Lysosubtilin modification, Fermosorb, designed for polymeric carrier-mediated intestinal delivery of lytic enzymes: pilot-scale preparation and evaluation of this veterinary medicinal product

Immobilization of Enzymes into a Polyionic Hydrogel: ChitoXan

Three enzymes were immobilized onto polyionic hydrogel, ChitoXan, obtained by complexation between chitosan and xanthan. The biocatalysts used were two proteases (protease type XIX from Fungal d’Aspergillus sojae and the trypsin type II.S from Porcine Pancreas) and a lipase (lipase Type VII from Candida rugosa). The immobilization efficiencies and the relative activities were investigated for these enzymes. The immobilization efficiencies changed with each enzyme and varied between 53 and 80%. Good relative activities were found for the lipase Type VII from Candida rugosa and the protease type XIX from Fungal d’Aspergillus sojae. For the latter, the influence of several factors were studied: molarity of the storage buffer, storage temperature and time of hydrogel, and the enzyme concentration. For the immobilized lipase, hydrolysis of olive oil in aqueous and organic media has been compared. This study confirmed that the lipase modified the external and internal structure of the hydrogel from fibrillar to the formation of globular structures in the presence of lipases.

Non-specific immunity-enhancing effects of tryptic casein hydrolysate versus Fermosorb for treatment/prophylaxis of newborn calf colibacillosis

The effects of treatment/prophylaxis of newborn calf colibacillosis with tryptic casein hydrolysate (TCH), recently shown to be a novel type of antimicrobial acting through stimulation of the microbial autolytic system, versus an authorized veterinary drug, Fermosorb, were evaluated. Both products showed similar high therapeutic and prophylactic efficacies, but hematological indices and daily weight gain of cured/protected animals were better with TCH. The differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, total protein, gamma-globulin and sulfhydryl group quantities, bactericidal and lysozyme activities as well as daily weight gain at the end of treatment/prophylaxis were statistically significant (P<0.05-0.000005). Statistically significant differences (P<0.05-0.0005) in favor of TCH were also observed when bactericidal activity, total protein quantity of serum as well as daily weight gain of the animals were compared on the 90th day after birth. We conclude that TCH acts not only as an antimicrobial, but also as an immunostimulant (and growth promoter). The immunostimulatory activity of TCH most probably derives from a synergistic action of bioactive peptides encrypted in the preparation itself and the cell wall fragments resulting from microbial autolysis induction.

Stimulation of microbial autolytic system by tryptic casein hydrolysate

Antimicrobial activity of a tryptic casein hydrolysate (TCH), its mode of antimicrobial action and its efficacy in treatment using a newborn calf colibacillosis model are described. The antimicrobial activity of TCH activated the autolytic system of the microbial cell and was expressed mathematically as the autolysis activation index. TCH stimulated the autolytic enzyme system of the 19 bacterial and five fungal strains tested. The autolysis activation index for naturally-autolyzing microorganisms was 1.45-22.0. Autolysis in three bacterial and one fungal strain that did not lyse in the absence of TCH was increased in its presence by 3.9-56.7% showing activation of latent autolysis. The in vivo trials on 800 newborn calves revealed 93.0% therapeutic and 93.5% prophylactic efficacy for TCH. These levels were similar to the 95.0 and 95.5% attained when Fermosorb, an authorized antimicrobial drug, was used.

Comparative antimicrobial activity of lysosubtilin and its acid-resistant derivative, Fermosorb

Comparative data are given on the in vitro activity of lysosubtilin against micro-organisms and its acid-resistant derivative, Fermosorb. The lytic activity Fermosorb against all micro-organisms tested was higher (in the range of 0.9-7.7 and 4.1-13.5% for bacteria and filamentous fungi/yeasts, respectively) than that achieved by the action of lytic enzymes present in lysosubtilin solution. All six lysosubtilin-resistant strains tested were Fermosorb-susceptible. Considering the increase in the incidence of antibiotic resistance antimicrobial enzymotherapy or enzymoprophylaxis by means of Fermosorb might be considered for the treatment of intestinal infections in animals.

Comparative studies on Polyferm and Fermosorb, two oral (ferment + sorbent) - type preparations designed for therapy/prophylaxis of intestinal infections in animal neonates

Polyferm and Fermosorb are oral acid resistant antimicrobial enzyme preparations designed specifically for therapy/prophylaxis of intestinal infections in animal neonates. Both are authorized for use throughout the former Soviet Union, but until now only Fermosorb is being applied on a large scale. The comparative studies on these two preparations, described in this paper, were carried out in order to find differences between the preparations. Characteristics that were compared included stability of the preparations in acidic environment as well as in storage (in vitro studies), and their efficacy for the treatment and prophylaxis of colibacillosis in newborn calves (in vivo studies). Results of in vitro studies revealed that proteolytic enzymes of Polyferm (as well as lytic enzymes of Fermosorb) were suitably (and in a very similar magnitude) protected from the influence of the acidic environment. The complete enzyme activity retention period in storage at room temperature of Polyferm and Fermosorb was equally high (5 years). In vivo studies performed on 2000 calves revealed that both preparations were highly effective and, although the efficacy of Polyferm was a bit lower than that of Fermosorb (93.6% vs. 95.0%, 94.6% vs. 95.8% for therapy and prophylaxis of colibacillosis, respectively), no statistically significant differences in the number of Polyferm vs. Fermosorb cured/protected animals were found. It is concluded that there were no reasons, other than the lack of supportive advertising materials, that might impede the utility of Polyferm.

Fabrication of oral acid resistant Fermosorb (Ferment + sorbent)-type preparations can be simplified using industrial Bacillus subtilis culture filtrates as an enzyme source

In our recent article [Biziulevicius, G.A. and Zukaite, V., 1999. Int. J. Pharm. 189, 43-55] we described a novel approach in design of oral preparations intented for intestinal delivery of enzymes, based on reversible immobilization of the latter onto the polymer matrix. Fermosorb (ferment + sorbent)-type preparations, produced in such a way, are characterized as two-component delayed-release enzyme formulations being stable at acidic pH and thus ensuring the protection of an active substance in the environment of the gastric region and liberating the active substance through dissociation of the enzyme-polymer complex at neutral pH values characteristic for the intestines. In the present paper we report our updated findings showing that the technology of fabrication of two Fermosorb-type preparations manufactured (namely Fermosorb and Polyferm) can be simplified (as well as their production cost reduced) substituting the acetone precipitated enzyme preparation solutions, currently used as an enzyme source, by their precursors--industrial Bacillus subtilis culture filtrates. Moreover, we give a description of how one more Fermosorb-type preparation aimed at intestinal delivery of amylolytic enzymes can be produced in a similar manner. Determination of immobilization conditions has revealed, that irrespectively of the enzyme origin (lytic, proteolytic or amylolytic) and its source (1%, acetone precipitated preparation solution or culture filtrate), optimal for immobilization v/w ratio of the liquid phase and the polymer matrix (Biocarb L) remains the same and is equal to 10:1 (approximate). The main differences have been found to be in optimal for immobilization pH values as well as process duration in regard to the two enzyme sources applied. In case of proteolytic and amylolytic enzymes only one of the variables was different (process duration for the first ones, optimal pH for the second ones), while in case of lytic enzymes both variables were different. The percentage of the enzymes activity uptaken from the reaction mixture formed by either of the enzyme sources and the polymer matrix (approximately 60%) as well as activity losses at drying the enzyme-polymer complexes ( approximately 20%), tolling in the final activity yield of near 40%, were found to be very similar.