Abstract:

Date: 30-01-2012

Aim: To develop an optimal synbiotic mix using multiple probiotics and probiotics. Methods: In vitro screening of probiotic strains were done based on prebiotic utilization and robustness in terms of acid and bile tolerance using De Man Rogosa Sharpe (MRS)/ MRSC (MRS with 0.05% (w/v) L-cysteine hydrochloride) with acid (pH 2.5) and MRSC/MRS containing 5% porcine bile (4hrs). Strains to be used in the gastrointestinal transit model (GITS) were exposed to acid and bile stress sequentially to mimick in vivo conditions. Robust probiotic strains were tested for degradation of five prebiotic-NDOs (non-digestible oligosaccharides), i.e
fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOS), xylooligosaccharides (XOS), and lactulose on agar plates

containing NDO:s. The strains were ascribed a prebiotic index based on which NDO:s they could degrade. Further co-culturing of robust probiotic strains in different combinations was performed after ensuring that the strains did not produce bacteriocin, inhibiting each other. Starch metabolism by different bifidobacteria strains were evaluated using different starch varieties. Growth stimulation of probiotic mixes was evaluated in the presence of a combination of prebiotics-NDOs and soluble starch. Further, co-culture of a starch metabolizing strain of B. breve and a non-starch metabolizing L. paracasei F8 was performed to elucidate a possible cross-feeding between the two different bacteria. Results: All tested Lactobacillus except L.crispatus survived well in both acidic and bile conditions. B. lactis 8:8 and B. lactis 10602 were most robust strains, and B.longum 6:18 was the least robust strain. All the bifidobacteria strains degraded all the 5 prebiotics-NDOs studied except two B. breve strains which failed to degrade XOS. Lactobacilli were not good prebiotic degrader compared to bifidobacteria. Co-culture of 2 lactobacilli ( L. plantarum and L. paracasei) and 2 bifidobacteria (B. breve and B. lactis) showed a synbiotic effect (measured how?). Conclusions: Lactobacilli strains were the most robust strains compared to bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria showed a very good metabolism of prebiotics. L. plantarum F44, L. paracasei F8, B. breve 46 and B. lactis 8:8 were compatible with each other, and exerted synergistic effect when grown in different combinations of prebiotics. Starch metabolizing B. breve stimulated the growth of starch non-metabolizing L. paracasei F8, suggesting cross-feeding of L. paracasei F8 with the degraded metabolites of starch produced during starch fermentation.
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In this study some parameters which are important in the selection of synbiotic mixes, i.e. multi-strain probiotics with prebiotics, are presented.