• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of single or/and double strains of probiotic supplement on feed efficiency, growth performance, and microbial population in distal gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of weaning rabbits. Methods: Sixty-four weaning (28 days old) New Zealand White rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups with treatments including: basal diet without probiotic supplement (control) or supplemented as follows: $1{\times}10^6cfu/g$ B. subtilis (BS group), $1{\times}10^7cfu/g$ L. acidophilus (LA group), or $0.5{\times}10^6cfu/g$ B. subtilis plus $0.5{\times}10^7cfu/g$ L. acidophilus (BL group). During the research, the male and female rabbits were fed separately. Body weight of the rabbits was recorded at 28, 42, and 70 d of age. Results: There was an increase (p<0.05) in body weight gain for the LA group at 42 d. Rabbits fed BL responsed with a greater growth (p<0.05) and better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) than those fed with no probiotic. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy were higher (p<0.05) in LA and BL groups than those in the control group. Male rabbits had higher (p<0.05) Bacilli spp. and Coliformis spp. in the ileum than female rabbits. Rabbits supplemented with BS had greater (p<0.05) numbers of bacilli in all intestinal segments than those receiving no probiotic, whereas intestinal Lactobacilli populations were greater (p<0.001) in the LA and BL diets compared to control. Average intestinal coliform populations were lowest (p<0.05) in the rabbits supplemented with LA as compared to those fed the control and BS. Conclusion: Supplementation of L. acidophilus alone or in combination with B. subtilis at a half of dose could enhance number of gut beneficial bacteria populations, nutrient digestibility, cecal fermentation, feed efficiency, and growth performance, but rabbits receiving only B. subtilis alone were not different from the controls without probiotic.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 1994

Indolo[3,2-b]carbazole(ICZ) is a potent Ah receptor agonist with biological activities similar in several respects to those of the potent environmental toxin, TCDD. ICZ is produced during the oilgomerization of indole-3-carbinol(I3C), a breakdown product of the glucobrassicin present in food plants of the Brassica genus. In the present study we examined ICZ levels in tissues and excreta of rats treated with I3C or dietary cabbage of established glucobrasicin content, and in feces of conventional and germfree rats fed on a basal diet, and of humans. We also examined the levels of cytochrome P4501A1 induction, as determined by the ethoxyresorufin ο-deethylase assay, in tissues of animals that received cabbage-supplemented diets, or which were treated with purified I3C or ICZ. Our findings indicated that incorporation of either homogenized or whole freeze-dried cabbage in the feed led to large increases(16-60 fold) in the levels of ICZ in the feces and lower gastrointestinal tract of rats. We observed that whereas ICZ is readily detectable at about the same levels(2.00$\pm$0.50 ppb) in the feces of conventional rats fed on a purified diet and in human feces, levels of ICZ in the feces of germfree animals fed on the basal diet were at the limits of detection(0.40$\pm$0.20 ppb), indication that gut bacteria are important for the production of ICZ from essential dietary constituents in the basal diet. We showed that in contrast to the near 7000-fold difference in CYP1A1 inducing potencies of ICZ and TCDD in cells in culture, their inducing potencies differ by only about an order of magnitude in rats. Nonetheless, the levels of ICZ remaining in livers twenty hours after I3C treatment appear too low to account for the induced activity. This result indicates that ICZ may be rapidly cleared from the liver or that substances other than, or in addition to, ICZ be responsible for the enzyme-inducing activity of orally administered I3C or its precursors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.830-835
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• 2004

An experiment of 10 weeks duration was carried out to study the influence of supplemental effective microorganism (EM) culture, yeast culture and enzymes on nutrient digestibility and gut microflora in rabbit gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Twenty four eight to nine weeks old, New Zealand White rabbits were allotted to four dietary treatments; a basal (control) feed, basal feed supplemented with either EM (1%), yeast culture or enzymes (400 ppm). Nutrient flow in digesta and their digestibility at ileum, caecum, colon and in the total tract as well as gut microflora distribution were studied. Feed dry matter was diluted from 92% to about 14% up to the ileum and about 95% of this water was reabsorbed by the colonic rectal segment followed by caecum (25%). EM and yeast improved protein digestibility at a lower rate than enzymes. Ileal, caecal, colonic and total tract digestibility of crude protein with enzymes were higher by 10.8, 9.4, 11.3 and 10.7%, respectively, as compared to the control. Yeast and enzymes increased crude fiber digestibility at ileum, caecum, colon and in the total tract by 8.5, 9.6, 9.0 and 8.3%, respectively, while EM improved them at a lower rate. Irrespective of treatments, total tract digestibility of crude protein (0.698-0.773) and fiber (0.169-0.183) were greater (p<0.05) than the ileal digestibility. Even though a post-caecal protein digestibility was observed, fiber digestion seemed to be completed in the caecum especially with yeast and enzymes. High precaecal digestibility of crude fiber (97%) and protein (95%) were observed even without additives probably due to caecotrophy. EM and yeast culture promoted the growth of lactic acid bacteria especially in the caecum but they did not influence gut yeast and mould. Present findings reveal that even though rabbits digest nutrients efficiently through hind gut fermentation, they can be further enhanced by EM, yeast and enzymes. Of the three additives tested, enzymes found to be the best.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.411-416
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• 1999

Ninety-six, 35 day old, crossbred pigs, were fed either a basal diet based on com, soybean meal, fish meal and whey or one of three similar diets supplemented with either 0.5% organic acid or enzyme both alone and in combination. Neither organic acid nor enzyme produced any significant (p<0.05) improvements in daily gain or feed conversion. Organic acid, both alone and in combination with enzyme, significantly (p=0.04) decreased the pH in the lower colon. None of the treatments produced any effects on E. Coli or Lactobacillus numbers in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Feeding enzyme increased trypsin (p=0.01), chymotrypsin (p=0.03) and amylase (p=0.08) levels in the jejunum. Chymotrypsin levels were higher (p=0.04) in the ileum of pigs fed enzyme. Serum glucose levels were lower (p=0.01) on day 14 in pigs fed enzyme either alone or in combination with acid. Under the conditions of this experiment (10% dietary whey, pigs weaned at 35 days of age), neither organic acid nor enzyme were effective in improving starter pig performance. Therefore, there would appear to be little justification for the routine inclusion of these products in diets fed to pigs weaned at 35 days or later.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1729-1738
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• 2019

In sourdough fermentation, lactic acid bacteria perform important roles in the production of volatile and antimicrobial compounds, and exerting health-promoting effects. In this study, we report the probiotic properties and baking characteristics of Lactobacillus plantarum SPC-SNU 72-2 isolated from kimchi. This strain is safe to use in food fermentation as it does not carry genes for biogenic amine production (i.e., hdc, tdc, and ldc) and shows no β-hemolytic activity against red blood cells. The strain is also stable under simulated human gastrointestinal conditions, showing tolerance to gastric acid and bile salt, and adheres well to colonic epithelial cells. Additionally, this strain prevents pathogen growth and activates mouse peritoneal macrophages by inducing cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. Furthermore, the strain possesses good baking properties, providing rich aroma during dough fermentation and contributing to the enhancement of bread texture. Taken together, L. plantarum SPC-SNU 72-2 has the properties of a good starter strain based on the observation that it improves bread flavor and texture while also providing probiotic effects comparable with commercial strains.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2020

Parvimonas micra is a non-spore-forming anaerobic gram-positive coccus and a known commensal of the skin, gums, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. It is rarely associated with severe infections, which typically follow invasive procedures such as dental treatment. We describe a case of a brain abscess caused by P. micra in an immunocompetent 11-year-old boy without periodontal disease. He presented with a 7-day history of headaches and vomiting, and complained of diplopia that began on the day of presentation. He did not have any recent dental treatment or specific past medical history. A brain abscess in the left frontoparietal lobe was noted on brain magnetic resonance imaging. P. micra was cultured from brain abscess aspirate. He was successfully treated with surgical drainage and combined antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and metronidazole for 6 weeks.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2005

Lactic acid bacteria had been widely utilized in fermented foods such as fermented dairy products, traditional sauces, kimchi, fermented sausages, medicines or probiotic feed additives for a long time. LAB are also widely distributed in the mammalian gastrointestinal tracts, oral cavity, vagina, and various foods or soils. The most familiar examples of using LAB would be the fermented milk products, and those had become one of the favorite foods in Korea f3r more than 34 years of history. The main benefits of the fermented milk products were originally the improvement of the balance of intestinal flora to control diarrhea and congestion disorders, and gradually, they were chosen by the consumer preference of the taste. The very beginning of the fermented milk products in Korea was the Yakult type products in 1971, and it was the commencement of the solid foundation of the dairy industry and the understanding beneficial effect of probiotic yogurt. After middle of 80's, stirred type fermented milk products had been firstly produced, and it was the time that the domestic dairy industry took root in Korea. From 90's, functional fermented milk products were produced, and drink type yogurt sales a mount increased drastically, and these products began to be chosen not only with the values of nutrition but also with physiological functions. The health claims are classified into intestinal health, gastric health and hepatic health. The prospects for the Korean market are as follows; The majority of leading products would be the premium functional yogurt products as it was last year. It is because the sales of lower cost products shows slow-down, and industries tend to increase the commercial advertisements of premium functional yogurt products through mass media. These tendencies would make the market situation become more competitive.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.739-745
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• 2010

The objective of the current study was to compare the abilities of undigested and enzymatically digested bifidobacteria to induce nitric oxide and cytokine release in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Nine different Bifidobacterium strains derived from herbivorous animals were digested with pepsin and then pancreatin, and the precipitates and supernatants were acquired via centrifugation. The RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with whole cells, the precipitate, or the supernatant, and the macrophage culture supernatants were analyzed with respect to the induction of nitric oxide and cytokines. Pronounced increases in the production of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) were observed when cultured with whole cells and the precipitates. It is noteworthy that the precipitates in most of the Bifidobacterium strains evidenced a trend toward superior IL-12 release compared with whole cells. The results showed that both whole cells and digested Bifidobacterium sp. are effective at stimulating RAW 264.7 cells to induce the production of nitric oxide and cytokines. The pepsin-pancreatin system used in the current study may be useful in unraveling the mechanism by which ingested lactic acid bacteria modulate the induction of macrophage mediators at the cellular level.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Presence of Helicobacter pylori is associated with an increased risk of developing upper gastrointestinal tract diseases. Antibiotic therapy and a combination of two or three drugs have been widely used to eradicate H. pylori infections. Due to antibiotic resistant drugs, new drug resources are needed such as plants which contain antibacterial compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of GutGard$^{TM}$ to inhibit H. pylori growth both in Mongolian gerbils and C57BL/6 mouse models. Male Mongolian gerbils were infected with the bacteria by intragastric inoculation ($2{\times}10^9$ CFU/gerbil) 3 times over 5 days and then orally treated once daily 6 times/week for 8 weeks with 15, 30 and 60 mg/kg GutGard$^{TM}$. After the final administration, biopsy samples of the gastric mucosa were assayed for bacterial identification via urease, catalase and ELISA assays as well as immunohistochemistry (IHC). In the Mongolian gerbil model, IHC and ELISA assays revealed that GutGard$^{TM}$ inhibited H. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa in a dose dependent manner. The anti-H. pylori effects of GutGard$^{TM}$ in H. pylori-infected C57BL/6 mice were also examined. We found that treatment with 25 mg/kg GutGard$^{TM}$ significantly reduced H. pylori colonization in mice gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that GutGard$^{TM}$ may be useful as an agent to prevent H. pylori infection.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.252-255
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary mulberry leaf on the intestinal microflora in rats. Rats were fed each experimental diets containing 1%, 10% of mulberry leaf powder for 4 weeks. Total viable counts and the numbers of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, E. coli and Staphylococcus were determined by nonselective media and various selective media. A decrease in the intestinal population of Clostridium was shown in dietary mulberry leaf group. The E. coli and Staphylococcus populations decreased in dietary mulberry leaf group compared with control group. Methanol extract and fractions of mulberry leaf were subjected to an in vitro screening test for their growth-inhibitory activity. Methanol extract and Water fraction of Mulberry leaves showed weak growth-inhibition of Clostridium perfringens. These results indicate that the composition of gastrointestinal microflora was improved by treatment of mulberry leaves in SD rats and was very effective for growth inhibition of the intestinal harmful bacteria in intestine. Therefore, the mulberry leaves as a newly bio-material can be a useful material for physiologically functional food.