Effect of a Probiotic Beverage Enriched with Cricket Proteins on the Gut Microbiota: Composition of Gut and Correlation with Nutritional Parameters.

The health and balance of the gut microbiota are known to be linked to diet composition and source, with fermented products and dietary proteins potentially providing an exceptional advantage for the gut. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of protein hydrolysis, using a probiotic beverage enriched with either cricket protein (CP) or cricket protein hydrolysates (CP.Hs), on the composition of the gut microbiota of rats. Taxonomic characterization of the gut microbiota in fecal samples was carried out after a 14-day nutritional study to identify modifications induced by a CP- and CP.H-enriched fermented probiotic product. The results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota among the groups fed with casein (positive control), CP-enriched, and fermented CP.H-enriched probiotic beverages; however, the overall composition of the microbiota was altered, with significant modifications in the relative abundance of several bacterial families and genera. In addition, fermented CP.H-enriched probiotic beverages could be related to the decrease in the number of potential pathogens such as Enterococcaceae. The association of gut microbiota with the nutritional parameters was determined and the results showed that digestibility and the protein efficiency ratio (PER) were highly associated with the abundance of several taxa.

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus Inhibits the Permeability of Blood-Brain and Gut Barriers in a Parkinsonism Model.

It has recently been shown that the administration of probiotics can modulate the microbiota-gut-brain axis and may have favorable effects in models of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we used a hemiparkinsonism model induced by the neurotoxin 6-OHDA to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of a four-week administration of a mixture containing the microorganisms Lactobacillus fermentum LH01, Lactobacillus reuteri LH03, and Lactobacillus plantarum LH05. The hemiparkinsonism model induced an increase in rotations in the apomorphine test, along with a decrease in the latency time to fall in the rotarod test on days 14 and 21 after surgery, respectively. The administration of probiotics was sufficient to improve this condition. The model also showed a decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the striatum and the number of labeled cells in the substantia nigra, both of which were counteracted by the administration of probiotics. The permeability of the blood-brain barrier was increased in the model, but this effect was reversed by the probiotics for both brain regions. The gut barrier was permeated with the model, and this effect was reversed and dropped to lower levels than the control group after the administration of probiotics. Finally, lipid peroxidation showed a pattern of differences similar to that of permeabilities. The inhibition of the permeability of the blood-brain and gut barriers mediated by the administration of probiotics will likely provide protection by downregulating oxidative stress, thus affecting the rotarod test performance.

Physico-chemical Properties and Sensorial Appreciation of a New Fermented Probiotic Beverage Enriched with Pea and Rice Proteins.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical stability, the sensorial properties, and the microbial quality of a fermented beverage enriched with pea and rice proteins (PRF) during storage at 4 °C. To investigate the effect of the protein enrichment and fermentation, the PRF beverage quality was compared with non-fermented and non-enriched beverages. METHODS: The beverage was supplemented with a 50/50 mixture of pea and rice protein concentrate to 13% concentration. Following inoculation with 108 CFU/mL of lactic acid bacteria, it was incubated at 37 °C for 14 h. RESULTS: Results showed that the enrichment with protein induced an increase in pH, titratable acidity and viscosity of the PR products, while the fermentation led to a decrease of pH and viscosity. However, a significant increase of the viscosity of PRF from 39 to 57 cP was observed during the 143 days of storage (P ≤ 0.05). The PRF beverage contained significantly more peptides < 200 Da than the non-fermented one (PRNF) and these small peptides were also released during the storage. Despite the physico-chemical modifications, the sensorial properties of the PRF product were appreciated over the storage, particularly for the texture. Furthermore, the beverage maintained a high concentration of viable probiotics during the entire storage with 8.4 log colony form unit (CFU)/mL after 143 days. CONCLUSION: Applying probiotics and the mixture of rice and pea proteins in the fermented beverage can enhance nutritional and nutraceutical value of the product.

Protein quality of a probiotic beverage enriched with pea and rice protein.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the fermentation of a probiotic beverage enriched with pea and rice proteins (PRF) on its protein quality. The protein quality was determined as the protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR), and the apparent (AD) and the true digestibility (TD) evaluated in vivo. The probiotic beverage was incorporated to a rat diet at a final concentration of 10% protein, for the evaluation of the PER, the NPR, the AD, and the TD. The protein digestibility amino acid score was also calculated. Results showed that the fermentation of beverage enriched with PRF had no effect on the TD but significantly increased the PER and the NPR (P ≤ 0.05) from 1.88 to 2.32 and from 1.66 to 2.30, respectively. Thus, the fermentation increased the protein quality of the PRF probiotic beverage. In addition, to determine if the beverage constitute in a good carrier matrix for the probiotics, the level of alive probiotics in the feces was evaluated and showed a concentration of 7.4 log CFU/g. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Plant proteins are often of lower quality compared to animal proteins. Lactic acid fermentation of pea and rice protein has allowed to reach the same protein quality as casein. A plant-based fermented beverage with high protein quality and enriched with probiotics was developed.

In vivo assessment and characterization of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic profile isolated from human milk powder / Evaluación y caracterización in vivo de bacterias acidolácticas con perfil probiótico aisladas a partir de leche materna en polvo

INTRODUCTION: breast milk (MH) contains nutrients and bioactive compounds for child development, including probiotic bacteria, which contribute to intestinal maturation. This benefit accompanies the individual until adulthood. There are new methods such as spray drying that give this compound a good conservation without loss of microbiota. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to analyze the viability of lactic acid bacteria isolated from human milk with probiotic potential after the spray drying process, as well as to evaluate the possible adhesion in the colon of mice of the Balb/C strain after feeding them powdered human milk and a commercial formula milk. METHOD: we isolated and identified the presence of lactic acid bacteria with possible probiotic potential in powdered human milk using the MALDI-TOF MS technique. Powdered human milk and a commercial formula milk were fed to mice of the Bald/C strain for 14 weeks. Glucose level and weight were measured in the mice. The feces were collected to verify the presence of lactic bacteria. The mice were sacrificed and their intestines were weighed, isolating the lactic acid bacteria both from the intestines and from the feces. The strains isolated from mice fed human milk were evaluated for their probiotic potential, analyzing their ability to inhibit pathogens, resistance to pH, temperature, adhesion, and hydrophobicity. RESULTS: the presence of Lactobacillus fermentum LH01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LH02, Lactobacullis reuteri LH03, and Lactobacillus plantarum LH05 in powdered human milk was identified. All strains showed a possible probiotic profile due to the ability of bacteria to resist low pH, bile salts, and exposure to gastric enzymes, as well as their hydrophobicity and self-aggregation capacity, and their failure to show hemagglutination or hemolysis activity in a culture medium rich in erythrocytes. We observed that the consumption of powdered human milk prevented weight gain and constipation in mice. CONCLUSIONS: after spray drying, strains with possible probiotic potential may be preserved in human milk. The consumption of powdered human milk with probiotic bacteria prevents constipation and weight gain in mice, when compared to those fed a commercial formula milk

INTRODUCCIÓN: la leche materna (HM) contiene los nutrientes y compuestos bioactivos necesarios para el desarrollo infantil, incluidas bacterias probióticas, que contribuyen a la maduración intestinal. OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la viabilidad de las bacterias acidolácticas aisladas de la leche humana con potencial probiótico, después del proceso de secado, así como evaluar su posible adhesión en el colón de ratones (BAlb/C) alimentados con leche humana en polvo y leche de una fórmula comercial. MÉTODO: se aislaron e identificaron mediante la técnica de Maldi-Tof-MS las bacterias acidolácticas con posible potencial probiótico en la leche humana en polvo. Se alimentó con leche humana en polvo y leche de una fórmula comercial a ratones de la cepa Bald/C durante 14 semanas. Se midieron el nivel de glucosa y el peso. Las heces se recolectaron para verificar la presencia de bacterias lácticas. Los ratones se sacrificaron y se pesaron los intestinos, aislando las bacterias lácticas tanto de los intestinos como de las heces. En las cepas aisladas de la leche humana se evaluó el potencial probiótico analizando su capacidad para inhibir patógenos, resistir distintos pH y temperaturas, adherirse y mostrar hidrofobicidad. RESULTADOS: se identificó la presencia de Lactobacillus fermentum LH01, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LH02, Lactobacullis reuteri LH03 y L. plantarum LH05 en la leche humana en polvo. Todas las cepas mostraron resistencia a los pH bajos, a las sales biliares y a la exposición a enzimas gástricas, así como una buena hidrofobicidad y capacidad de autoagregación. Además, no presentaron actividad de hemaglutinación o hemólisis en un medio de cultivo rico en eritrocitos. Observamos que el consumo de leche humana en polvo evita en los ratones el aumento de peso y el estreñimiento. CONCLUSIONES: después del secado por aspersión, las cepas con posible potencial probiótico pueden conservarse en la leche materna. El consumo de leche humana en polvo con bacterias probióticas evita el estreñimiento y el aumento de peso en los ratones, en comparación con los alimentados con leche de una formula comercial

In-vivo assessment of the protection of Beta-glucans of Pleurotus ostreatus against oxidative stress caused by acrylamide intake (part II) / Evaluación in vivo de la proteccion de los beta-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus contra el estrés oxidativo causado por la ingesta de acrilamida (parte II)

INTRODUCTION: in April 2002, the National Food Authority of Sweden published a study in which the presence of a carcinogen was reported for the first time in experimental animals, and was identified as acrylamide. Various studies have shown that the β-glucans of Pleurotus ostreatus have diverse biological properties including antioxidant and anticancer activities. METHODS: β-glucans were obtained by alkaline-acid hydrolysis from Pleurotus ostreatus, and their content was characterized by liquid chromatography. To evaluate the effect of β-glucans on the expression of glutathione, Balb/c mice were used, and 4 test groups were established. All groups were fed as usual, groups treated with acrylamide were administered the compound intragastrically at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and β-glucan treatment was given at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. RESULTS: no mortality was observed after exposure to the tested dose of acrylamide; only signs of peripheral neuropathy such as hyperactivity and tremors were observed after five days of experimentation, and were maintained over 30 days after the experiment. On the other hand, an increase in lipid peroxidation levels was observed in the livers of the acrylamide-treated mice, which were lower in the mice treated with β-glucans. CONCLUSIONS: results show that β-glucans may act as antioxidant agents able to protect the liver against oxidative stress as caused by the intake of acrylamide

INTRODUCCIÓN: en abril de 2002, la Autoridad Nacional de Alimentos de Suecia publicó un estudio en el que se informó por primera vez de la presencia de un carcinógeno en animales experimentales, identificado como acrilamida. Diversos estudios han demostrado que los β-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus tienen diversas propiedades biológicas, tales como actividades antioxidantes y anticancerígenas. MÉTODOS: los β-glucanos se obtuvieron por hidrólisis ácido-alcalina de Pleurotus ostreatus y su contenido se caracterizó por cromatografía líquida. Para evaluar el efecto de los β-glucanos sobre la expresión de glutatión, se usaron ratones Balb/c y se establecieron 4 grupos de prueba; todos los grupos se alimentaron normalmente, en los grupos tratados con acrilamida esta se administró intragástricamente a una concentración de 50 μg/mL, y el tratamiento con β-glucanos se dio a una concentración de 50 μg/mL. RESULTADOS: no se observó mortalidad después de la exposición a la dosis probada de acrilamida; solo se observaron signos de neuropatía periférica, como hiperactividad y temblores, después de cinco días de experimentación, que se mantuvieron dentro de los 30 días posteriores al experimento. Por otro lado, se observó un aumento de los niveles de peroxidación lipídica en los hígados de los ratones tratados con acrilamida, que fueron más bajos en los ratones tratados con β-glucanos. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados muestran que los β-glucanos podrían actuar como agentes antioxidantes y proteger el hígado contra el estrés oxidativo causado por la ingesta de acrilamida

In vivo assessment of the protection conferred by beta-glucans from Pleurotus ostreatus against the harmful effects of acrylamide intake (Part I) / Evaluación in vivo de la protección que confieren los beta-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus frente a los efectos nocivos de la ingestión de acrilamida (Parte I)

INTRODUCTION: acrylamide is formed in food through Maillard's reaction during thermal processing, and has been shown to be neurotoxic in humans, and a possible carcinogen. Studies have shown that β-glucans from Pleurotus ostreatus have diverse biological properties such as antioxidant and anticancer activities. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of β-glucans from Pleurotus ostreatus against the harmful effects of acrylamide consumption in mice. METHODS: β-glucans were obtained by alkaline-acid hydrolysis of Pleurotus ostreatus, and the content was characterized by liquid chromatography. To evaluate the effect of β-glucans on the expression of glutathione, Balb/c mice were used, and 4 test groups were established. All groups were fed normally, and the groups treated with acrylamide were administered the compound intragastrically at a concentration of 50 μg/mL; β-glucans were administered at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. RESULTS: mice exposed to acrylamide showed a marked variation in the activity of glutathione enzymes in the liver. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were only found in the expression of glutathione transferase, which was increased almost 3 times in the group treated with β-glucans as compared with the control group, and 1.5 times as compared with the group treated with acrylamide. CONCLUSIONS: the results show that β-glucans could act by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in xenobiotic detoxification, thus protecting the biological system against the harmful effects caused by acrylamide intake

INTRODUCCIÓN: la acrilamida se forma en los alimentos a través de la reacción de Maillard durante el proceso térmico, y ha demostrado ser neurotóxica en humanos y un posible carcinógeno. Algunos estudios han demostrado que los β-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus tienen diversas propiedades biológicas, como actividades antioxidantes y anticancerígenas. OBJETIVO: el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto protector de los β-glucanos de Pleurotus ostreatus contra los efectos nocivos por consumo de acrilamida en ratones (prueba in vivo). MÉTODOS: los β-glucanos se obtuvieron por hidrólisis ácido-alcalina de Pleurotus ostreatus y su contenido se caracterizó por cromatografía líquida. La oxidación de los lípidos se evaluó mediante el método de TBARS, y para evaluar el efecto de los β-glucanos en la expresión de glutatión se usaron ratones Balb/c, y se establecieron 4 grupos de prueba. Todos los grupos fueron alimentados normalmente; a lo grupos tratados con acrilamida, esta se les administró intragástricamente en una concentración de 50 μg/ml, y los β-glucanos en una concentración de 50 μg/ml. RESULTADOS: en el presente trabajo, los ratones expuestos a acrilamida mostraron una marcada variación en la actividad de las enzimas de glutatión determinadas en el hígado. Solo se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en la expresión de glutatión-transferasa, que aumentó casi 3 veces en el grupo tratado con β-glucano en comparación con el grupo de control, y 1,5 veces con respecto al grupo tratado con acrilamida. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados muestran que los β-glucanos podrían actuar como agentes antioxidantes que protegen el hígado contra el estrés oxidativo causado por la ingesta de acrilamida

Effect of Saccharomyces Boulardii Cell Wall Extracts on Colon Cancer Prevention in Male F344 Rats Treated with 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine.

The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii cell wall extracts on colon cancer prevention in rats treated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine was investigated. A crude insoluble glucan (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg/day) and a crude mannoprotein extract (0.3 and 3.0 mg/kg/day) were administered in rats by gavage for 12 weeks along with a high fat low fiber diet whereupon rats were sacrificed and aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were counted in the colon. Moreover, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (QR) and harmful fecal enzymes (ß-glucosidase and ß-glucuronidase) were quantified in the liver and in the caecum, respectively. Results showed a reduction in ACF counts, a decreased ß-glucuronidase activity and an increased QR activity when rats were treated only with insoluble glucan. While these enzymatic modulations may be constituted one of the mechanisms that is responsible for the reduction of ACF counts observed, the reduction of ACF counts caused by insoluble glucan should be addressed, at least, as a biomarker of their cancer-prevention properties. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrated that crude cell wall extract obtained from S. boulardii could have a potential role in colon cancer prevention in vivo by revealing the potential implication of QR and ß-glucuronidase modulation.