aspects of growth and health. However, their specific effects on glucose uptake modulation have not been thoroughly explored. This article focuses on glucose metabolism is on discovering alternative non-pharmacological treatments for diabetes in humans, which could have significant implications for developing feed additives that enhance animal performance by promoting insulin-dependent glucose metabolism. This article also aims to provide information about natural materials that impact glucose uptake and to explore their potential use as non-antibiotic feed additives to promote animal health and production. Further exploration of this topic and the materials involved could provide a basis for new product development and innovation in animal nutrition. Full article

With rising global obesity rates, the demand for effective dietary strategies for obesity management has intensified. This study evaluated the potential of kimchi with various probiotics and bioactive compounds as a dietary intervention for high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in rats. Through a comprehensive analysis incorporating global and targeted metabolomics, gut microbiota profiling, and biochemical markers, we investigated the effects of the 12-week kimchi intake on HFD-induced obesity. Kimchi intake modestly mitigated HFD-induced weight gain and remarkably altered gut microbiota composition, steroid hormones, bile acids, and metabolic profiles, but did not reduce adipose tissue accumulation. It also caused significant shifts in metabolomic pathways, including steroid hormone metabolism, and we found substantial interactions between dietary interventions and gut microbiota composition. Although more research is required to fully understand the anti-obesity effects of kimchi, our findings support the beneficial role of kimchi in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders. Full article

The microbiological and biochemical properties of a goat cheese produced using Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed extract as a coagulant and the potentially probiotic autochthonous culture Limosilactobacillus mucosae CNPC007 were examined in comparison to a control cheese devoid of the autochthonous culture. Throughout a 60-day storage period at 6 ± 1 °C, lactobacilli maintained a count of above 8 log CFU/g. Additionally, its viability in cheeses subjected to the in vitro gastrointestinal conditions demonstrated improvement over this period. Specifically, the recovery of lactobacilli above 6 log CFU/g was observed in 16.66% of the samples in the first day, increasing to 66.66% at both 30 and 60 days. While total coliforms were detected in both cheese trials, this sanitary parameter exhibited a decline in L. mucosae cheeses during storage, falling below the method threshold (<3 MPN/g) at 60 days. This observation suggests a potential biopreservative effect exerted by this microorganism, likely attributed to the higher acidity of L. mucosae cheeses at that point (1.80 g/100 g), which was twice that of the control trial (0.97 g/100 g). Furthermore, distinct relative proportions of >30 kDa, 30–20 kDa, and <20 kDa proteins during storage was verified for L. mucosae and control cheeses. Consequently, either the H. annuus seed extract or the L. mucosae CNPC007 autochthonous culture influenced the biochemical properties of the cheese, particularly in terms of proteolysis. Moreover, L. mucosae CNPC007 acidification property resulted in a biopreservative effect throughout the storage period, indicating the potential as a promising source of probiotics for this product. Full article

Probiotics in aquaculture hold promise for enhancing fish health and growth. Due to their increased specificity and affinity for their host, indigenous probiotics may offer isolated and potentially amplified benefits. This study investigated the effects of Lactococcus lactis PH3-05, previously isolated from adults of tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus), on the growth, survival, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphology, expression of barrier and immune genes, and intestinal microbiota composition in the larvae of tropical gar. Larvae were fed with live L. lactis PH3-05 concentrations of 10⁴, 10⁶, and 10⁸ CFU/g for 15 days alongside a control diet without probiotics. Higher concentrations of L. lactis PH3-05 (10⁶ and 10⁸ CFU/g) positively influenced larval growth, increasing hepatocyte area and enterocyte height. The 10⁶ CFU/g dose significantly enhanced survival (46%) and digestive enzyme activity. Notably, the 10⁸ CFU/g dose stimulated increased expression of muc-2 and il-10 genes, suggesting enhanced mucosal barrier function and anti-inflammatory response. Although L. lactis PH3-05 did not significantly change the diversity, structure, or Phylum level composition of intestinal microbiota, which was constituted by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes, an increase in Lactobacillus abundance was observed in fish fed with 10⁶ CFU/g, suggesting enhanced probiotic colonization. These results demonstrate that administering L. lactis PH3-05 at 10⁶ CFU/g promotes growth, survival, and digestive health in A. tropicus larvae, establishing it as a promising indigenous probiotic candidate for aquaculture applications. Full article

Background: Since the consensus of ISAPP on the definition of the term “postbiotic” there has been an enthusiasm for publications in review form—their number being disproportionate to the primary research. The aim of this bibliometry is to analyze the bibliometric trends of this newfound interest in the field. Methods: Search of the PubMed database for review articles on postbiotics, published between November 2021 and June 2024. Results: Analysis was performed on 92 review articles, the number corresponding to 2.9 reviews per month. China, Poland, Italy, Iran and India had the maximum productivity among the 32 countries involved; 21 articles were published in 13 journals with the highest impact factor, while 45 were in 16 journals with an IF between 4.0 and 4.9. The authors were mainly affiliated to universities with specialization in both basic research and technology, as well as food science. The top five publications regarding the citations received, published in Foods (2), EBioMedicine, Biomolecules, and Front. Nutr., have collected between 138 and 109 citations. Conclusions: The ever-growing number of reviews regarding postbiotics is perhaps disproportionate to the actual original research in the field. Further clinical trials would extend and deepen the subject and facilitate the drowning of more robust conclusions in relation to their effects. Full article

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the influence of diet and nutrition items on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Hirschsprung Disease (HD). Method: An online questionnaire was created to obtain patient-reported outcomes using the multinational Holistic Care in Hirschsprung Disease Network. This was distributed in Dutch, English, German, Italian, Polish, and Swedish via patient associations. Information on demographics, the extension of disease, current diet, and the influence of food ingredients on bowel function were obtained. Results: In total, 563 questionnaires were answered by parents or patients themselves. The length of the aganglionic segment was short in 33%, long in 45%, total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) in 11%, and involved the small intestine in 10%. Overall, 90% reported following a mixed diet, and 31% reported taking probiotics, with twice as many patients taking probiotics in the TCA group compared to standard HD. Mealtimes and behaviours around eating were affected by 61%, while 77% had established food items that worsened symptoms, and of these, 80% stated that they had worked these items out themselves. A high-fibre diet was followed by 24% and 18% a low-fibre diet. Symptoms were reported, particularly from dairy in 30%, fruits in 39%, pulses in 54%, and sugar in 48%. Conclusions: This first multinational survey on diet and bowel function in HD reports an association between certain dietary items with gastrointestinal symptoms. This study can support an improved understanding of the interaction between food items and bowel function in children with HD. We suggest a multidisciplinary approach to balance dietary exclusions and support adequate growth, preventing nutrition deficiencies and enhancing quality of life. Full article

Non-alcoholic fatty acid disease (NAFLD) is caused by a build-up of fat in the liver, inducing local inflammation and fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of probiotic lactic acid-generating bacteria (LAB) derived from a traditional fermented beverage in a mouse model of NAFLD. The LAB isolated from this traditional Korean beverage were screened using the human hepatic cell line HepG2, and Lactocaseibacillus paracasei HY7207 (HY7207), which was the most effective inhibitor of fat accumulation, was selected for further study. HY7207 showed stable productivity in industrial-scale culture. Whole-genome sequencing of HY7207 revealed that the genome was 2.88 Mbp long, with 46.43% GC contents and 2778 predicted protein-coding DNA sequences (CDSs). HY7207 reduced the expression of lipogenesis and hepatic apoptosis-related genes in HepG2 cells treated with palmitic acid. Furthermore, the administration of 10⁹ CFU/kg/day of HY7207 for 8 weeks to mice fed an NAFLD-inducing diet improved their physiologic and serum biochemical parameters and ameliorated their hepatic steatosis. In addition, HY7207 reduced the hepatic expression of genes important for lipogenesis (Srebp1c, Fasn, C/ebpa, Pparg, and Acaca), inflammation (Tnf, Il1b, and Ccl2), and fibrosis (Col1a1, Tgfb1, and Timp1). Finally, HY7207 affected the expression of the apoptosis-related genes Bax (encoding Bcl2 associated X, an apoptosis regulator) and Bcl2 (encoding B-cell lymphoma protein 2) in the liver. These data suggest that HY7207 consumption ameliorates NAFLD in mice through effects on liver steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatic apoptosis. Thus, L. paracasei HY7207 may be suitable for use as a functional food supplement for patients with NAFLD. Full article

The burgeoning interest in natural components in personal care products has led to significant research and development of ingredients such as plant extracts, antioxidants, peptides, and probiotics. These components have been recognized for their potential to enhance skin health through various mechanisms, addressing consumer demand for products that are both effective and benign. Plant extracts, known for their rich composition of bioactive compounds, offer a myriad of benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, making them invaluable in skin care formulations. Antioxidants, derived from both plants and other natural sources, play a pivotal role in protecting the skin from oxidative damage, thereby preventing premature aging and promoting skin vitality. Bioactive peptides have garnered attention owing to their multifunctional activities that include promoting collagen synthesis, inhibiting enzymes responsible for skin degradation, and reducing inflammation, thereby contributing to skin regeneration and anti-aging. Probiotics have expanded their utility beyond gut health to skin care, where they help in maintaining skin microbiome balance, thus enhancing skin barrier function and potentially mitigating various skin disorders. The purpose of this review is to explore the individual roles of plant extracts, antioxidants, peptides, and probiotics in personal care products, while emphasizing their synergistic effects when combined. By integrating these natural components, this paper aims to highlight the potential for developing innovative skincare formulations that not only address specific skin concerns but also contribute to overall skin health, aligning with the increasing consumer preference for natural and holistic skincare solutions. Full article

Kefiran is a heteropolysaccharide that is considered a postbiotic and is obtained by kefir grains fermented in cow’s milk, while little is known about the donkey milk (DM) variety. Postbiotics are recognised as having important human health benefits that are very similar to probiotics but without the negative effects associated with their ingestion. Donkey is a monogastric animal, as are humans, and when used as an alternative food for infants who suffer from cow milk protein allergies, DM could therefore display more biocompatibility. In this study, the DM kefiran was extracted by ultrasound from kefir grains cultured in donkey milk and fully characterized for its structural and physicochemical properties by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography- Refractive Index (HPLC-RI), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC) and rheological analyses. In addition, tests were conducted on keratinocytes cell lines and human red blood cells to assess the nontoxicity and haemolysis degree of the polymer. The extraction yield of the DM kefiran was 6.5 ± 0.15%. The FT-IR analysis confirmed the structure of the polysaccharide by showing that the stretching of the C-O-C and C-O bonds in the ring, which formed two bands at 1157 and 1071 cm⁻¹, respectively, and the anomeric band at 896 cm⁻¹ indicates the β configuration and vibrational modes of glucose and galactose. Results were confirmed by HPLC-RI analysis indicating that the ratio glucose/galactose was 1:0.87. Furthermore, the SEM analysis showed a porous and homogeneous structure. The rheological analysis confirmed the pseudoplastic nature of the polymer, while the DSC analysis highlighted excellent thermal resistance (324 °C). Finally, DM kefiran was revealed to have biologically acceptable toxicity, showing a haemolytic activity of less than 2% when using fresh human red blood cells and showing no cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes. Therefore, kefiran obtained by DM shows an excellent biocompatibility, establishing it as a promising polymer for bioengineering human tissue for regenerative applications. Full article

Odor emissions from animal manure present a significant environmental challenge in livestock farming, impacting air quality and farm sustainability. Traditional methods, such as chemical additives and manure treatment, can be costly, labor-intensive, and less eco-friendly. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness of microbial feed additives in reducing these odors. Conducted over three months in 2022 on a Korean beef cattle farm with 20 cattle, the experiment involved feeding a mixture of four microbial strains—Bacillus subtilis KNU-11, Lactobacillus acidophilus KNU-02, Lactobacillus casei KNU-12, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae KNU-06. Manure samples were collected from an experimental group (n = 9) and a control group (n = 11), with microbial community changes assessed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results demonstrated significant reductions in specific odorous compounds in the experimental group compared to the control group: ammonia decreased by 64.1%, dimethyl sulfide by 81.3%, butyric acid by 84.6%, and isovaleric acid by 49.8%. Additionally, there was a notable shift in the microbiome, with an increase in the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae microbes associated with fiver degradation and fermentation, while the control group had higher levels of Bacteroidota and Spirochaetota, which are linked to pathogenicity. This study demonstrates that probiotics effectively alter intestinal microbiota to enhance microorganisms associated with odor mitigation, offering a promising and more sustainable approach to reducing odor emissions in livestock farming. Full article