Lactobacillus plantarum and Its Probiotic and Food Potentialities

Comparison of iPSC-derived human intestinal epithelial cells with Caco-2 cells and human in vivo data after exposure to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1

To investigate intestinal health and its potential disruptors in vitro, representative models are required. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) more closely resemble the in vivo intestinal tissue than conventional in vitro models like human colonic adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. However, the potential of IECs to study immune-related responses upon external stimuli has not been investigated in detail yet. The aim of the current study was to evaluate immune-related effects of IECs by challenging them with a pro-inflammatory cytokine cocktail. Subsequently, the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 were investigated in unchallenged and challenged IECs. All exposures were compared to Caco-2 cells and in vivo data where possible. Upon the inflammatory challenge, IECs and Caco-2 cells induced a pro-inflammatory response which was strongest in IECs. Heat-killed L. plantarum exerted the strongest effect on immune parameters in the IEC model, while L. plantarum in the stationary growth phase had most pronounced effects on immune-related gene expression in Caco-2 cells. Unfortunately, comparison to in vivo transcriptomics data showed limited similarities, which could be explained by essential differences in the study setups. Altogether, hiPSC-derived IECs show a high potential as a model to study immune-related responses in the intestinal epithelium in vitro.

The role of Lactobacillus plantarum in oral health: a review of current studies

Background

Oral non-communicable diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal disease, impose a significant global health burden. The underlying microbial dysbiosis is a prominent factor, driving interest in strategies that promote a balanced oral microbiome. Lactobacillus plantarum, a gram-positive lactic acid bacterium known for its adaptability, has gained attention for its potential to enhance oral health. Recent studies have explored the use of probiotic L. plantarum in managing dental caries, periodontal disease, and apical periodontitis. However, a comprehensive review on its effects in this context is still lacking.

Aims

This narrative review evaluates current literature on L. plantarum's role in promoting oral health and highlights areas for future research.

Content

In general, the utilization of L. plantarum in managing non-communicable biofilm-dependent oral diseases is promising, but additional investigations are warranted. Key areas for future study include: exploring its mechanisms of action, identifying optimal strains or strain combinations of L. plantarum, determining effective delivery methods and dosages, developing commercial antibacterial agents from L. plantarum, and addressing safety considerations related to its use in oral care.

Metabolome and Metagenome Integration Unveiled Synthesis Pathways of Novel Antioxidant Peptides in Fermented Lignocellulosic Biomass of Palm Kernel Meal

Approximately one-third of the entire world's food resources are deemed to be wasted. Palm kernel meal (PKM), a product that is extensively generated by the palm oil industry, exhibits a unique nutrient-rich composition. However, its recycling is seldom prioritized due to numerous factors. To evaluate the impact of enzymatic pretreatment and Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus reuteri fermentation upon the antioxidant activity of PKM, we implemented integrated metagenomics and metabolomics approaches. The substantially enhanced (p < 0.05) property of free radicals scavenging, as well as total flavonoids and polyphenols, demonstrated that the biotreated PKM exhibited superior antioxidant capacity. Non-targeted metabolomics disclosed that the Lactobacillus fermentation resulted in substantial (p < 0.05) biosynthesis of 25 unique antioxidant biopeptides, along with the increased (p < 0.05) enrichment ratio of the isoflavonoids and secondary metabolites biosynthesis pathways. The 16sRNA sequencing and correlation analysis revealed that Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Limosilactobacillus fermentum, and polysaccharide lyases had significantly dominated (p < 0.05) proportions in PMEL, and these bacterial species were strongly (p < 0.05) positively interrelated with antioxidants peptides. Fermented PKM improves nutritional value by enhancing beneficial probiotics, enzymes, and antioxidants and minimizing anti-nutritional factors, rendering it an invaluable feed ingredient and gut health promoter for animals, multifunctional food elements, or as an ingredient in sustainable plant-based diets for human utilization, and functioning as a culture substrate in the food sector.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Interstrain Variability in the Production of Bioactive Phenolic Metabolites from Flavan-3-ols

Flavan-3-ols intake is associated with numerous health benefits, but these are influenced by their conversion into smaller phenolic metabolites by the gut microbiota. Thus, the identification of bacteria that metabolize flavan-3-ols could lead to targeted interventions to enhance their benefits. To this end, we screened 47 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains for their ability to metabolize (+)-catechin, a flavan-3-ol. Then, we assessed these strains for their capacity to convert various flavan-3-ol structures. Out of the 47 isolates, 12 released 3-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)-propan-2-ol (a form of diphenylpropan-2-ol) from (+)-catechin. All strains metabolized (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, but only a subset transformed (-)-gallocatechin. Among these simple flavan-3-ol structures, (-)-epicatechin was metabolized the most. A hierarchical cluster analysis identified two groups of flavan-3-ol-metabolizing strains categorized as having "high" and "low" production of diphenylpropan-2-ols. Notably, the strains that produced higher levels of diphenylpropan-2-ol from (+)-gallocatechin and (+)-catechin also performed better with a camu-camu extract, which was studied as a complex source of flavan-3-ols and predominantly contained these two flavan-3-ols. These results demonstrate the interstrain variability in L. plantarum metabolism, which may be useful for developing tailored formulations to enhance the production of flavan-3-ols bioactive metabolites.

Probiotics and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Unveiling the Mechanisms of Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium bifidum in Modulating Lipid Metabolism, Inflammation, and Intestinal Barrier Integrity

In recent years, the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen annually, yet due to the intricacies of its pathogenesis and therapeutic challenges, there remains no definitive medication for this condition. This review explores the intricate relationship between the intestinal microbiome and the pathogenesis of NAFLD, emphasizing the substantial roles played by Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These probiotics manipulate lipid synthesis genes and phosphorylated proteins through pathways such as the AMPK/Nrf2, LPS-TLR4-NF-κB, AMPKα/PGC-1α, SREBP-1/FAS, and SREBP-1/ACC signaling pathways to reduce hepatic lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, key components of NAFLD progression. By modifying the intestinal microbial composition and abundance, they combat the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, alleviating the inflammatory response precipitated by dysbiosis and bolstering the intestinal mucosal barrier. Furthermore, they participate in cellular immune regulation, including CD4+ T cells and Treg cells, to suppress systemic inflammation. L. plantarum and B. bifidum also modulate lipid metabolism and immune reactions by adjusting gut metabolites, including propionic and butyric acids, which inhibit liver inflammation and fat deposition. The capacity of probiotics to modulate lipid metabolism, immune responses, and gut microbiota presents an innovative therapeutic strategy. With a global increase in NAFLD prevalence, these insights propose a promising natural method to decelerate disease progression, avert liver damage, and tackle associated metabolic issues, significantly advancing microbiome-focused treatments for NAFLD.

Genotypic Stability of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Industrial Rye Bread Sourdoughs Assessed by ITS-PCR Analysis

Sourdough bread production relies on metabolically active starters refreshed daily with flour and water. The stability of sourdough microbial strains is crucial for consistent bread quality. However, many bakeries lack information on the persistence of starter cultures in ongoing sourdough production. Consequently, there is growing interest in identifying microbial strains from regularly used sourdoughs that possess good functional properties and resist changes in the complex growth environment. This study aimed to evaluate the composition and stability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in industrial wheat (WS) and rye (RS) sourdoughs propagated over a long period. LAB isolates (n = 66) from both sourdoughs, sampled over four seasons, were identified using phenotypic methods and genotyped via ITS-PCR and ITS-PCR/TaqI restriction analysis. Eight LAB species were detected, with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum being the most dominant and stable. Nineteen distinct LAB genotypes were observed, highlighting significant diversity. The presence of identical LAB genotypes in both sourdoughs suggests microbial transfer through the environment and bakery workers. LAB in RS were found to be more stable than those in WS. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring microbial stability and diversity in industrial sourdough production to maintain consistent bread quality.

Beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance, immune status, antioxidant function and intestinal microbiota in broilers

Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has been globally regarded as antibiotic alternative in animal farming in the past few years. However, the potential function of L. plantarum in broilers has not been systemically explored. In this study, a total of 560 one-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 3 groups, fed with basal diet and drank with L. plantarum HJZW08 (LP) at the concentration of 0 (CON), 1000 × 10^5 (LP1000), and 2000 × 10^5 CFU/L (LP2000) for 70 d. Results showed that the body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgY, and anti-inflammatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) were markedly improved (P < 0.05), while the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum were decreased (P < 0.05) in the LP2000 group comparing with the CON group. Besides, LP treatment groups prominently increased the levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, the levels of isobutyric acid in the LP1000 and LP2000 groups and isovaleric acid in the LP2000 group were significantly improved. More importantly, the α-diversity and microbial structure of intestinal microbiota were pronounced altered by LP supplementation. The results showed that only the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota was significantly increased in the LP2000 group, while 6 kinds of bacteria on genus level were significantly changed. For further validation, linear discriminant analysis with effect size (LEfSe) plots revealed that 8 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were predominant in the CON group, while Bacteroides and other beneficial species such as Lactimicrobium massiliense (ASV4 and ASV36), Intestinimonas butyriciproducens (ASV71), and Barnesiella viscericola (ASV152 and ASV571) were enriched in the LP groups. Taken together, dietary supplementation with LP obviously enhanced the immune status, antioxidant capacity, and stabilized the cecal microbiota and SCFAs, contributing to the improvement of growth performance of broilers. Our study laid good foundation for the application of probiotic Lactobacillus in animal industry in the future.

Psychobiotic Properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders are the main cause of cognitive and physical disabilities, affect millions of people worldwide, and their incidence is on the rise. Emerging evidence pinpoints a disturbance of the communication of the gut-brain axis, and in particular to gut microbial dysbiosis, as one of the contributors to the pathogenesis of these diseases. In fact, dysbiosis has been associated with neuro-inflammatory processes, hyperactivation of the neuronal immune system, impaired cognitive functions, aging, depression, sleeping disorders, and anxiety. With the rapid advance in metagenomics, metabolomics, and big data analysis, together with a multidisciplinary approach, a new horizon has just emerged in the fields of translational neurodegenerative disease. In fact, recent studies focusing on taxonomic profiling and leaky gut in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders are not only shedding light on an overlooked field but are also creating opportunities for biomarker discovery and development of new therapeutic and adjuvant strategies to treat these disorders. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LBP) strains are emerging as promising psychobiotics for the treatment of these diseases. In fact, LBP strains are able to promote eubiosis, increase the enrichment of bacteria producing beneficial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, boost the production of neurotransmitters, and support the homeostasis of the gut-brain axis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders with a particular focus on the benefits of LBP strains in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, anxiety, and depression.

The Immunomodulatory Effects and Applications of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Vaccine Development

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously known as Lactobacillus plantarum) is a lactic acid bacterium that exists in various niches. L. plantarum is a food-grade microorganism that is commonly considered a safe and beneficial microorganism. It is widely used in food fermentation, agricultural enhancement, and environmental protection. L. plantarum is also part of the normal flora that can regulate the intestinal microflora and promote intestinal health. Some strains of L. plantarum are powerful probiotics that induce and modulate the innate and adaptive immune responses. Due to its outstanding immunoregulatory capacities, an increasing number of studies have examined the use of probiotic L. plantarum strains as natural immune adjuvants or alternative live vaccine carriers. The present review summarizes the main immunomodulatory characteristics of L. plantarum and discusses the preliminary immunological effects of L. plantarum as a vaccine adjuvant and delivery carrier. Different methods for improving the immune capacities of recombinant vector vaccines are also discussed.

Screening antimicrobial peptides and probiotics using multiple deep learning and directed evolution strategies

Owing to their limited accuracy and narrow applicability, current antimicrobial peptide (AMP) prediction models face obstacles in industrial application. To address these limitations, we developed and improved an AMP prediction model using Comparing and Optimizing Multiple DEep Learning (COMDEL) algorithms, coupled with high-throughput AMP screening method, finally reaching an accuracy of 94.8% in test and 88% in experiment verification, surpassing other state-of-the-art models. In conjunction with COMDEL, we employed the phage-assisted evolution method to screen Sortase in vivo and developed a cell-free AMP synthesis system in vitro, ultimately increasing AMPs yields to a range of 0.5-2.1 g/L within hours. Moreover, by multi-omics analysis using COMDEL, we identified Lactobacillus plantarum as the most promising candidate for AMP generation among 35 edible probiotics. Following this, we developed a microdroplet sorting approach and successfully screened three L. plantarum mutants, each showing a twofold increase in antimicrobial ability, underscoring their substantial industrial application values.

Tannic acid protects against colitis by regulating the IL17 - NFκB and microbiota - methylation pathways

Tannic acid, a bioactive polyphenol found in various phytogenic foods and medicinal plants, has potential prevention effects on colitis, though more evidence and mechanistic studies are required to substantiate this. In this study, we investigated the effects of different doses from 0 to 3 mg/mL of tannic acid on mice, ultimately selecting a dose of 3 mg/mL for the anti-colitis trial based on growth and intestinal morphology assessments. Using the DSS-induced colitis model, we found that tannic acid may alleviate colitis by inhibiting the IL-17 - NF-κB p65 signaling pathway and modulating epigenetic pathways, particularly methylation modifications. Additionally, tannic acid altered the gut microbiota, increasing the abundances of Prevotella, Eubacterium_siraeum_group, and Enterorhabdus in the colon. Supplementation with Eubacterium siraeum via gavage also inhibited colitis, accompanied by increased folate and methylation regulators in the colon. These findings suggest that tannic acid may inhibit colitis through the suppression of the IL-17 - NF-κB pathway and the enhancement of microbiota-mediated methylation pathways.

Encapsulated probiotic Lactiplantibacillus strains with promising applications as feed additives for broiler chickens

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly Lactobacilli strains, represent a widely studied and promising group of probiotics with numerous potential health benefits. In this study, we isolated LAB strains from fecal samples of healthy broiler chickens and characterized their probiotic properties. Out of 62 initial isolates, five strains were selected for further investigations based on their antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. These selected strains were identified as Lactiplantibacillus species. They exhibited desirable probiotic traits, including non-hemolyis, non-cytotoxicity, lack of antibiotic resistance, acid tolerance, auto-aggregation, and antioxidative potential. Encapsulation of these strains in alginate beads enhanced their survival compared to free cells, in stomach (69-87 % vs. 34-47 %) and intestinal (72-100 % vs. 27-51 %) juices, after 120 min exposure. These findings suggest that encapsulated Lactiplantibacillus strains could be used as feed additives for broiler chickens. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to set on their probiotic potential in vivo.

Integrated Metabolomics and Metagenomics Unveiled Biomarkers of Antioxidant Potential in Fermented Brewer's Grains

About one-third of the global food supply is wasted. Brewers' spent grain (BSG), being produced in enormous amounts by the brewery industry, possesses an eminence nutritional profile, yet its recycling is often neglected for multiple reasons. We employed integrated metagenomics and metabolomics techniques to assess the effects of enzyme treatments and Lactobacillus fermentation on the antioxidant capacity of BSG. The biotreated BSG revealed improved antioxidant capability, as evidenced by significantly increased (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activity and flavonoid and polyphenol content. Untargeted metabolomics revealed that Lactobacillus fermentation led to the prominent synthesis (p < 0.05) of 15 novel antioxidant peptides, as well as significantly higher (p < 0.05) enrichment of isoflavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways. The correlation analysis demonstrated that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum exhibited strong correlation (p < 0.05) with aucubin and carbohydrate-active enzymes, namely, glycoside hydrolases 25, glycosyl transferases 5, and carbohydrate esterases 9. The fermented BSG has potential applications in the food industry as a culture medium, a functional food component for human consumption, and a bioactive feed ingredient for animals.

Study on the alleviative effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on Eimeria falciformis infection

Coccidia of the genus Eimeria are specialized intracellular parasitic protozoa that cause severe coccidiosis when they infect their hosts. Animals infected with Eimeria develop clinical symptoms, such as anorexia, diarrhea, and hematochezia, which can even cause death. Although the current preferred regimen for the treatment of coccidiosis is antibiotics, this treatment strategy is limited by the ban on antibiotics and the growing problem of drug resistance. Therefore, the exploration of alternative methods for controlling coccidiosis has attracted much attention. Lactobacillus plantarum has been shown to have many beneficial effects. In this study, L. plantarum M2 was used as a research object to investigate the effect of L. plantarum on intestinal inflammation induced by infection with Eimeria falciformis in mice by detecting indicators, such as oocyst output, serum cytokines, and the intestinal microbiota. Compared with that in the infection group, the percent weight loss of the mice that were administered with L. plantarum M2 was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Supplemented L. plantarum M2 and probiotics combined with diclazuril can reduce the total oocyst output significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). L. plantarum M2 had outstanding performance in maintaining intestinal barrier function, and the levels of the mucin MUC1 and the tight junction protein E-cadherin were significantly elevated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Studies have shown that probiotic supplementation can alleviate adverse reactions after infection and significantly improve intestinal barrier function. In addition, probiotics combined with diclazuril could optimize the partial efficacy of diclazuril, which not only enhanced the effect of antibiotics but also alleviated their adverse effects. This study expands the application of probiotics, provides new ideas for alternative strategies for coccidia control, and suggests a basis for related research on lactobacilli antagonizing intracellular pathogen infection.IMPORTANCECoccidia of the genus Eimeria are specialized intracellular parasitic protozoa, and the current preferred regimen for the treatment of coccidiosis is antibiotics. However, due to antibiotic bans and drug resistance, the exploration of alternative methods for controlling coccidiosis has attracted much attention. In this work, we focused on Lactobacillus plantarum M2 and found that probiotic supplementation can alleviate adverse reactions after infection and improve intestinal barrier function. This study proposes the possibility of using lactic acid bacteria to control coccidiosis, and its potential mechanism needs further exploration.

ReFerm®: a postbiotic fermented oat gruel composition is reducing mast cell degranulation in the colon of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that affects ~4% of the global population. ReFerm® is a postbiotic product derived from oat gruel fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v, and it has been shown to have beneficial effects on intestinal permeability in patients with IBS. In this study, we investigated the effects of ReFerm® on regulators of intestinal permeability, namely mast cells and enteric glial cells.

Materials and methods

A total of 30 patients with moderate to severe IBS were treated with an enema containing ReFerm® or a placebo twice daily. The patients underwent sigmoidoscopy with biopsies obtained from the distal colon at baseline and after 14 days of treatment. These biopsies were processed in two ways: some were fixed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained for mast cells and enteric glial cells; others were cryopreserved, lysed, and subjected to Western blotting to analyze the same markers.

Results

Treatment with ReFerm®, but not the placebo, significantly reduced mast cell tryptase protein levels in the biopsy lysates. Although the number of mast cells remained unchanged in colonic biopsies, ReFerm® treatment significantly reduced mast cell degranulation, a result not observed in the placebo group. Neither ReFerm® or placebo treatment had an impact on total protein levels or the number of enteric glial cells in the biopsies.

Conclusion

ReFerm® treatment significantly reduced both total mast cell tryptase levels and the degranulation of mast cells in colonic biopsies from patients with IBS, suggesting a decrease in mast cell activity as a potential mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of ReFerm®. However, further research is required to assess the molecular mechanisms through which ReFerm® operates in the colons of patients with IBS.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT05475314.

Bacterial communities associated with Acrobeles complexus nematodes recovered from tomato crops in South Africa

The productivity of agricultural ecosystems is heavily influenced by soil-dwelling organisms. To optimize agricultural practices and management, it is critical to know the composition, abundance, and interactions of soil microorganisms. Our study focused on Acrobeles complexus nematodes collected from tomato fields in South Africa and analyzed their associated bacterial communities utilizing metabarcoding analysis. Our findings revealed that A. complexus forms associations with a wide range of bacterial species. Among the most abundant species identified, we found Dechloromonas sp., a bacterial species commonly found in aquatic sediments, Acidovorax temperans, a bacterial species commonly found in activated sludge, and Lactobacillus ruminis, a commensal motile lactic acid bacterium that inhabits the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. Through principal component analysis (PCA), we found that the abundance of A. complexus in the soil is negatively correlated with clay content (r = -0.990) and soil phosphate levels (r = -0.969) and positively correlated with soil sand content (r = 0.763). This study sheds light on the bacterial species associated to free-living nematodes in tomato crops in South Africa and highlights the occurrence of various potentially damaging and beneficial nematode-associated bacteria, which can in turn, impact soil health and tomato production.

Characterization of high-internal-phase emulsions based on soy protein isolate with varying concentrations of soy hull polysaccharide and their capabilities for probiotic delivery: In vivo and in vitro release and thermal stability

In this study, the impact of soy hull polysaccharide (SHP) concentration on high-internal-phase emulsions (HIPEs) formation and the gastrointestinal viability of Lactobacillus plantarum within HIPEs were demonstrated. Following the addition of SHP, competitive adsorption with soy protein isolate (SPI) occurred, leading to increased protein adhesion to the oil-water interface and subsequent coating of oil droplets. This process augmented viscosity and enhanced HIPEs stability. Specifically, 1.8 % SHP had the best encapsulation efficiency and delivery efficiency, reaching 99.3 % and 71.1 %, respectively. After 14 d of continuous zebrafishs feeding, viable counts of Lactobacillus plantarum and complex probiotics in the intestinal tract was 1.1 × 107, 1.3 × 107, respectively. In vitro experiments further proved that HIPEs' ability to significantly enhance probiotics' intestinal colonization and provided targeted release for colon-specific delivery. These results provided a promising strategy for HIPEs-encapsulated probiotic delivery systems in oral food applications.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Lactobacillus plantarum has been shown to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in mouse models of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it remains unclear whether such benefits extend to humans. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to clarify the effect of L. plantarum supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM and prediabetes. The PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled mean difference with 95% CI (confidence interval). L. plantarum supplementation reduced the levels of fasting plasma glucose (-0.41, 95%CI -0.63, -0.19 mg/dL; n = 5) and hemoglobin A1c (-0.2, 95%CI: -0.3, 0%; n = 4). A non-statistically significant tendency towards improvements in the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (MD: -0.74, 95%CI: -1.72, 0.25; n = 3), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-6.87; 95%CI: -15.03, 1.29 mg/dL; n = 3), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: 1.34; 95%CI: -0.78, 3.46 mg/dL; n = 3), triglyceride (MD: -3.90; 95%CI: -11.05, 3.24 mg/dL; n = 3), and total cholesterol (MD: -4.88; 95%CI: -11.84, 2.07 mg/dL; n = 3) was observed with the supplementation. In summary, while the evidence from the currently available RCTs provides a crude indication that L. plantarum supplementation might improve glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM and prediabetes, the benefits of the supplementation are likely subtle, and its clinical significance requires further investigation.

Characterization of a symbiotic beverage based on water-soluble soybean extract fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014

The health benefits of functional foods are associated with consumer interest and have supported the growth of the market for these types of foods, with emphasis on the development of new formulations based on plant extracts. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize a symbiotic preparation based on water-soluble soy extract, supplemented with inulin and xylitol and fermented by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014. Regarding nutritional issues, the symbiotic formulation can be considered a source of fiber (2 g/100 mL) and proteins (2.6 g/100 mL), and it also has a low-fat content and low caloric value. This formulation, in terms of microbiological aspects, remained adequate to legal standards after storage for 60 days under refrigeration and also presented an adequate quantity of the aforementioned probiotic strain, corresponding to 9.11 Log CFU.mL-1. These viable L. plantarum cells proved to be resistant to simulated human gastrointestinal tract conditions, reaching the intestine at high cell concentrations of 7.95 Log CFU.mL-1 after 60 days of refrigeration. Regarding sensory evaluation, the formulation showed good acceptance, presenting an average overall impression score of 6.98, 5.98, and 5.16, for control samples stored for 30 and 60 days under refrigeration, respectively. These results demonstrate that water-soluble soy extract is a suitable matrix for fermentation involving L. plantarum ATCC 8014, supporting and providing data on the first steps towards the development of a symbiotic functional food, targeting consumers who have restrictions regarding the consumption of products of animal origin, diabetics, and individuals under calorie restrictions.

Immunomodulatory Activity on Human Macrophages by Cell-Free Supernatants to Explore the Probiotic and Postbiotic Potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains of Plant Origin

Upon dietary administration, probiotic microorganisms can reach as live cells the human gut, where they interact with the microbiota and host cells, thereby exerting a beneficial impact on host functions, mainly through immune-modulatory activities. Recently, attention has been drawn by postbiotics, i.e. non-viable probiotic microbes, including their metabolic products, which possess biological activities that benefit the host. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a bacterial species that comprises recognised probiotic strains. In this study, we investigated in vitro the probiotic (and postbiotic) potential of seven L. plantarum strains, including five newly isolated from plant-related niches. The strains were shown to possess some basic probiotic attributes, including tolerance to the gastrointestinal environment, adhesion to the intestinal epithelium and safety. Besides, their cell-free culture supernatants modulated cytokine patterns in human macrophages in vitro, promoting TNF-α gene transcription and secretion, while attenuating the transcriptional activation and secretion of both TNF-α and IL-8 in response to a pro-inflammatory signal, and enhancing the production of IL-10. Some strains induced a high IL-10/IL-12 ratio that may correlate to an anti-inflammatory capacity in vivo. Overall, the investigated strains are good probiotic candidates, whose postbiotic fraction exhibits immunomodulatory properties that need further in vivo studies. The main novelty of this work consists in the polyphasic characterisation of candidate beneficial L. plantarum strains obtained from relatively atypical plant-associated niches, by an approach that explores both probiotic and postbiotic potentials, in particular studying the effect of microbial culture-conditioned media on cytokine pattern, analysed at both transcriptional and secretion level in human macrophages.

The Health Benefits of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To ensure effective administration of probiotics in clinical practice, it is crucial to comprehend the specific strains and their association with human health. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the scientific evidence on the impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum probiotic consumption on human health. Out of 11,831 records, 135 studies were assessed qualitatively, and 18 studies were included in the meta-analysis. This systematic review demonstrated that probiotic supplementation with L. plantarum, either alone or in combination, can significantly improve outcomes for patients with specific medical conditions. Meta-analysis revealed notable benefits in periodontal health, evidenced by reduced pocket depth and bleeding on probing (p < 0.001); in gastroenterological health, marked by significant reductions in abdominal pain (p < 0.001); and in infectious disease, through a reduction in C-reactive protein levels (p < 0.001). Cardiovascular benefits included lowered total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the L. plantarum intervention group (p < 0.05). Our study's clinical significance highlights the importance of considering probiotic strain and their application to specific diseases when planning future studies and clinical interventions, emphasizing the need for further research in this area.

A Response Surface Methodological Approach for Large-Scale Production of Antibacterials from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum with Potential Utility against Foodborne and Orthopedic Infections

A variety of bacteria, including beneficial probiotic lactobacilli, produce antibacterials to kill competing bacteria. Lactobacilli secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) called bacteriocins and organic acids. In the food industry, bacteriocins, but even whole cell-free supernatants, are becoming more and more important as bio-preservatives, while, in orthopedics, bacteriocins are introducing new perspectives in biomaterials technologies for anti-infective surfaces. Studies are focusing on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously known as Lactobacillus plantarum). L. plantarum exhibits great phenotypic versatility, which enhances the chances for its industrial exploitation. Importantly, more than other lactobacilli, it relies on AMPs for its antibacterial activity. In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) through a Box-Behnken experimental design was used to estimate the optimal conditions for the production of antibacterials by L. plantarum. A temperature of 35 °C, pH 6.5, and an incubation time of 48 h provided the highest concentration of antibacterials. The initial pH was the main factor influencing the production of antibacterials, at 95% confidence level. Thanks to RSM, the titer of antibacterials increased more than 10-fold, this result being markedly higher than those obtained in the very few studies that have so far used similar statistical methodologies. The Box-Behnken design turned out to be a valid model to satisfactorily plan a large-scale production of antibacterials from L. plantarum.

Effect of L-arabinose and lactulose combined with Lactobacillus plantarum on obesity induced by a high-fat diet in mice

L-Arabinose, lactulose, and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) have been reported to have glucolipid-lowering effects. Here, the effects of L-arabinose and lactulose combined with L. plantarum on obesity traits were investigated. According to the experimental results, the combination of L-arabinose, lactulose, and L. plantarum was more effective at reducing body weight, regulating glucolipid metabolism, and improving insulin resistance. Besides, this combination showed immunomodulatory activity by adjusting the T lymphocyte subsets and reduced the immune-related cytokine production. Moreover, it improved the gut barrier, ameliorated the disorder of gut microbiota, and upregulated the levels of SCFAs. More importantly, the AL group, LP group, and ALLP group showed different regulatory effects on the abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus due to the presence of lactulose and L. plantarum. These findings elucidate that the combination of L-arabinose, lactulose, and L. plantarum constitutes a new synbiotic combination to control obesity by modulating glucolipid metabolism, immunomodulatory activity, inflammation, gut barrier, gut microbiota and production of SCFAs.

Effectiveness of Psychobiotics in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Cognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

In this study, a systematic review of randomized clinical trials conducted from January 2000 to December 2023 was performed to examine the efficacy of psychobiotics-probiotics beneficial to mental health via the gut-brain axis-in adults with psychiatric and cognitive disorders. Out of the 51 studies involving 3353 patients where half received psychobiotics, there was a notably high measurement of effectiveness specifically in the treatment of depression symptoms. Most participants were older and female, with treatments commonly utilizing strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria over periods ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. Although there was a general agreement on the effectiveness of psychobiotics, the variability in treatment approaches and clinical presentations limits the comparability and generalization of the findings. This underscores the need for more personalized treatment optimization and a deeper investigation into the mechanisms through which psychobiotics act. The research corroborates the therapeutic potential of psychobiotics and represents progress in the management of psychiatric and cognitive disorders.

Developing a High-Umami, Low-Salt Soy Sauce through Accelerated Moromi Fermentation with Corynebacterium and Lactiplantibacillus Strains

The traditional fermentation process of soy sauce employs a hyperhaline model and has a long fermentation period. A hyperhaline model can improve fermentation speed, but easily leads to the contamination of miscellaneous bacteria and fermentation failure. In this study, after the conventional koji and moromi fermentation, the fermentation broth was pasteurized and diluted, and then inoculated with three selected microorganisms including Corynebacterium glutamicum, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum for secondary fermentation. During this ten-day fermentation, the pH, free amino acids, organic acids, nucleotide acids, fatty acids, and volatile compounds were analyzed. The fermentation group inoculated with C. glutamicum accumulated the high content of amino acid nitrogen of 0.92 g/100 mL and glutamic acid of 509.4 mg/100 mL. The C. ammoniagenes group and L. plantarum group were rich in nucleotide and organic acid, respectively. The fermentation group inoculated with three microorganisms exhibited the best sensory attributes, showing the potential to develop a suitable fermentation method. The brewing speed of the proposed process in this study was faster than that of the traditional method, and the umami substances could be significantly accumulated in this low-salt fermented model (7% w/v NaCl). This study provides a reference for the low-salt and rapid fermentation of seasoning.

Exopolysaccharides and Surface-Layer Proteins Expressed by Biofilm-State Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y42 Play Crucial Role in Preventing Intestinal Barrier and Immunity Dysfunction of Balb/C Mice Infected by Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115

Our previous study showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y42 in the biofilm state can produce more exopolysaccharides and surface-layer proteins and showed a stronger promoting effect on intestinal barrier function than that in the planktonic state. In this study, oral administration of the live/pasteurized planktonic or biofilm L. plantarum Y42 and its metabolites (exopolysaccharides and surface-layer proteins) increased the expression of Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and MUC2 in the gut of the Balb/C mice after exposure to Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 19115 and inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, which in turn reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the mice. Furthermore, oral administration of the live/pasteurized planktonic or biofilm L. plantarum Y42 and its metabolites increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001) while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (e.g., norank_f__Muribaculaceae) in the gut of the mice, in line with the increase of short-chain fatty acids and indole derivatives in the feces of the mice. Notably, biofilm L. plantarum Y42 exerted a better preventing effect on the intestinal barrier dysfunction of the Balb/C mice due to the fact that biofilm L. plantarumY42 expressed more exopolysaccharides and surface-layer proteins than the planktonic state. These results provide data support for the use of exopolysaccharides and surface-layer proteins extracted from biofilm-state L. plantarum Y42 as functional food ingredients in preventing intestinal barrier dysfunction.

The Probiotic Kluyveromyces lactis JSA 18 Alleviates Obesity and Hyperlipidemia in High-Fat Diet C57BL/6J Mice

Obesity poses a significant threat to various health conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attack, with the gut microbiota playing a crucial role in maintaining the body's energy balance. We identified a novel probiotic fungal strain, Kluyveromyces lactis JSA 18 (K. lactis), which was isolated from yak milk and was found to possess anti-obesity properties. Additionally, Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC 8198 (LP8198) from our previous study was also included to evaluate its anti-obesity properties. The findings indicated that K. lactis caused a notable reduction in weight gain, liver and fat indexes, and hyperlipidemia in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Administering K. lactis and LP8198 to mice on a high-fat diet resulted in a reduction of serum triglyceride levels. Furthermore, the supplements reduced ALT and AST activity, and inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. In addition, lipid metabolism was enhanced by the downregulation of ACC1, PPAR-γ, SREBP-1, and Fasn. Moreover, this study found that K. lactis and LP8198 have little effect on gut bacteria. Additionally, K. lactis partially influenced intestinal fungi, while LP8198 had a minor influence on gut mycobiota. The main goal of this research was to show how effective K. lactis can be as a probiotic in combating obesity.

Lactic Acid Production by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AC 11S-Kinetics and Modeling

Lactic acid is a versatile chemical with wide application in many industries. It can be produced by the fermentation of different sugars by various lactobacilli and investigations on lactic acid production from different substrates and by different strains are still in progress. The present study aimed to study lactic acid production from lactose by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AC 11S and to choose a mathematical model describing in the best way the experimental data obtained. The influence of initial substrate concentration was investigated, and optimal pH and temperature were determined. An unstructured mathematical model was developed comprising equations for bacterial growth, substrate consumption, and product formation. The model was solved with different terms for specific growth rates considering substrate and/or product inhibition. The best bacterial growth and lactic acid production were achieved at pH = 6.5 and 30 °C. Production of lactic acid was mainly growth-associated, and at initial substrate concentration over 15 g/L, a considerable product inhibition was observed. The parameters of different models were determined and compared. The modified Gompertz equation gave the best fit when solving only the equation for biomass growth at different initial substrate concentrations. Solving the entire set of differential equations for bacterial growth, substrate consumption, and product formation, the best results were obtained when using a variant of the logistic equation for biomass growth. This variant included a term for product inhibition and described in the best way all experimental data. Solving the model for different biomass concentrations showed that an increase in biomass led to a shorter lag phase and the stationary phase was reached faster. The results obtained, optimum conditions and the kinetic model, are good bases for studying pH-controlled fermentation, as well as a continuous process.

Characterization of Genomic, Physiological, and Probiotic Features of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JS21 Strain Isolated from Traditional Fermented Jiangshui

This study aimed to understand the genetic and metabolic traits of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JS21 strain and its probiotic abilities through laboratory tests and computer analysis. L. plantarum JS21 was isolated from a traditional fermented food known as "Jiangshui" in Hanzhong city. In this research, the complete genetic makeup of JS21 was determined using Illumina and PacBio technologies. The JS21 genome consisted of a 3.423 Mb circular chromosome and five plasmids. It was found to contain 3023 protein-coding genes, 16 tRNA genes, 64 rRNA operons, 40 non-coding RNA genes, 264 pseudogenes, and six CRISPR array regions. The GC content of the genome was 44.53%. Additionally, the genome harbored three complete prophages. The evolutionary relationship and the genome collinearity of JS21 were compared with other L. plantarum strains. The resistance genes identified in JS21 were inherent. Enzyme genes involved in the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) and phosphoketolase (PK) pathways were detected, indicating potential for facultative heterofermentative pathways. JS21 possessed bacteriocins plnE/plnF genes and genes for polyketide and terpenoid assembly, possibly contributing to its antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Escherichia coli (K88), Staphylococcus aureus (CMCC 26003), and Listeria monocytogenes (CICC 21635). Furthermore, JS21 carried genes for Na+/H+ antiporters, F0F1 ATPase, and other stress resistance genes, which may account for its ability to withstand simulated conditions of the human gastrointestinal tract in vitro. The high hydrophobicity of its cell surface suggested the potential for intestinal colonization. Overall, L. plantarum JS21 exhibited probiotic traits as evidenced by laboratory experiments and computational analysis, suggesting its suitability as a dietary supplement.

Assessment of Genomic and Metabolic Characteristics of Cholesterol-Reducing and GABA Producer Limosilactobacillus fermentum AGA52 Isolated from Lactic Acid Fermented Shalgam Based on "In Silico" and "In Vitro" Approaches

This study aimed to characterize the genomic and metabolic properties of a novel Lb. fermentum strain AGA52 which was isolated from a lactic acid fermented beverage called "shalgam." The genome size of AGA52 was 2,001,184 bp, which is predicted to carry 2024 genes, including 50 tRNAs, 3 rRNAs, 3 ncRNAs, 15 CRISPR repeats, 14 CRISPR spacers, and 1 CRISPR array. The genome has a GC content of 51.82% including 95 predicted pseudogenes, 56 complete or partial transposases, and 2 intact prophages. The similarity of the clusters of orthologous groups (COG) was analyzed by comparison with the other Lb. fermentum strains. The detected resistome on the genome of AGA52 was found to be intrinsic originated. Besides, it has been determined that AGA52 has an obligate heterofermentative carbohydrate metabolism due to the absence of the 1-phosphofructokinase (pfK) enzyme. Furthermore, the strain is found to have a better antioxidant capacity and to be tolerant to gastrointestinal simulated conditions. It was also observed that the AGA52 has antimicrobial activity against Yersinia enterocolitica ATCC9610, Bacillus cereus ATCC33019, Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:h7 ATCC43897, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC7644, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC13883, and Proteus vulgaris ATCC8427. Additionally, AGA52 exhibited 42.74 ± 4.82% adherence to HT29 cells. Cholesterol assimilation (33.9 ± 0.005%) and GABA production capacities were also confirmed by "in silico" and "in vitro." Overall, the investigation of genomic and metabolic features of the AGA52 revealed that is a potential psychobiotic and probiotic dietary supplement candidate and can bring functional benefits to the host.

Novel Synergistic Probiotic Intervention: Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Ameliorative Effects on Immunity, Gut Barrier, and Metabolism of Mice during Salmonella typhimurium Infection

Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), a prevalent cause of foodborne infection, induces significant changes in the host transcriptome and metabolome. The lack of therapeutics with minimal or no side effects prompts the scientific community to explore alternative therapies. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a probiotic mixture comprising Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus 1.3251) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum 9513) against S. typhimurium, utilizing transcriptome and metabolomic analyses, a novel approach that has not been previously documented. Twenty-four SPF-BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control negative group (CNG); positive control group (CPG); probiotic-supplemented non-challenged group (LAPG); and probiotic-supplemented Salmonella-challenged group (LAPST). An RNA-sequencing analysis of small intestinal (ileum) tissue revealed 2907 upregulated and 394 downregulated DEGs in the LAPST vs. CPG group. A functional analysis of DEGs highlighted their significantly altered gene ontology (GO) terms related to metabolism, gut integrity, cellular development, and immunity (p ≤ 0.05). The KEGG analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the LAPST group were primarily involved in pathways related to gut integrity, immunity, and metabolism, such as MAPK, PI3K-Akt, AMPK, the tryptophan metabolism, the glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, ECM-receptor interaction, and others. Additionally, the fecal metabolic analysis identified 1215 upregulated and 305 downregulated metabolites in the LAPST vs. CPG group, implying their involvement in KEGG pathways including bile secretion, propanoate metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and protein digestion and absorption, which are vital for maintaining barrier integrity, immunity, and metabolism. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the administration of a probiotic mixture improves immunity, maintains gut homeostasis and barrier integrity, and enhances metabolism in Salmonella infection.

Production of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: A Review with Emphasis on Fermented Foods

The term Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) refers generically to a class of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. Among the isomers of linoleic acid cis9, trans11-CLA (c9, t11-CLA) and trans10, cis12-CLA (t10, c12-CLA) are found to be biologically active isomers, and they occur naturally in milk, dairy products and meat from ruminants. In addition, some vegetables and some seafoods have also been reported to contain CLA. Although the CLA levels in these natural sources are insufficient to confer the essential health benefits, anti-carcinogenic or anti-cancer effects are of current interest. In the rumen, CLA is an intermediate of isomerization and the biohydrogenation process of linoleic acid to stearic acid conducted by ruminal microorganisms. In addition to rumen bacteria, some other bacteria, such as Propionibacterium, Bifidobacterium and some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are also capable of producing CLA. In this regard, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) has demonstrated the ability to produce CLA isomers from linoleic acid by multiple enzymatic activities, including hydration, dehydration, and isomerization. L. plantarum is one of the most versatile species of LAB and the bacterium is widely used in the food industry as a microbial food culture. Thus, in this review we critically analyzed the literature produced in the last ten years with the aim to highlight the potentiality as well as the optimal conditions for CLA production by L. plantarum. Evidence was provided suggesting that the use of appropriate strains of L. plantarum, as a starter or additional culture in the production of some fermented foods, can be considered a critical factor in the design of new CLA-enriched functional foods.

Lactobacillus Plantarum Promotes Wound Healing by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Pyroptosis Activation in Diabetic Foot Wounds

Objective

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) impairs the quality of life of diabetic patients and overburdens healthcare systems and society. It is crucial to comprehend the pathophysiology of DFU and develop effective treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus Plantarum (LP) on wound healing in DFU and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

To investigate the effects of LP on wound healing, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and used to assess cell viability, migration, and pyroptosis using CCK-8, cell scratch, and flow cytometry. The levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were measured by ELISA. The expression of NLRP3, caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD-N was detected by Western blot. Additionally, NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 was used to treat a diabetic rat model established by streptozotocin (STZ). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between LP and NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18 in ulcer tissue.

Results

Our data mechanistically demonstrate that AGEs activate the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, leading to an increase in the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 and ultimately promoting cell pyroptosis. Furthermore, we identified that LP inhibits the effects of AGEs by downregulating NLRP3 inflammasome activity. LP facilitated wound healing in diabetic rats and resulted in decreased protein levels of NLRP3 and its downstream target caspase-1 p20. Finally, we observed a negative correlation between LP and NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18 in diabetic foot skin tissue.

Conclusion

Our findings uncovered a novel role of LP in diabetic foot wound healing via regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting this link as a therapeutic target. In future research, it would be valuable to explore the signaling cascades involved in LP-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Effects of Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HJLP-1 on Growth Performance, Selected Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Function Indices in the Serum, and Cecal Microbiota in Broiler Chicken

This research study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on growth performance, oxidation resistance, immunity, and cecal microbiota in broilers. This work classed three hundred and sixty 1-day-old male broilers into three groups randomly, including a control group (CON, basal diet) and antibiotic (ANT, 75 mg kg-1 chlortetracycline added into basal diet) and probiotic groups (LP, 5 × 108 CFU kg-1Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HJLP-1 contained within basal diet). Animals were then fed for 42 days, and each group comprised eight replicates with 15 broilers. Compared with CON, L. plantarum supplementation significantly improved the average daily weight gain (AWDG) (p < 0.05) while reducing the feed-gain ratio over the entire supplemental period (p < 0.05). Birds fed L. plantarum had markedly lower serum ammonia and xanthine oxidase levels (p < 0.05) than those in the ANT and CON groups. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and serum IgM and IgY contents in broilers fed L. plantarum were also observed when compared with those in the CON and ANT groups. Both L. plantarum and antibiotics decreased pro-inflammatory factor IL-1β levels significantly (p < 0.05), while only L. plantarum promoted anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 levels in the serum (p < 0.05) compared with CON. L. plantarum (p < 0.05) increased acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations in cecal contents when compared to those in CON and ANT. Among the differences revealed via 16S rRNA analysis, L. plantarum markedly improved the community richness of the cecal microbiota. At the genus level, the butyric acid-producing bacteria Ruminococcus and Lachnospiraceae were found in higher relative abundance in samples of L. plantarum-treated birds. In conclusion, dietary L. plantarum supplementation promoted the growth and health of broilers, likely by inducing a shift in broiler gut microbiota toward short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. Therefore, L. plantarum has potential as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry breeding.

Microbial dysbiosis and the aging process: a review on the potential age-deceleration role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been a serious risk factor for several gastric and systemic diseases. Recently, gut microbiota's role in aging was discussed. Available preclinical evidence suggests that the probiotic bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarums (LP) may influence the aging process via modulation of the gut microbiota. The present review summarized compelling evidence of LP's potential effect on aging hallmarks such as oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA methylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. LP gavage modulates gut microbiota and improves overall endurance in aging animal models. LP cell constituents exert considerable antioxidant potential which may reduce ROS levels directly. In addition, restored gut microbiota facilitate a healthy intestinal milieu and accelerate multi-channel communication via signaling factors such as SCFA and GABA. Signaling factors further activate specific transcription factor Nrf2 in order to reduce oxidative damage. Nrf2 regulates cellular defense systems involving anti-inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, and protective enzymes against MAPKs. We concluded that LP supplementation may be an effective approach to managing aging and associated health risks.

Systematic elucidation of independently modulated genes in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum reveals a trade-off between secondary and primary metabolism

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is a probiotic bacterium widely used in food and health industries, but its gene regulatory information is limited in existing databases, which impedes the research of its physiology and its applications. To obtain a better understanding of the transcriptional regulatory network of L. plantarum, independent component analysis of its transcriptomes was used to derive 45 sets of independently modulated genes (iModulons). Those iModulons were annotated for associated transcription factors and functional pathways, and active iModulons in response to different growth conditions were identified and characterized in detail. Eventually, the analysis of iModulon activities reveals a trade-off between regulatory activities of secondary and primary metabolism in L. plantarum.

Analysis of the effect of pulsed light on the protein of Lactobacillus plantarum based on liquid mass spectrometry

Studying the mutagenesis mechanism is crucial for pulsed light use in the food processing industry. After being exposed to pulsed light, the original strain Y Lactobacillus Plantarum CICC6048 was transformed into the high acid-producing mutant G10. The differing levels of protein expression between the two strains were compared using the LC-MS/MS analysis. The bacterium displayed a distinct differential protein composition after pulsed light treatment, according to GO analysis. A KEGG analysis revealed that the pathways for cofactor biosynthesis, starch, sucrose metabolism, and phosphate transfer systems were considerably different in the proteins of high acid-producing strains (PTS). In the protein interaction network, A0A0R2G2S1 showed the highest level of enhanced connectivity among the differentially expressed proteins. These pathways improve the efficiency of crucial metabolism and lessen DNA repair. They may be a key mechanism for increasing the growth rate and acid production of Lactobacillus Plantarum by pulsed light.

Stevia rebaudiana leaves fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum exhibit resistance to microorganisms and cancer cell lines in vitro: A potential sausage preservative

Natural preservatives are causing a rethinking of current preservation means. As a sweetener resource, exploitation of Stevia rebaudiana leaves (SRLs) is still restricted due to human conventional cognition. Herein, Lactobacillus plantarum fermented SRLs containing diverse free secondary metabolites derived from microbial deglycosylation and bioenzymatic decomposition were investigated. The apparent resistance to typical foodborne bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomoas aeruginosa, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) by fermented SRLs and their extracts were validated. The metabolite diversity and in-depth organic solvent extraction gave the possibilities for better antimicrobial actions, anti-HepG2/SGC-7901 cells in vitro in contrast with aqueous extract of unfermented SRLs. Crucially, compound identification and attribution revealed that fermentation products may be maximally contributing to antimicrobial and antitumor mechanisms rather than intrinsic plant and/or microbial components. Additionally, pork sausage models with 15 g/kg ethyl acetate extract as a preservative candidate presented preferred storage characteristics (21 days and 37 °C) compared to those without ethyl acetate extract, e.g. the minimal total plate count (3.86 ± 0.27 log CFU/g), peroxsignide value (8.02 ± 0.92 meq/kg), and acid value (2.01 ± 0.04 (KOH)/(mg/g)).

Effects of Bacillus subtilis as a single strain probiotic on growth, disease resistance and immune response of striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

The present study investigated the potential role of Bacillus subtilis as probiotic in striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus). Fish (initial weight = 150.00±2.63g n = 180) were stocked in circular tanks. Four isonitrogenous (30%) and isolipidic (3.29%) diets were formulated having supplementation of B. subtilis at four different levels (P0; 0, P1: 1×106, P2: 1×108 and P3: 1×1010 CFU/g). Each treatment had three replicates, while each replicate had fifteen fish. The trial started on second week of July and continued for eight weeks. Growth, feed conversion ratio, crude protein content, the concentration of amylase and protease, the profile of both dispensable and non-dispensable amino acids in all four dietary groups increased with a gradual increase of B. subtilis in the diet. At the end of growth experiment, fish in all four groups were exposed to Staphylococcus aureus (5×105 CFU/ml). After S. aureus challenge, fish fed with B. subtilis responded better to damage caused by reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation and better survival rate. The catalase and superoxide dismutase level also increased in response to bacterial challenge in B. subtilis fed groups. On the other hand, the concentration of malondialdehyde gradually decreased in these groups (+ve P0 >P1>P2>P3). It is concluded that supplementation of B. subtilis as a probiotic improved the growth, protein content, antioxidant response and immunocompetency against S. aureus in striped catfish. The optimum dosage of B. subtilis, at a concentration of 1×1010 CFU/g, resulted in the most favorable outcomes in striped catfish. This single bacterial strain can be used as an effective probiotic in large scale production of aquafeed for striped catfish. Future studies can investigate this probiotic's impact in the intensive culture of the same species.

Integrated gut microbiome and metabolome analysis reveals the inhibition effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CBT against colorectal cancer

The microecological stability of the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in both preventing and treating colorectal cancer (CRC). This study investigated whether Lactobacillus plantarum CBT (LP-CBT) prevents CRC by inducing alterations in the gut microbiota composition and associated metabolites. The results showed that LP-CBT inhibited colorectal tumorigenesis in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-treated mice by repairing the intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, LP-CBT decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, LP-CBT remodeled intestinal homeostasis by increasing probiotics (Coprococcus, Mucispirillum, and Lactobacillus) and reducing harmful bacteria (Dorea, Shigella, Alistipes, Paraprevotella, Bacteroides, Sutterella, Turicibacter, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Allobaculum), significantly influencing arginine biosynthesis. Therefore, LP-CBT treatment regulated invertases and metabolites associated with the arginine pathway (carbamoyl phosphate, carboxymethyl proline, L-lysine, 10,11-epoxy-3-geranylgeranylindole, n-(6)-[(indol-3-yl)acetyl]-L-lysine, citrulline, N2-succinyl-L-ornithine, and (5-L-glutamyl)-L-glutamate). Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of LP-CBT on colorectal cancer was further confirmed using the MC38 subcutaneous tumor model. Collectively, these findings offer compelling evidence supporting the potential of LP-CBT as a viable preventive strategy against CRC.

Safety Assessment and Probiotic Potential Comparison of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BLI-02, Lactobacillus plantarum LPL28, Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA06, and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BLI-02, Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66, Lactobacillus plantarum LPL28, and Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA06, isolated from healthy breast milk, miso, and the healthy human gut, were assessed for safety in this study. BLI-02, LPL28, TYCA06, and ET-66 exhibited no antibiotic resistance and mutagenic activity in the Ames test at the highest dosage (5000 μg/plate). No genotoxicity was observed in micronucleus and chromosomal aberration assays in rodent spermatogonia at the maximum dosage of 10 g/kg body weight (BW). No acute and sub-chronic toxicity occurred in mice and rats at the maximum tested dosage of 10 g/kg BW and 1.5 g/kg BW, respectively. The lyophilized powder of these strains survived a low pH and high bile salt environment, adhering strongly to Caco-2 cells. Unique antimicrobial activities were noted in these strains, with BLI-02 demonstrating the best growth inhibition against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, LPL28 exhibiting the best growth inhibition against Helicobacter pylori, and ET-66 showing the best growth inhibition against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Based on the present study, the lyophilized powder of these four strains appears to be a safe probiotic supplement at tested dosages. It should be applicable for clinical or healthcare applications.

Biosynthesis of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Fermented Food Production

In recent decades, given the important role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human health, scientists have paid great attention to the enrichment of this chemical compound in food using various methods, including microbial fermentation. Moreover, GABA or GABA-rich products have been successfully commercialized as food additives or functional dietary supplements. Several microorganisms can produce GABA, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Among GABA-producing microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used in the production of many fermented foods. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) is a LAB species that has a long history of natural occurrence and safe use in a wide variety of fermented foods and beverages. Within this species, some strains possess not only good pro-technological properties but also the ability to produce various bioactive compounds, including GABA. The present review aims, after a preliminary excursus on the function and biosynthesis of GABA, to provide an overview of the current uses of microorganisms and, in particular, of L. plantarum in the production of GABA, with a detailed focus on fermented foods. The results of the studies reported in this review highlight that the selection of new probiotic strains of L. plantarum with the ability to synthesize GABA may offer concrete opportunities for the design of new functional foods.

The Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) State, a Poorly Explored Aspect of Beneficial Bacteria

Many bacteria have the ability to survive in challenging environments; however, they cannot all grow on standard culture media, a phenomenon known as the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state. Bacteria commonly enter the VBNC state under nutrient-poor environments or under stressful conditions. This review explores the concept of the VBNC state, providing insights into the beneficial bacteria known to employ this strategy. The investigation covers different chemical and physical factors that can induce the latency state, cell features, and gene expression observed in cells in the VBNC state. The review also covers the significance and applications of beneficial bacteria, methods of evaluating bacterial viability, the ability of bacteria to persist in environments associated with higher organisms, and the factors that facilitate the return to the culturable state. Knowledge about beneficial bacteria capable of entering the VBNC state remains limited; however, beneficial bacteria in this state could face adverse environmental conditions and return to a culturable state when the conditions become suitable and continue to exert their beneficial effects. Likewise, this unique feature positions them as potential candidates for healthcare applications, such as the use of probiotic bacteria to enhance human health, applications in industrial microbiology for the production of prebiotics and functional foods, and in the beer and wine industry. Moreover, their use in formulations to increase crop yields and for bacterial bioremediation offers an alternative pathway to harness their beneficial attributes.

Strain-specific metabolomic diversity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The chemotaxonomic diversity of 20 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains was investigated using non-targeted metabolite profiling under different culture conditions. Multivariate and metabolic pathway analyses based on GC-MS and LC-MS/MS datasets showed that amino acid metabolism, especially 2-hydroxy acids, was enriched under aerobic conditions (AE), whereas fatty acid & sugar metabolism was increased under anaerobic conditions (AN). Based on the metabolite profiles, L. plantarum strains were clustered into three main groups (A, B, and C). Overall, 79 and 83 significantly discriminant metabolites were characterized as chemical markers of AE and AN growth conditions, respectively. Notably, alcohols were more abundant in group A whereas amino acids, peptides, purines, and pyrimidines were significantly higher in group C. 2-hydroxy acids and oxylipins biosynthesized through amino acid and fatty acid metabolism, respectively, were more abundant in groups A and B. Furthermore, we observed a strong correlation between the chemical diversity of L. plantarum groups and their antioxidant activity from metabolite extracts. We propose a non-targeted metabolomic workflow to comprehensively characterize the chemodiversity of L. plantarum strain under different culture conditions, which may help reveal specific biomarkers of individual strains depending on the culture conditions.

Lactiplantibacillus brownii sp. nov., a novel psychrotolerant species isolated from sauerkraut

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic and homofermentative strain, named WILCCON 0030T, was isolated from sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) collected from a local market in the Moscow region of Russia. Comparative analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and whole genome relatedness indicated that strain WILCCON 0030T was most closely related to the type strains Lactiplantibacillus nangangensis NCIMB 15186T, Lactiplantibacillus daoliensis LMG 31171T and Lactiplantibacillus pingfangensis LMG 31176T. However, the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization prediction values with these closest relatives only ranged from 84.6 to 84.9 % and from 24.1 to 24.7 %, respectively, and were below the 95.0 and 70.0% thresholds for species delineation. Substantiated by further physiological and biochemical analyses, strain WILCCON 0030T represents a novel species within the genus Lactiplantibacillus for which we propose the name Lactiplantibacillus brownii sp. nov. (type strain WILCCON 0030T=DSM 116485T=LMG 33211T).

Gut microbial signatures are associated with Lynch syndrome (LS) and cancer history in Druze communities in Israel

Lynch syndrome (LS) is a hereditary cancer syndrome caused by autosomal dominant mutations, with high probability of early onset for several cancers, mainly colorectal cancer (CRC). The gut microbiome was shown to be influenced by host genetics and to be altered during cancer development. Therefore, we aimed to determine alterations in gut microbiome compositions of LS patients with and without cancer. We performed fecal microbiome analyses on samples of LS and non-LS members from the Druze ethnoreligious community in Israel, based on both their LS mutation and their cancer history. Our analysis revealed specific bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) overrepresented in LS individuals as well as bacterial OTUs differentiating between the LS individuals with a history of cancer. The identified OTUs align with previous studies either correlating them to pro-inflammatory functions, which can predispose to cancer, or to the cancer itself, and as such, these bacteria can be considered as future therapeutic targets.

Multi-omics analysis reveals the molecular regulatory network underlying the prevention of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum against LPS-induced salpingitis in laying hens

BACKGROUND

Salpingitis is one of the common diseases in laying hen production, which greatly decreases the economic outcome of laying hen farming. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was effective in preventing local or systemic inflammation, however rare studies were reported on its prevention against salpingitis. This study aimed to investigate the preventive molecular regulatory network of microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (MLP) against salpingitis through multi-omics analysis, including microbiome, transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

RESULTS

The results revealed that supplementation of MLP in diet significantly alleviated the inflammation and atrophy of uterus caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in hens (P < 0.05). The concentrations of plasma IL-2 and IL-10 in hens of MLP-LPS group were higher than those in hens of LPS-stimulation group (CN-LPS group) (P < 0.05). The expression levels of TLR2, MYD88, NF-κB, COX2, and TNF-α were significantly decreased in the hens fed diet supplemented with MLP and suffered with LPS stimulation (MLP-LPS group) compared with those in the hens of CN-LPS group (P < 0.05). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by  MLP were involved in inflammation, reproduction, and calcium ion transport. At the genus level, the MLP supplementation significantly increased  the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium, whereas decreased the abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas in LPS challenged hens (P < 0.05). The metabolites altered by dietary supplementation with MLP were mainly involved in galactose, uronic acid, histidine, pyruvate and primary bile acid metabolism. Dietary supplementation with MLP inversely regulates LPS-induced differential metabolites such as LysoPA (24:0/0:0) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum prevented salpingitis by modulating the abundances of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Phascolarctobacterium, Ruminococcus_torques_group and Eubacterium_hallii_group while downregulating the levels of plasma metabolites, p-tolyl sulfate, o-cresol and N-acetylhistamine and upregulating S-lactoylglutathione, simultaneously increasing the expressions of CPNE4, CNTN3 and ACAN genes in the uterus, and ultimately inhibiting oviducal inflammation.

Gut Lactobacillus contribute to the progression of breast cancer by affecting the anti-tumor activities of immune cells in the TME of tumor-bearing mice

Studies have proven that gut microbiota dysbiosis may influence the carcinogenesis and outcomes of multiple cancers. However, it is still unclear whether gut microbiota dysbiosis affect the progression of breast cancer, especially triple-negative breast cancer. In the present study, by using gut microbiota dysbiosis murine model established by treatment of mice with streptomycin, we found Lactobacillus and the metabolite-lactic acid are the pivotal factors for 4T1 tumor progression. In fact, streptomycin-treated mice exhibited slower tumor growth, in parallel with less abundance of Lactobacillus in the gut. Supplementation with Lactobacillus resulted in a rapid tumor growth, following a decrease in the expression of mRNAs for anti-tumor-related factors but an increase in the M2 polarization. The elevated percentages of IFN-γ-producing CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in the tumor microenvironment of streptomycin-treated tumor-bearing mice may be vanished by supplementation of Lactobacillus. It seems likely that lactobacillus-mediated pro-tumor effect is related to the production of lactic acid. A decrease in the levels of lactic acid in the cecal feces and tumor tissues were observed in streptomycin-treated tumor bearing mice. However, supplementation of Lactobacillus can restore streptomycin-reduced concentration of lactic acid in the tumor tissues, suggesting that gut Lactobacillus are the source of lactic acid. Bioinformatics analysis result suggests high concentration of lactic acid in tumor sites may be related to the diminished anti-tumor immunity in the TME. This study reveals a correlation between gut Lactobacillus and tumor progression in a murine 4T1 tumor model, providing experimental evidence for clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum from Unexplored Tunisian Ecological Niches: Antimicrobial Potential, Probiotic and Food Applications

The continued exploration of the diversity of lactic acid bacteria in little-studied ecological niches represents a fundamental activity to understand the diffusion and biotechnological significance of this heterogeneous class of prokaryotes. In this study, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains were isolated from Tunisian vegetable sources, including fermented olive and fermented pepper, and from dead locust intestines, which were subsequently evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157:H7 CECT 4267 and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4031, as well as against some fungi, including Penicillium expansum, Aspergilus niger, and Botrytis cinerea. In addition, their resistance to oro-gastro-intestinal transit, aggregation capabilities, biofilm production capacity, adhesion to human enterocyte-like cells, and cytotoxicity to colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line were determined. Further, adhesion to tomatoes and the biocontrol potential of this model food matrix were analyzed. It was found that all the strains were able to inhibit the indicator growth, mostly through organic acid production. Furthermore, these strains showed promising probiotic traits, including in vitro tolerance to oro-gastrointestinal conditions, and adhesion to abiotic surfaces and Caco-2 cells. Moreover, all tested Lpb. plantarum strains were able to adhere to tomatoes with similar rates (4.0-6.0 LogCFU/g tomato). The co-culture of LAB strains with pathogens on tomatoes showed that Lpb. plantarum could be a good candidate to control pathogen growth. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to guarantee their use as probiotic strains for biocontrol on food matrices.

Antimicrobial Properties, Functional Characterisation and Application of Fructobacillus fructosus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Isolated from Artisanal Honey

Honey is a valuable reservoir of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and, particularly, of fructophilic LAB (FLAB), a relatively novel subgroup of LAB whose functional potential for human and food application has yet to be explored. In this study, FLAB and LAB strains have been isolated from honeys of different floral origins and selected for their broad antimicrobial activity against typical foodborne pathogenic bacteria and spoilage filamentous fungi. The best candidates, two strains belonging to the species Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Fructobacillus fructosus, were submitted to partial characterisation of their cell free supernatants (CFS) in order to identify the secreted metabolites with antimicrobial activity. Besides, these strains were examined to assess some major functional features, including in vitro tolerance to the oro-gastrointestinal conditions, potential cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells, adhesion to human enterocyte-like cells and capability to stimulate macrophages. Moreover, when the tested strains were applied on table grapes artificially contaminated with pathogenic bacteria or filamentous fungi, they showed a good ability to antagonise the growth of undesired microbes, as well as to survive on the fruit surface at a concentration that is recommended to develop a probiotic effect. In conclusion, both LAB and FLAB honey-isolated strains characterised in this work exhibit functional properties that validate their potential use as biocontrol agents and for the design of novel functional foods. We reported antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic evaluation, probiotic properties and direct food application of a F. fructosus strain, improving the knowledge of this species, in particular, and on FLAB, more generally.