Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/7915

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    Functional Significance of Probiotic Bacterial Interactions with Milk Fat Globules in a Human Host
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2025-02) Wasana WP; Waterland M; Everett DW; Thum C; Comi G
    Dairy products often serve as matrices for delivering probiotic bacteria to humans through the diet; however, little is known about the impact of milk fat globules on the growth and survival of probiotic microorganisms. This review discusses current knowledge on the structure and functionality of the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) and the structural components contributing to the mechanisms of interactions with probiotic bacteria. We analyzed studies published between 2001 and 2025 with reference to earlier foundational research on probiotics and MFGM structure to explore the functional significance of MFGM–probiotic interactions. Recent research indicates that the effects of MFGM interaction with bacteria are species-specific and may influence probiotic activity in the host, including enhancing probiotic viability during intestinal transit and modulating probiotic colonization. In general, research findings suggest that the MFGM holds potential for use as a probiotic carrier to the gut with beneficial health consequences.
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    Oxalate-Degrading Bacillus subtilis Mitigates Urolithiasis in a Drosophila melanogaster Model.
    (American Society for Microbiology, 2020-10-01) Al KF; Daisley BA; Chanyi RM; Bjazevic J; Razvi H; Reid G; Burton JP
    Kidney stones affect nearly 10% of the population in North America and are associated with high morbidity and recurrence, yet novel prevention strategies are lacking. Recent evidence suggests that the human gut microbiota can influence the development of nephrolithiasis, although clinical trials have been limited and inconclusive in determining the potential for microbially based interventions. Here, we used an established Drosophila melanogaster model of urolithiasis as a high-throughput screening platform for evaluation of the therapeutic potential of oxalate-degrading bacteria in calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis. The results demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis 168 (BS168) is a promising candidate based on its preferential growth in high oxalate concentrations, its ability to stably colonize the D. melanogaster intestinal tract for as long as 5 days, and its prevention of oxalate-induced microbiota dysbiosis. Single-dose BS168 supplementation exerted beneficial effects on D. melanogaster for as long as 14 days, decreasing stone burden in dissected Malpighian tubules and fecal excreta while increasing survival and behavioral markers of health over those of nonsupplemented lithogenic controls. These findings were complemented by in vitro experiments using the established MDCK renal cell line, which demonstrated that BS168 pretreatment prevented increased CaOx crystal adhesion and aggregation. Taking our results together, this study supports the notion that BS168 can functionally reduce CaOx stone burden in vivo through its capacity for oxalate degradation. Given the favorable safety profile of many B. subtilis strains already used as digestive aids and in fermented foods, these findings suggest that BS168 could represent a novel therapeutic adjunct to reduce the incidence of recurrent CaOx nephrolithiasis in high-risk patients.IMPORTANCE Kidney stone disease is a morbid condition that is increasing in prevalence, with few nonsurgical treatment options. The majority of stones are composed of calcium oxalate. Unlike humans, some microbes can break down oxalate, suggesting that microbial therapeutics may provide a novel treatment for kidney stone patients. This study demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis 168 (BS168) decreased stone burden, improved health, and complemented the microbiota in a Drosophila melanogaster urolithiasis model, while not exacerbating calcium oxalate aggregation or adhesion to renal cells in vitro These results identify this bacterium as a candidate for ameliorating stone formation; given that other strains of B. subtilis are components of fermented foods and are used as probiotics for digestive health, strain 168 warrants testing in humans. With the severe burden that recurrent kidney stone disease imposes on patients and the health care system, this microbial therapeutic approach could provide an inexpensive therapeutic adjunct.
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    Advancements in Non-Thermal Processing Technologies for Enhancing Safety and Quality of Infant and Baby Food Products: A Review
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2024-09) Pasdar N; Mostashari P; Greiner R; Khelfa A; Rashidinejad A; Eshpari H; Vale JM; Gharibzahedi SMT; Roohinejad S; Moreno DA; Baenas N
    Breast milk is the main source of nutrition during early life, but both infant formulas (Ifs; up to 12 months) and baby foods (BFs; up to 3 years) are also important for providing essential nutrients. The infant food industry rigorously controls for potential physical, biological, and chemical hazards. Although thermal treatments are commonly used to ensure food safety in IFs and BFs, they can negatively affect sensory qualities, reduce thermosensitive nutrients, and lead to chemical contaminant formation. To address these challenges, non-thermal processing technologies such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, radio frequency, and ultrasound offer efficient pathogen destruction similar to traditional thermal methods, while reducing the production of key process-induced toxicants such as furan and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural (HMF). These alternative thermal processes aim to overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods while retaining their advantages. This review paper highlights the growing global demand for healthy, sustainable foods, driving food manufacturers to adopt innovative and efficient processing techniques for both IFs and BFs. Based on various studies reviewed for this work, the application of these novel technologies appears to reduce thermal processing intensity, resulting in products with enhanced sensory properties, comparable shelf life, and improved visual appeal compared to conventionally processed products.
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    Effect of Fluidized Bed Drying, Matrix Constituents and Structure on the Viability of Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 55544 during Storage at 4 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-01) Poddar D; Palmer J; Das S; Gaare M; Nag A; Singh H; Succi M; Sorrentino E
    The stabilization of probiotics for application in non-refrigerated food products is a challenging task. In the present study, probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei) ATCC 55544 cells were immobilized in a dairy matrix comprising of whole milk powder, skim milk powder, or milk protein isolate using fluidized bed drying technology. The samples were taken out at different drying stages, with an apparent water activity (aw) of aw 0.5, aw 0.4, and aw 0.3, respectively, and vacuum-packed to maintain the aw and stored at three different temperatures of 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C. The study evaluated the impact of matrix constituents, milk fat, protein, and carbohydrate on the viability of encapsulated probiotic L . paracasei ATCC 55544 during storage for 1 month. The whole milk powder matrix provided superior protection to the bacteria. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) was used to investigate the structure of the immobilizing matrix and the location of the probiotic L. paracasei cells embedded within the matrix. The CLSM study revealed that the probiotic bacterial cells are mostly embedded as clusters beneath the top layer. We hypothesize that the biofilm-like structure, together with the protective whole milk powder matrix, helps to retain the superior viability of probiotic cells during storage at non-refrigerated storage conditions of 25 °C and 37 °C.
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    Influence of Operating Conditions on Reuterin Production Using Resting Cells of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DPC16
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-05-16) Sun Y; Gutierrez-Maddox N; Mutukumira AN; Maddox IS; Shu Q; Raganati F; Procentese A
    Limosilactobacillus reuteri strains can secrete a potentially valuable chemical and broadspectrum antimicrobial substance named reuterin (3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, 3-HPA). L. reuteri DPC16 is a novel and patented probiotic strain that is used commercially because of its proven ability to kill various foodborne pathogens. A two-step process has been developed for reuterin production from glycerol using L. reuteri DPC16. Cells were grown, followed by harvesting, and then were incubated with glycerol for reuterin production. Parameters investigated during the glycerol conversion included the initial glycerol concentration, the biomass concentration, pH, culture age at harvesting, conversion time, and temperature. The highest reuterin yield was obtained using 21 g/L 24 h old cells, to convert glycerol solution (300 mmol/L) in 1 h at 30◦ C and pH 6.2. The most efficient transformation of glycerol to reuterin was achieved in approximately 20 h of growth of cells at 25◦ C and pH 6.8. Using the regression equation of this study, the maximum concentration of reuterin can be obtained using 25 g/L 20 h old DPC6 cells to ferment 350 mmol/L glycerol (initial concentration) for 2 h at 25◦ C and pH 6.8 The ranking of effects on reuterin production for the six single factors was glycerol concentration > pH > conversion time > biomass concentration > temperature > culture age.
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    The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis and Resilience to Developing Anxiety or Depression under Stress
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2021-03-31) Bear T; Dalziel J; Coad J; Roy N; Butts C; Gopal P; Adeli K
    Episodes of depression and anxiety commonly follow the experience of stress, however not everyone who experiences stress develops a mood disorder. Individuals who are able to experience stress without a negative emotional effect are considered stress resilient. Stress-resilience (and its counterpart stress-susceptibility) are influenced by several psychological and biological factors, including the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Emerging research shows that the gut microbiota can influence mood, and that stress is an important variable in this relationship. Stress alters the gut microbiota and plausibly this could contribute to stress-related changes in mood. Most of the reported research has been conducted using animal models and demonstrates a relationship between gut microbiome and mood. The translational evidence from human clinical studies however is rather limited. In this review we examine the microbiome-gut-brain axis research in relation to stress resilience.