In vitro fermentation of prebiotics by Lactobacillus plantarum CFR 2194: selectivity, viability and effect of metabolites on β-glucuronidase activity

Prebiotic Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) escape
metabolism in upper GI tract undergo microbial metabolism
in colon and thereby influence the nature, type and number of
intestinal microbiota to improve host’s health. The present
study focuses on the ability of Lactobacillus plantarum CFR
2194 to utilize FOS as a selective carbon and energy source.
The effect of fermentative metabolites of L. plantarum on the
b-glucuronidase was also investigated. A total of 16 strains
of lactobacilli were assessed for their ability to ferment oligosaccharides.
L. plantarum CFR 2194, an isolate from
kanjika was found to utilize FOS effectively. Lactic acid was
the main metabolic end product, followed by acetic acid,
butyric acid, formic acid and ethanol. The inhibitory effects
of these metabolites have been confirmed through the
reduction of b-glucuronidase activity. L. plantarum when
co-cultured with b-glucuronidase producing E. coli, in a
basal media containing FOS as an energy source, could
inhibit the growth of the pathogen during the course of fermentation.
The results showed that L. plantarum CFR 2194
has the ability to utilize the prebiotic FOS as a selective
carbon and energy source. The organism could inhibit the
growth of the pathogen which produces b-glucuronidase and
lowered its activity by the metabolites of FOS which indicates
the probable use of L. plantarum through dietary
intervention in combating colon carcinogenesis.