Evolutionary bi-directional relationship between gut microbes and plant phenolic bioactives have significantly benefited human health. Despite significant health beneficial impact, delivery of probiotic bacteria and phenolic bioactives to the gut and their ability to persist and interact with the gut microflora is a key constraint that limits their potential. This study focused on the vacuum infusion of phenolic bioactives derived from fruit skin extracts or in purified form into live probiotic bacteria to provide a novel approach to address the challenges of enhancing delivery of both probiotics and plant phenolics to the gut. The phenolic bioactives isolated from the skins of a tropical fruit (jabuticaba) and purified phenolic compound (Catechin) were infused in probiotic cells using our patented vacuum infusion process. The survivability of three different strains of lactobacillus cells with infused isolated and purified phenolics was evaluated during the simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The metabolic activity and the antagonistic effect of the bacteria with infused probiotics were evaluated using resazurin assay and an agar spot method. Further, the persistence and colonization of catechin infused Lactobacillus Casei strain were evaluated using mouse model. Results demonstrated approximately 103 folds improvement in survivability of probiotic cells with infused phenolics after the simulated gastric and intestinal digestions. Infusion of phenolics in cells did not significantly influence the metabolic activity of the bacteria as well as their ability to suppress the growth of pathogenic organisms. In-vivo results demonstrated significant (90% (1 log) or more) enhancement in persistence of catechin infused cells compared to the control bacteria without infused phenolic compound. Overall, this study validates the unique food grade composition developed by the infusion of phenolic bioactives in probiotic cells to enhance their resistance against gastro-intestinal conditions and persistence and colonization in the gut.

Improvement of probiotic survivability, persistence and colonization in gut by loading probiotic cells with plant extracts

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.