Bioavailability assessment of zinc enriched lactobacillus biomass in a human colon carcinoma cell line (Caco-2).

The present study utilizes lactobacilli strains having the potential to accumulate a significant amount of Zinc (Zn) in their biomass and ability to deliver the same mineral in a highly bioavailable form. A human origin Lactobacillus fermentum SR4 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) were studied for their ability to accumulate Zn by growing them in the medium containing Zn salt. Further, Zn enriched cell lysates were prepared by Ultrasonication, as an organic Zn source. Various functional groups involved in bacterial Zn binding were identified by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental Zn in bio-chelated cell lysate complex was confirmed by SEM and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX). Experimental data demonstrated a significantly higher (P < 0.05) bioavailability of Zn chelated by SR4 followed by LGG i.e., 57% and 48%, as compared to the commercially available inorganic (ZnSo4) and even organic (Zinc gluconate) forms tested which has 15.6% and 21.7% respectively.

"Potential health benefits of lunasin: a multifaceted soy-derived bioactive peptide".

Bioactive peptides are small protein fragments derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of food proteins, fermentation with proteolytic starter cultures, and gastrointestinal digestion. These peptides have positive impacts on a number of physiological functions in living beings. Lunasin, a soy-derived bioactive peptide, is one of the most promising among them. Lunasin encoded within 2S albumin (GM2S-1) gene, identified as a novel peptide extracted from soybean seed. It is composed of 43 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 5.5 kDa. Extensive scientific studies have shown that lunasin possesses inherent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous properties and could also play a vital role in regulating of cholesterol biosynthesis in the body. Its high bioavailability and heat stable nature allow its potential use as dietary supplement. The present review summarizes some of the potential health and therapeutic benefits of lunasin reported hitherto.

Current status and emerging role of glutathione in food grade lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have taken centre stage in perspectives of modern fermented food industry and probiotic based therapeutics. These bacteria encounter various stress conditions during industrial processing or in the gastrointestinal environment. Such conditions are overcome by complex molecular assemblies capable of synthesizing and/or metabolizing molecules that play a specific role in stress adaptation. Thiols are important class of molecules which contribute towards stress management in cell. Glutathione, a low molecular weight thiol antioxidant distributed widely in eukaryotes and Gram negative organisms, is present sporadically in Gram positive bacteria. However, new insights on its occurrence and role in the latter group are coming to light. Some LAB and closely related Gram positive organisms are proposed to possess glutathione synthesis and/or utilization machinery. Also, supplementation of glutathione in food grade LAB is gaining attention for its role in stress protection and as a nutrient and sulfur source. Owing to the immense benefits of glutathione, its release by probiotic bacteria could also find important applications in health improvement. This review presents our current understanding about the status of glutathione and its role as an exogenously added molecule in food grade LAB and closely related organisms.

Multifaceted attributes of dairy propionibacteria: a review.

Dairy propionibacteria are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status microorganisms which have been traditionally used for the manufacture of Swiss type cheeses. In the last two decades various added features and functionalities have been discovered and developed from these bacteria. Propionibacteria are robust organisms with remarkable adaptability to technological and physiological stress conditions. Besides, they also display a multitude of health promoting properties like modulation of gut microbiota, improved gut physiology and immunomodulation suggesting their promising probiotic potential. Propionibacteria produce an interestingly wide range of functional biomolecules like B group vitamins, trehalose, conjugated linoleic acid, propionic acid, bacteriocins, bifidogenic factors etc. These bacteria are thus now being explored for designing novel functional foods as well as for industrial production of nutraceuticals. Growing interest in these bacteria is fueled by the first whole genome sequencing of a Propionibacterium freudenreichii strain providing a platform for better understanding of various pathways and further improvement in related process technologies.