Survivability of freeze-dried probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus strains GS4,GS17 and Lactobacillus gasseri(ATCC 19992)during storage with commonly used pharmaceutical excipients within a period of 120 days

Objective: To examine the survivability and stability of probiotic strains in presence and absence of pharmaceutical excipients for a long period of time at (4 ± 1) ℃. Methods: The survival rates of probiotic strains, Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 (MTCC12683)(NCBI HM044322),GS17(NCBI KJ608061)and Lactobacillus gasseri (ATCC 19992), were evaluated. Probiotic strains were lyophilized individually and in combination of excipients (sorbitol, ascorbic acid, fructose and skim milk). The prepa-ration was monitored for 120 d storing at(4 ± 1) ℃.During storage,all the preparations were evaluated for viability and stability of probiotic properties like lactic acid produc-tion, antimicrobial effect,water activity,and adherence to epithelial cells. Results: Sorbitol,ascorbic acid and skim milk favoured the viability of freeze-dried cells and sustained probiotic properties during storage. Without excipients (control group), strains showed percentage of survivability not more than 70% while strains with excip-ients survived for 73%–93% for a long period of time. Conclusions: Commonly used excipients can be considered as a vehicle for delivering active principle in probiotic formulation and for sustaining the viability and stability of probiotic strains for a period of 120 d.

Phosphate solubilizing ability of Emericella nidulans strain V1 isolated from vermicompost.

Phosphorus is one of the key factors that regulate soil fertility. Its deficiencies in soil are largely replenished by chemical fertilizers. The present study was aimed to isolate efficient phosphate solubilizing fungal strains from Eisenia fetida vermicompost. Out of total 30 fungal strains the most efficient phosphate solubilizing one was Emericella (Aspergillus) nidulans V1 (MTCC 11044), identified by custom sequencing of β-tubulin gene and BLAST analysis. This strain solubilized 13 to 36% phosphate from four different rock phosphates. After three days of incubation of isolated culture with black Mussorie phosphate rock, the highest percentage of phosphate solubilization was 35.5±1.01 with a pH drop of 4.2±0.09. Kinetics of solubilization and acid production showed a linear relationship until day five of incubation. Interestingly, from zero to tenth day of incubation, solubility of soil phosphate increased gradually from 4.31±1.57 to 13.65±1.82 (mg kg-1) recording a maximum of 21.23±0.54 on day 45 in respect of the V1 isolate. Further, enhanced phosphorus uptake by Phaseolus plants with significant pod yield due to soil inoculation of Emericella nidulans V1 (MTCC 11044), demonstrated its prospect as an effective biofertilizer for plant growth.

Prospectus of probiotics in modern age diseases

In India food reflects the warmth, hospitality, status, symbol of wealth and aesthetics. The synergistic combination of pre and probiotics is known as synbiotics. Regular consumption of synbiotics in diets imparts health benefits like improved immune response, maintain intestinal integrity, decrease intestinal infections and down regulate the allergic response, influence digestion and gastric motility. Because of the changes in life styles due to globalization, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity and exposure to tobacco smoke or harmful use of alcohol non communicable diseases are disproportionately affecting the 80% of low and middle income countries. This review covers the mechanism of probiotic action, use of probiotics in treatment and prevention of diseases of modern age, progress in delivery systems for the administration and finally some regulatory considerations. In conclusion, combined skills of the microbiologist, food technologist and clinician are necessary to sustain effect of probiotics. The role of probiotic organisms as alternative or complementary therapy in combating a large number of disorders can be achieved with balance and healthy life style as well as clean external environmental conditions. It is hoped that more detailed research will be conducted regarding the efficacy of probiotics so that clinically well documented and simplest formulation will be developed and can be regarded as effective for everyone. With validated results strong market will be formed and expanded in near future.