• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1904-1915
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• 2019

Resistant starch (RS) is metabolized by gut microbiota and involved in the production of short-chain fatty acids, which are related to a variety of physiological and health effects. Therefore, the availability of RS as a prebiotic is a topic of interest, and research on gut bacteria that can decompose RS is also important. The objectives in this study were 1) to isolate a human gut bacterium having strong degradation activity on non-gelatinized RS, 2) to characterize its RS-degrading characteristics, and 3) to investigate its probiotic effects, including a growth stimulation effect on other gut bacteria and an immunomodulatory effect. Bifidobacterium adolescentis P2P3 showing very strong RS granule utilization activity was isolated. It can attach to RS granules and form them into clusters. It also utilizes high-amylose corn starch granules up to 63.3%, and efficiently decomposes other various types of commercial RS without gelatinization. In a coculture experiment, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29148, isolated from human feces, was able to grow using carbon sources generated from RS granules by B. adolescentis P2P3. In addition, B. adolescentis P2P3 demonstrated the ability to stimulate secretion of Th1 type cytokines from mouse macrophages in vitro that was not shown in other B. adolescentis. These results suggested that B. adolescentis P2P3 is a useful probiotic candidate, having immunomodulatory activity as well as the ability to feed other gut bacteria using RS as a prebiotic.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2017

Probiotic principles can be applied in aquaculture for the purpose of growth and immunity stimulation, disease prevention and eventually better production performance. This study was to assess effects of combinations of microbes containing two Bacillus sp., plus one Lactobacillus sp. as the basal preparation (BSL-LAB), and additional Nitrosomonas sp. (nitrifying bacteria consortium, NBS) in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). The effects examined were growth parameters, hematologic parameters, innate immunity and pathogen challenge test. Fish were assigned to 4 treatments as Control (no probiotics), Group A (Bacillius and Lactobacillus to culture water), Group B (Bacillius and Lactobacillus both in water and feed), Group C (same as Group B with additional Nitrosomonas in feed). Fish were allocated to the above 4 groups, each group being composed of triplicate 30 fish, for a 7-week feeding in the laboratory. Positive effects were observed both in growth and pathogen sensitivity with all three probiotic combinations. Such effects were attributed to improved innate immune functions. This result indicates that the tested probiotic microbes are beneficial to olive flounder aquaculture.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1194-1200
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• 2012

Lactic acid bacteria are generally recognized as beneficial probiotic organisms. Recent studies revealed that the potential of probiotic strains was essentially dependent on the bacterial-binding and adhesion capabilities to gut epithelial cells and the hydrophobicity of the cell surface. In this study, we screened some indigenous lactic acid bacteria from Kimchi and selected one lactic acid bacterium as a potential probiotic based on its cell surface hydrophobicity. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of probiotic isolates indicated that the selected isolate (BCNU 9070 strain) was a member of Pediococcus pentosaceus. P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 showed resistance to bile acids and acidic pH. The P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain also inhibited the cell growth of six food-borne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella sonnei. In addition, the P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain expressed bile salt hydrolase activity and showed an ability to assimilate cholesterol in vitro. On the basis of these results, P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 is considered to have probiotic potential for applications in functional foodstuffs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.877-884
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• 2022

Probiotics are microorganisms that can benefit host health when ingested in a live state, and lactic acid bacteria are the most common type. Among fungi, Saccharomyces boulardii (SB) is the only strain known to have a probiotic function with beneficial effects on colitis; however, information on other probiotic yeast strains is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to discover yeast strains expressing intestinal anti-inflammatory activities by exhibiting probiotic properties in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice model. Nuruk (Korean traditional fermentation starter) containing various microbial strains was used as a source for yeast strains, and S. cerevisiae 28-7 (SC28-7) strain was selected with in vitro and in vivo characteristics to enable survival in the intestines. After 14 days of pretreatment with the yeast strains, DSS was co-administered for six days to induce colitis in mice. The results revealed that the disease activity index score was lowered by SC28-7 treatment compared to the DSS group, and the colon length and weight/length ratio were recovered in a pattern similar to that of the normal group. SC28-7 administration significantly reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and modified the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, transforming growth factor-β, and interferon-γ) and proteins involved in gut barrier functions (mucin 2, mucin 3, zonula occludens-1, and occludin) in colon tissues. These results indicate that SC28-7 attenuates DSS-induced colon damage and inflammation, supporting its future use as a probiotic yeast for treating and preventing intestinal inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.883-898
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Probiotics have been suggested as potent modulators of age-related disorders in immunological functions, yet little is known about sex-dependent effects of probiotic supplements. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-dependent effects of probiotics on profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, healthy elderly individuals ≥ 65 yrs old were administered probiotic capsules (or placebo) for 12 wk. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Peripheral immune cells were profiled using flow cytometry for lymphocytes (natural killer, B, CD4⁺ T, and CD8⁺ T cells), dendritic cells, monocytes, and their subpopulations. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, phylum Firmicutes was significantly reduced in the probiotic group in women, but not in men. At the genus level, sex-specific responses included reductions in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory gut microbes, including Catabacter and unclassified_Coriobacteriales, and Burkholderia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, in men and women, respectively. Peripheral immune cell profiling analysis revealed that in men, probiotics significantly reduced the proportions of dendritic cells and CD14⁺ CD16^- monocytes; however, these effects were not observed in women. In contrast, the proportion of total CD4⁺ T cells was significantly reduced in women in the probiotic group. Additionally, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein levels showed a decreasing tendency that were positively associated with changes in gut bacteria, including Catabacter (ρ = 0.678, P < 0.05) and Burkholderia (ρ = 0.673, P < 0.05) in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that probiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related diseases by regulating the profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy elders in a sex-specific manner.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.547-550
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• 2005

Fourteen out of 87 strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated tram Kimchi were found to be resistant against the action of artificial gastric and bile juices. In particular, lactobacilli KM 3, 7, 28, and 37 showed strong resistance and their viable cell counts at the initial stage remained the same even after 3 hours of cultivation in an artificial gastric juice. However, the survival rates of KM 14, 28, and 64 were found to be significantly enhanced in artificial bile juice. Based on the paper disc method, it was evident that isolated lactic acid bacteria showed antibacterial effect against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Salmonella typhimurium. The isolated lactic acid bacteria were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.1286-1289
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• 2008

The ability of Lactococcus strains to inhibit the growth of intestinal bacteria was examined. In in vitro cocultures, we observed that among eighteen Lactococcus strains tested, the ability to inhibit growth of Escherichia coli varied, with the L. lactis N7 showing the greatest growth inhibition. Strain N7 ($8.94\times10^{10}$ CFU/day for 7 days) was orally administered to mice, and the viable count of strain N7 in feces appeared at a level of $10^{4-5}$ CFU/g. After administration, the proportion of Bacteroidaceae to total intestinal bacteria decreased. Lactococci may act as probiotic bacteria by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9909-9913
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• 2014

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) remains an important cause of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer disease worldwide. Treatment of H. pylori infection is one of the effective ways to prevent gastric cancer. However, standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication is no longer effective in many countries, including Thailand. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of adding bismuth and probiotic to standard triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. Materials and Methods: In this prospective single center study, H. pylori infected gastritis patients were randomized to receive 7- or 14-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth with probiotic or placebo. Treatment regimen consisted of 30 mg lansoprazole twice daily, 1 g amoxicillin twice daily, 1 g clarithromycin MR once daily and 1,048mg bismuth subsalicylate twice daily. Probiotic bacteria composed of Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus paracasei. Placebo was conventional drinking yogurt without probiotic. CYP2C19 genotyping and antibiotic susceptibility tests were also done. H pylori eradication was defined as a negative $^{13}C$-urea breath test at least 2 weeks after completion of treatment. Results: One hundred subjects were enrolled (25 each to 7- and 14-day regimens with probiotic or placebo). Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed 36.7% metronidazole and 1.1% clarithromycin resistance. CYP2C19 genotyping revealed 40.8%, 49% and 10.2% were rapid, intermediate and poor metabolizers, respectively. The eradication rates of 7- or 14 regimens with probiotics were 100%. Regarding adverse events, the incidence of bitter taste was significantly lower in the 7- day regimen with the probiotic group compared with 7- day regimen with placebo (40% vs. 64%; p=0.04). Conclusions: The 7-day standard triple therapy plus bismuth and probiotic can provide an excellent cure rate of H. pylori (100%) in areas with low clarithromycin resistance such as Thailand, regardless of CYP2C19 genotype. Adding a probiotic also reduced treatment-related adverse events.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.9-25
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• 2023

Yogurt fermentation is known to be beneficial because it provides a low pH and harsh environment for foodborne pathogens and improves organoleptic properties. Additionally, organic acids produced through fermentation have a good effect on the viscosity and gelling properties of yogurt. Several potential health benefits of probiotic and generally recognized as safe strains have been suggested. Yogurt is the preferred vehicle for delivering probiotics to health-conscious consumers. Therefore, manufacturers of probiotic beverages must comply with the relevant regulations. The development of probiotic yogurt begins with the selection of strains with safety and functional properties of probiotics. The selected probiotic strain should be technically suitable for viability and improve organoleptic quality while maintaining the number of bacteria above the standard value during processing and storage conditions. In addition, the efficacy of probiotic strains contained in yogurt should be investigated, confirmed, and approved according to well-designed clinical trials. Although various methods are used to detect probiotic strains, the recently widely used next generation sequencing method can be actively utilized. In the future, more research should be conducted with the latest methods to identify probiotic functions and accurately detect probiotic strains.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Applied Microbiology Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.133-133
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• 2004