Diversity of the bacteriocins, their classification and potential applications in combat of antibiotic resistant and clinically relevant pathogens.

There is almost a century since discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, a century of enthusiasm, abuse, facing development of antibiotic-resistance and clear conclusion that the modern medicine needs a new type of antimicrobials. Bacteriocins produced by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Archaea and Eukaryotes were widely explored as potential antimicrobials with several applications in food industry. In last two decades bacteriocins showed their potential as promising alternative therapeutic for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Bacteriocins can be characterised as highly selective antimicrobials and therapeutics with low cytotoxicity. Most probably in order to solve the problems associated with the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the application of natural or bioengineered bacteriocins in addition to synergistically acting preparations of bacteriocins and conventional antibiotics, can be the next step in combat versus drug-resistant pathogens. In this overview we focussed on diversity of specific lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriocins. Moreover, some additional examples of bacteriocins from non-lactic acid, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Archaea and eukaryotic organisms are presented and discussed. Therapeutic properties of bacteriocins, their bioengineering and combined applications, together with conventional antibiotics, were evaluated with the scope of application in human and veterinary medicine for combating (multi-)drug-resistant pathogens.

Bacillus Strains Isolated from Korean Fermented Food Products with Antimicrobial Activity Against Staphylococci, an Alternative for Control of Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens.

Multidrug resistance in foodborne and clinical pathogens is a worldwide health problem. The urgent need for new alternatives to the existing antibiotics is emerging. Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances can be considered part of the new generation of antimicrobials, which can be potentially applied in the food industry and health care practices. This study aimed to select Bacillus strains with antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus spp. with future application in the formulation of pharmaceutical antimicrobial preparations. Putative antimicrobial agent-producing strains, previously isolated and preidentified as Bacillus spp. were profiled by repetitive element sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) and 16s rRNA sequencing identified the strains as Bacillus tequilensis ST1962CD with 99.47% identity confidence and as Bacillus subtilis subsp. stercoris ST2056CD with 98.45% identity confidence. Both the selected Bacillus strains were evaluated via biomolecular and physiological approaches related to their safety and virulence, beneficial properties, enzyme production profile, and presence of corresponding genes for the production of antimicrobials and virulence. Both strains were confirmed to harbor srfa and sbo genes and be free of hemolysin binding component (B) and two lytic components (L1 and L2) [BL] and nonhemolytic enterotoxin-associated genes. Produced antimicrobial agents by strains ST1962CD and ST2056CD were partially purified through the combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation and hydrophobic-based chromatography on SepPakC18 and evaluated regarding their cytotoxicity. The dynamics of bacterial growth, pH change, accumulation of produced antimicrobials, and the mode of action were evaluated. Obtained results were pointing to the potential application of safe B. tequilensis ST1962CD and B. subtilis subsp. stercoris ST2056CD strains as functional beneficial microbial cultures that are putative producers of surfactin and/or subtilosin, as potent antimicrobials, for the treatment of some staphylococcal-associated infections. Expressed antimicrobials were shown to be not cytotoxic, and appropriate biotechnological approaches need to be developed for cost-effective production, isolation, and purification of expressed antimicrobials by studied strains.

Two putative probiotic strains improve diet-induced hypercholesterolemia through modulating intestinal cholesterol uptake and hepatic cholesterol efflux.

AIMS: Two putative probiotic strains, Lacticaseibacillus (Lc.) rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lactiplantibacillus (Lp.) plantarum NR74, have been shown to suppress cholesterol uptake and promote cholesterol efflux in Caco-2 cells. However, an in vivo beneficial effect of these strains on plasma cholesterol levels has not been verified yet; neither have the underlying mechanisms of regulating cholesterol metabolism clarified thus far. This study has focused on these two aspects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A murine model has been used, and the animals receiving a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet showed elevated plasma cholesterol levels. However, supplementation of Lc. rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lp. plantarum NR74 resulted in the down regulation of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) in the intestine in addition to counteracting the diet-induced suppression of low-density lipoprotein receptor expression in the liver. ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily A Member 1 (ABCA1) was only significantly increased upon administration of Lc. rhamnosus BFE5264. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate that supplementation with Lc. rhamnosus BFE5264 and Lp. plantarum NR74 may improve diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by suppression of cholesterol absorption in the small intestine and by supporting the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the liver. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work contributes to understanding the beneficial effects of probiotics on host cholesterol metabolism and underlying mechanisms related to hypercholesterolemia.

Antimicrobial properties of Pediococcus acidilactici and Pediococcus pentosaceus isolated from silage.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to isolate multifunctional bacteriocin-producing strains; to characterize the expressed bacteriocin for the control of Listeria monocytogenes and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus; to evaluate the safety of studied strains; and to explore their antifungal activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two Pediococcus strains were isolated from silage samples obtained from an organic farm in Belogradchik, Bulgaria. The strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis and characterized as bacteriocins producers. Strong antimicrobial activity was detected against more than 74 different strains of Listeria monocytogenes, 27 different vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus strains. In addition, studied strains were able to inhibit the growth of strains of Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium expansum. Some aspects of the antimicrobial mode of action were evaluated, including killing curves and aggregation properties. Both strains generated positive PCR results for the presence of pediocin PA-1, but not for other bacteriocins evaluated in this screening process. Metabolomic analysis of the cell-free supernatants from both strains was performed in order to explain the observed antifungal activity against different moulds. According to PCA and PLS-DA score plot, P. acidilactici ST3522BG and P. pentosaceus ST3633BG were clearly clustered from control (MRS). Increases in the production of benzoic acid, 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid, ß-phenyl-lactic acid, α-hydroxybutyric acid and 1,3-butanediol were recorded, these metabolites were previously described as antifungal. CONCLUSIONS: Pediococcus acidilactici ST3522BG and P. pentosaceus ST3633BG were evaluated as producing bacteriocin strains with high specificity against Listeria and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species. In addition, both investigated Pediococcus strains were evaluated as producer of effective antifungal metabolites with potential for the inhibition of mycotoxin-producing moulds. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: To the best of our knowledge, this report is a pioneer in the evaluation of Pediococcus strains isolated from silage with highly specific bacteriocinogenic antimicrobial activity against Listeria spp. and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., and antifungal activity against mycotoxin-producing moulds.

Characterization and safety evaluation of two beneficial, enterocin-producing Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from kimchi, a Korean fermented cabbage.

Enterococcus faecium ST20Kc and ST41Kc were isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented cabbage. Bacteriocins produced by both strains exhibited strong activity against Listeria monocytogenes and various Enterococcus spp., including 30 vancomycin-resistant enterococcal strains, but not against other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the evaluated test panel. The antimicrobials produced by the strains were found to be proteinaceous and stable even after exposure to varying pH, temperature, and chemicals used in the industry and laboratory processes. Antimicrobial activity of both strains was evaluated as bactericidal against exponentially growing cultures of L. monocytogenes ATCC® 15313™ and Enterococcus faecalis 200A. Based on tricine-SDS-PAGE, the molecular weights of the bacteriocins produced by the strains were between 4 and 6 kDa. Additionally, both strains were susceptible to antibiotics, including vancomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin, ampicillin, streptomycin, tylosin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and tetracycline. Adhesion genes, map, mub, and EF-Tu, were also detected in the genomes of both strains. With gastrointestinal stress induction, both strains showed high individual survival rates, and capability to reduce viable counts of L. monocytogenes ATCC® 15313™ and Enterococcus faecalis 200A in mixed cultures. Based on the metabolomics analysis, both strains were found to produce additional antimicrobial compounds, particularly, lactic acid, phenyllactic acid, and phenethylamine, which can be potentially involved in the antimicrobial interaction with pathogenic microorganisms.

Assessment of the safety and anti-inflammatory effects of three Bacillus strains in the respiratory tract.

Chronic respiratory diseases are part of accumulating health problems partly due to worldwide increase in air pollution. By their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, some probiotics constitute promising alternatives for the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. We have isolated Bacillus strains from Korean fermented foods and selected three potentially probiotic strains (two Bacillus subtilis and one Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) based on safety, antimicrobial efficacy, activity against airborne pathogens and their immunomodulatory properties in vivo. Safety evaluation included in silico analysis for confirming absence of virulence genes. Safety for the respiratory tract was confirmed by an in vivo pathogenicity test using a murine model. Antimicrobial activity was displayed against several airborne pathogens. Potential antimicrobial metabolites such as 2,3-butanediol and propylene glycol were identified as possible antagonistic agents. Immunomodulatory properties in vitro were confirmed by upregulation of IL-10 expression in a macrophage cell line. Intranasal instillation and inhalation in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation murine model reduced T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines at transcriptional and protein levels in the lungs. The safety and potentially beneficial role of these Bacillus strains could be demonstrated for the respiratory tract of a murine model.

International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of closed and open meetings, 3 September 2018, Berlin, Germany.

The meeting of International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium,Lactobacillus and related organisms was held within the frame of the FoodMicro 2018 Congress (FoodMicro 2018, 3-6 September 2018, Berlin, Germany). The meeting comprised an open session with a workshop entitled 'Modern approaches of LAB identification and conservation' and a closed session on issues related to ICSP Subcommittee activities.

International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of open and closed meetings, 19 July 2016, Dublin, Ireland.

The meeting of International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms was held within the frame of the FoodMicro 2016 Congress in Dublin (FoodMicro 2016, 19-22 July 2016, Dublin, Ireland). The meeting comprised an open session with a workshop entitled 'Research and networking taxonomy in food with an emphasis on LAB' and a closed session on issues related to ICSP Subcommittee activities.

Long-term fermented soybean paste improves metabolic parameters associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Recently, Korean traditional fermented soybean paste, called Doenjang, has attracted attention for its protective effect against diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Long-term fermented soybean pastes (LFSPs) are made by fermentation with naturally-occurring microorganisms for several months, whereas short-term fermented soybean pastes (SFSPs) are produced by shorter-time fermentation inoculated with a starter culture. Here, we demonstrate that administration of LFSP, but not SFSP, protects high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice against non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. LFSP suppressed body weight gain in parallel with reduction in fat accumulation in mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) and the liver via modulation of MAT lipolysis and hepatic lipid uptake. LFSP-treated mice also had improved glucose tolerance and increased adiponectin levels concomitantly with enhanced AMPK activation in skeletal muscle and suppressed expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in skeletal muscle and the liver. LFSP also attenuated HFD-induced gut permeability and lowered serum lipopolysaccharide level, providing an evidence for its probiotic effects, which was supported by the observation that treatment of a probiotic mixture of LFSP-originated Bacillus strains protected mice against HFD-induced adiposity and glucose intolerance. Our findings suggest that the intake of LFSP, but not SFSP, offers protection against NAFLD and insulin resistance, which is an effect of long-term fermentation resulting in elevated contents of active ingredients (especially flavonoids) and higher diversity and richness of Bacillus probiotic strains compared to SFSP.

Amodiaquine improves insulin resistance and lipid metabolism in diabetic model mice.

AIMS: Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)α/γ dual agonists can be beneficial for treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes, their use is limited owing to various side effects, including body weight gain, edema, and heart failure. We aimed to demonstrate that amodiaquine, an antimalarial agent, has potential as a PPARα/γ dual agonist with low risk of adverse effects. METHODS: We screened a Prestwick library (Prestwick Chemical; Illkirch, France) to identify novel PPARα/γ dual agonists and selected amodiaquine (4-[(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)amino]-2-[(diethylamino)methyl]phenol), which activated both PPAR-α & -γ, for further investigation. We performed both in vitro, including glucose uptake assay and fatty acid oxidation assay, and in vivo studies to elucidate the anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of amodiaquine. RESULTS: Amodiaquine selectively activated the transcriptional activities of PPARα/γ and enhanced both fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake without altering insulin secretion in vitro. In high-fat diet-induced obese and genetically modified obese/diabetic mice, amodiaquine not only remarkably ameliorated insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver but also decreased body weight gain. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that amodiaquine exerts beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism by concurrent activation of PPARα/γ. Furthermore, amodiaquine acts as an alternative insulin-sensitizing agent with a positive influence on lipid metabolism and has potential to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes while reducing the risk of lipid abnormalities.

Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 regulates gut microbiota and adipose tissue accumulation in a diet-induced obesity murine model.

The functional features of Lactobacillus plantarum HAC01 (HAC01), isolated from fermented Korean kimchi, were studied with regard to the fat mass, immunometabolic biomarkers and dysbiosis in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) murine model. L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) served as reference strain and a PBS-treated group as control. The administration of L. plantarum HAC01 resulted in reduction of the mesenteric adipose depot, the conjunctive tissue closely associated with the gastrointestinal tract, where lipid oxidative gene expression was upregulated compared to the control group. Metagenome analysis of intestinal microbiota showed that both strains HAC01 and LGG influenced specific bacterial families such as the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae rather than the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as a whole. The relative abundance of the Lachnospiraceae (phylum Firmicutes) was significantly higher in both LAB-treated groups than in the control. Comparing the impact of the two Lactobacillus strains on microbial composition in the gut also suggests strain-specific effects. The study emphasises the need for deeper studies into functional specificity of a probiotic organism at the strain level. Alleviation of obesity-associated dysbiosis by modulation of the gut microbiota appears to be associated with "indicator" bacterial taxa such as the family Lachnospiraceae. This may provide further insight into mechanisms basic to the mode of probiotic action against obesity and associated dysbiosis.

Protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG against dyslipidemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Recent reports suggest that gut microbiota can be a major determinant of dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its modulation by treating probiotics is a valid strategy to exert a protective effect. In this study, high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally administrated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) for 13 weeks. Significant reductions in the weights of the liver, mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissues were observed in LGG-treated HFD-fed mice compared to LGG-non-treated controls. The serum levels of triglyceride and cholesterol were also significantly reduced in LGG-treated mice. Gut microbial composition analysis showed that shifts in the diversity of dominant gut bacteria were caused by HFD and restored by LGG treatment. A remarkable decrease of hepatic fat content was also observed in LGG-treated mice, accompanied by downregulated expressions of lipogenic and pro-inflammatory genes in the liver. LGG-treated mice had lower expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol synthesis, but conversely, higher expression levels of cholesterol efflux-related genes compared to LGG-non-treated controls. The cholesterol-lowering effect of LGG was also found to be mediated by suppression of FXR and FGF15 signaling, resulting in the upregulation of hepatic CYP7A1. Our findings confirm a therapeutic potential of probiotics for ameliorating dyslipidemia and NAFLD.

Development of putative probiotics as feed additives: validation in a porcine-specific gastrointestinal tract model.

Enforced restrictions on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production have prompted investigations into alternative feed additives in recent decades. Probiotics are currently the main feed additive used in livestock. However, the selection of probiotic candidates relies on human-based methods and little is known about the verification criteria for host-specific selection. We investigated the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus salivarius strains isolated from fed pig feces for their use as porcine feed additives. Two methods were developed that simulated the pig gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the intestinal epithelium, and these were compared with human-based in vitro methods and used for selecting porcine probiotics. Lactobacillus salivarius strain LS6 was identified as a promising probiotic strain for potential use as a porcine feed additive. This strain prevented disruption of the epithelial integrity of pig small intestine (PSI) cells by inhibiting the adherence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88. It also showed high survival rates in the in vitro pig GI tract model and good adhesion to PSI cells. We propose that host target-specific screening and validation methods are important tools in the development of effective probiotic feed additives, and this approach may support future-oriented agriculture.

The effects of combined dietary probiotics Lactococcus lactis BFE920 and Lactobacillus plantarum FGL0001 on innate immunity and disease resistance in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

The effects of a dietary probiotic mixture containing Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis BFE920 isolated from bean sprout and autochthonous Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum FGL0001 originally isolated from the hindgut of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were investigated for the purpose of improving the probiotic effects of Lc. lactis BFE920 on the olive flounder. The immunostimulatory, disease protective, and weight gain effects of Lc. lactis BFE920 were significantly improved when olive flounder (average weight 37.5±1.26 g) were fed the probiotic mixture (log10 7.0 CFU each/g feed pellet) for 30 days. Flounder fed the mixture showed improved skin mucus lysozyme activity and phagocytic activity of innate immune cells compared to flounder fed a single probiotic agent or a control diet. While the levels of neutrophil activity in flounder fed the single probiotic agent or the mixture were similar, they were significantly higher than levels in a control group. Additionally, probiotic-fed flounder showed significantly increased expressions of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the intestine compared to the control group. Following a 30-day period of being fed probiotics or a control diet, the olive flounder were challenged with an i.p. injection of Streptococcus iniae (log10 6.0 CFU/fish). The groups fed the mixed probiotics, Lc. lactis BFE920, Lb. plantarum FGL0001, and the control diet had survival rates of 55%, 45%, 35%, and 20%, respectively. Flounder fed the probiotic mixture gained 38.1±2.8% more body weight compared to flounder fed the control diet during the 30-day study period. These data strongly suggest that a mixture of Lc. lactis BFE920 and Lb. plantarum FGL0001 may serve as an immunostimulating feed additive useful for disease protection in the fish farming industry.

Recommended minimal standards for description of new taxa of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related genera.

Minimal standards for the description of new cultivable strains that represent novel genera and species belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related genera are proposed in accordance with Recommendation 30b of the Bacteriological Code (1990 Revision): the description of novel species should be based on phenotypic, genotypic and ecological characteristics to ensure a rich polyphasic characterization. Concerning genotypic characterization, in addition to DNA G+C content (mol%) data, the description should be based on DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH), 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and at least two housekeeping gene (e.g. hsp60 and recA) sequence similarities. DDH might not be needed if the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the closest known species is lower than 97 %. This proposal has been endorsed by members of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms of the International Committee on the Systematics of Prokaryotes.

Identification of safe putative probiotics from various food products.

The objective of this study was to isolate, identify, and assess the safety and functionality in vitro of putative probiotic bacterial strains. Isolation procedures were based on standard methods using elective and selective media. The isolates were identified by comparative 16S rRNA sequencing analysis while their safety was determined according to the safety tests recommended by the FAO/WHO such as antibiotic resistance, hemolysin, and biogenic amine production. Most of the isolates did not pass the in vitro safety tests; therefore, only Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (from ant intestine and cheese), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (from goat milk and kimchi), Enterococcus faecium (from chili doenjang and vegetables with kimchi ingredients), Limosilactobacillus fermentum (from saliva), and Companilactobacillus alimentarius (from kimchi) were identified and selected for further studies. The isolates were further differentiated by rep-PCR and identified to the strain level by genotypic (16S rRNA) and phenotypic (Gen III) approaches. Subsequently, the strain tolerance to acid and bile was evaluated resulting in good viability after simulated gastrointestinal tract passage. Adhesion to mucin in vitro and the presence of mub, mapA, and ef-tu genes confirmed the adhesive potential of the strains and the results of features associated with adhesion such as hydrophobicity and zeta potential extended the insights. This study reflects the importance of fermented and non-fermented food products as a promising source of lactic acid bacteria with potential probiotic properties. Additionally, it aims to highlight the challenges associated with the selection of safe strains, which often fail in the in vitro tests, thus hindering the possibilities of "uncovering" novel and safe probiotic strains.

Comprehensive Amelioration of Metabolic Dysfunction through Administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum APsulloc 331261 (GTB1™) in High-Fat-Diet-Fed Mice.

The beneficial effects of probiotics for the improvement of metabolic disorders have been studied intensively; however, these effects are evident in a probiotic strain-specific and disease-specific manner. Thus, it is still essential to evaluate the efficacy of each strain against a target disease. Here, we present an anti-obese and anti-diabetic probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum APsulloc331261 (GTB1™), which was isolated from green tea and tested for safety previously. In high-fat-diet-induced obese mice, GTB1™ exerted multiple beneficial effects, including significant reductions in adiposity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia, which were further supported by improvements in levels of circulating hormones and adipokines. Lipid metabolism in adipose tissues was restored through the activation of PPAR/PGC1α signaling by GTB1™ treatment, which was facilitated by intestinal microbiota composition changes and short-chain fatty acid production. Our findings provide evidence to suggest that GTB1™ is a potential candidate for probiotic supplementation for comprehensive improvement in metabolic disorders.