Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria on the Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Ginsenosides in Mice

This study aims to investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on in vitro and in vivo metabolism and the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides in mice. When the in vitro fermentation test of RGE with LAB was carried out, protopanaxadiol (PPD) and protopanaxadiol (PPD), which are final metabolites of ginsenosides but not contained in RGE, were greatly increased. Compound K (CK), ginsenoside Rh1 (GRh1), and GRg3 also increased by about 30%. Other ginsenosides with a sugar number of more than 2 showed a gradual decrease by fermentation with LAB for 7 days, suggesting the involvement of LAB in the deglycosylation of ginsenosides. Incubation of single ginsenoside with LAB produced GRg3, CK, and PPD with the highest formation rate and GRd, GRh2, and GF with the lower rate among PPD-type ginsenosides. Among PPT-type ginsenosides, GRh1 and PPT had the highest formation rate. The amoxicillin pretreatment (20 mg/kg/day, twice a day for 3 days) resulted in a significant decrease in the fecal recovery of CK, PPD, and PPT through the blockade of deglycosylation of ginsenosides after single oral administrations of RGE (2 g/kg) in mice. The plasma concentrations of CK, PPD, and PPT were not detectable without change in GRb1, GRb2, and GRc in this group. LAB supplementation (1 billion CFU/2 g/kg/day for 1 week) after the amoxicillin treatment in mice restored the ginsenoside metabolism and the plasma concentrations of ginsenosides to the control level. In conclusion, the alterations in the gut microbiota environment could change the ginsenoside metabolism and plasma concentrations of ginsenosides. Therefore, the supplementation of LAB with oral administrations of RGE would help increase plasma concentrations of deglycosylated ginsenosides such as CK, PPD, and PPT.

In vitro fermentation test bed for evaluation of engineered probiotics in polymicrobial communities

In vitro fermentation systems offer significant opportunity for deconvoluting complex metabolic dynamics within polymicrobial communities, particularly those associated with the human gut microbiome. In vitro gut models have broad experimental capacity allowing rapid evaluation of multiple parameters, generating knowledge to inform design of subsequent in vivo studies. Here, our method describes an in vitro fermentation test bed to provide a physiologically-relevant assessment of engineered probiotics circuit design functions. Typically, engineered probiotics are evaluated under pristine, monoor co-culture conditions and transitioned directly into animal or human studies, commonly resulting in a loss of desired function when introduced to complex gut communities. Our method encompasses a systematic workflow entailing fermentation, molecular and functional characterization, and statistical analyses to validate an engineered probiotic’s persistence, plasmid stability and reporter response. To demonstrate the workflow, simplified polymicrobial communities of human gut microbial commensals were utilized to investigate the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 engineered to produce a fluorescent reporter protein. Commensals were assembled with increasing complexity to produce a mock community based on nutrient utilization. The method assesses engineered probiotic persistence in a competitive growth environment, reporter production and function, effect of engineering on organism growth and influence on commensal composition. The in vitro test bed represents a new element within the Design-Build-Test-Learn paradigm, providing physiologically-relevant feedback for circuit re-design and experimental validation for transition of engineered probiotics to higher fidelity animal or human studies.

Incidence and Prevalence of Candidiasis in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients

The aim of our present study was to estimate the prevalence of Candida infection in foot ulcer patients and spectrum of Candida species and their drug resistant pattern. A total of 100 Swabs was taken from diabetic foot ulcer patients from January 2016 to June 2016. Samples were cultured on SDA agar medium. Candida spp. were differentiated by culture on Hi CHROM agar, Sugar assimilation test, fermentation test and antifungal sensitivity test. Out of 100 samples obtained from diabetic patients with a foot ulcer, 32 (32%) were positive for Candida sp by culture. It was more significant in males 22 (68.75%) than females 10 (31.25%) Candida albicans was found to be the predominant isolate followed by C.tropicalis. Resistance to fluconazole was observed 17 (17%) in our study. C.albicans was more resistant to azoles than non albicans. Our results will help physicians to treat fungal infections of diabetic foot ulcers, as well as their drug resistant pattern. Fluconazole resistance is a public health concern and the rational use of this drug is important in community.

Identifikasi Staphylococcus aureus Pada Abon Sapi Di Pasar Pahing Kota Kediri

Contamination of processed beef foods such as abon can be caused by various types of microbes, one of which is Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus can cause various infections, both on the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or endocarditis. The objective of this research was to determine the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in beef abon sold in Pahing Market, Kediri. Abon used is non-branded beef abon which is as many as 10 samples obtained by total sampling technique. Samples were tested by observation of colony morphology through Gram staining, mannitol fermentation test, catalase and coagulase test, and acetoin test. The samples were inoculated on Broth NaCl (ink. 24 hour-37°C), then inoculated on MSA (ink. 24 hour-37°C), and VP (ink. 2x24 hours-37°C). Catalase and coagulase tests were carried out by taking colonies on MSA media. The results showed that there were 9 abon samples contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus as indicated by Gram positive staining results, positive (perfect) mannitol fermentation, and positive acetoin, catalase, and coagulase test. The causes of contamination are contaminated abon ingredients, the manufacturing process using less sterile tools, poor handling and processing, processing food with dirty hands, food stored without cover, sick food processors, and dirty markets

An Investigation of Petrol Metabolizing Bacteria Isolated from Contaminated Soil Samples Collected from Various Fuel Stations

The present study aimed to isolate the high-efficiency petrol metabolizing thermophilic bacteria from petrol contaminated soil samples. Isolation was carried out through enrichment culture, serial dilution and pour plate methods using the petrol supplemented minimal salt media. The isolated bacteria were analyzed to document growth behavior, petrol removal efficiencies, antibiotic resistance profile, and biochemical characteristics. The 16S rRNA based phylogenetic analysis helped to reveal the identity of isolated bacterial species and construct the phylogenetic trees. Total nine bacteria were isolated, out of which three (IUBP2, IUBP3, IUBP5) were identified as Brevibacillus formosus, one (IUBP1) was found similar to Brevibacillus agri, four (IUBP7, IUBP8, IUBP13, and IUBP14) shared homology with Burkholderia lata, and one (IUBP15) with Burkholderia pyrrocinia. All the isolates were fast growing and exhibited considerable petrol degradation potential. The highest petrol removal efficiency (69.5% ± 13.44/6 days) was recorded for the strain IUBP15 at a petrol concentration of 0.1% (v/v). All bacteria studied (100%) were positive for esculinase and phosphatase. Many strains exhibited positive responses for arginine dehydrolase (22%), β-naphthylamidase (11%), β-D-glucosaminide (33%), mannitol (55%), sorbitol (66%) and inulin (88%) fermentation test. While all were sensitive to the antibiotics, some of them were found resistant against chloramphenicol and oxacillin. The remarkable biochemical characteristics and considerable petrol removal potential (40–70%) highlights utilization of the bacteria isolated for petrol bioremediation, mineralization of organophosphates, dairy and food industry, and also as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents.

The Chaaracteristics Yeast Isolated from Commercial Kefir Grain, Indonesia

The objective of this study was to investigate yeast characteristics obtained from commercial grain kefir from Indonesian. Isolation based on macroscopic morphology and microscopic morphology. The first method of research is activation of kefir grain using 10% reconstitution milk, yeast growth on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA-Agar) medium, yeast coloration by using Lactophenol cotton blue. Then, yeast identification was done by macroscopic and microscopic morphology. Macroscopic morphological observations are observations of colony morphology at the time of isolation and purification, including size, shape, texture, color, surface, elevation, and edges. Microscopic morphological observations include cell shape, budding (budding) which first make preparations with yeast coloring then observed with Zeiss Asio Imager A2 Microscope using Zeiss Axiocam HRC camera. Macroscopic observation of yeast size description colony very small, small, medium, large, colony form is round, the margin is raised, the elevation is entire, the texture is smooth and surface glistening, cream colony color, and yeast smell characteristic. Microscopic observation seen there is cell nucleus, oval, there is pseudohypa, budding, gram-positive, urea test negative, glucose, lactose, maltose fermentation test positive, sucrose fermentation test negative, growth test on liquid media growth in surface medium (pellicle), and bottom medium (sediment). Based on the morphological observations in macroscopic and microscopic yeast identified genus Saccharomyces.

Influence of environmental disturbances on the bacteriological quality of Pagbanganan river in Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines

Microorganisms like bacteria are frequently used as indicators of water quality in freshwater ecosystems. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the total coliforms (TC) and total aerobic heterotrophic bacteria (TAHB) present in the upstream (Kantagnos), midstream (lgang), and downstream (Kan-ipa) of Pagbanganan River. The most probable number (MPN/100 mL) of TC was determined through multiple tube fermentation test while counts of TAHB present in both water and sediments were enumerated by serial dilution and plating methods. MPN of TC revealed that the river water should not be used as a source of public water supply and as a venue for contact recreational activities like bathing and swimming. Furthermore, TAHB in the sediments of the river did not differ significantly across sites although their values showed a decreasing trend. Conversely, TAHB in the water column of the river significantly increased from upstream to downstream. These results are most probably influenced by the quarrying activities present in the area. In the upstream where there is no quarrying activity, TAHB was higher in sediment than in the water, while in the downstream where quarrying activities are present, it is otherwise. Because of these significant differences, it is believed that the ratios of TAHB present in the water column and sediments are potential indicators of sediment disturbance in the aquatic environment. The results of this study imply that proper management of Pagbanganan River by all sectors of the community is needed to keep it sustainable for safe use.