In vitro studies on the anti-bacterial and anti-cancerous properties of probiotic lactobacillus fermentum from Human Colonic Mucosa

Abstract

Probiotics, although not a new concept, has only recently begun to receive an increasing level of scientific interest as an alternative to antibiotics as well as prophylactics in humans. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits to the host. Probiotic bacteria have been credited with a number of beneficial effects within the host including: maintenance of homeostasis in the gut, production of antimicrobial compounds, control of blood cholesterol levels, the suppression of allergies, prevention of cancers of the colon and modulation of immune function. Antimicrobial and anticancerous effects of a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus fermentum isolated from normal human colonic mucosa have been carried out here in a series of in vitro experiments. The main objectives of the study were isolation and identification of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from human colonic mucosa, evaluation of the probiotic potential of the bacterial strain, study of the anti- microbial potential of the probiotic strain and demonstration of the anti cancer activity of the bacterial strain by in vitro experiments LAB are among the dominant bacteria in the colon. Lactobacilli colonize the intestine and contribute to the appropriate defence against external antigens, pathogenic bacteria, or viruses. LAB have also proven to reduce risk of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as diarrheal illnesses. LAB exert their antibacterial activity through the production of lactic acid, 2-pyrrolidone 5-carboxylic acid, and other metabolites such as hydrogen peroxide, short-chain fatty acids, and bacteriocins such as nisin, reuterin and plantaricin. LAB produce a number of adhesion factors such as the mucus-binding protein, mucus adhesion promoting protein, elongation factor Tu, chaperone GroEL, surface associated proteins, and aggregation promoting factors. Several studies indicate that LAB prevent the attachment of pathogens and thereby reduce their replication..