Lactobacillus Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lactobacillus, including details on probiotics, digestion, diet, health, lactobacillus acidophilus.

Preparation and in vitro analysis of microencapsulated live Lactobacillus fermentum 11976 for augmentation of feruloyl esterase in the gastrointestinal tract.

Bhathena J, Kulamarva A, Martoni C, Urbanska AM, Prakash S

Biomedical Technology and Cell Therapy Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Artificial Cells and Organs Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, QC, Canada.

FA (ferulic acid) is a well-known phenolic phytochemical present in plant cell walls. Various studies have indicated that FA has many physiological functions in the prevention of chronic disease. It has been shown to play an important chemoprotective role in degenerative diseases. FA also shows strong antioxidant and nitrite-scavenging potential and anticarcinogenic and antiinflammatory properties. The in vivo physiological importance of FA depends on its availability for absorption. Dietary fibre-bound FA is partially released by gut micro-organisms; however, the concentration of the released FA is too low to act as a chemopreventive agent. Therefore it is important to augment the bioavailability of FA to appreciate more fully its real physiological effect. This paper evaluates the suitability of the alginate-poly(L-lysine)-alginate microcapsules for oral delivery of live feruloyl esterase-producing Lactobacillus fermentum 11976 cells, in vitro, by using a dynamic simulated human GI (gastrointestinal) model. The present study shows that microencapsulated L. fermentum 11976 cells can efficiently break down a FA-containing substrate, and establishes the biotechnological basis for their use in supplementing the bioavailability of dietary FA in the intestine.

Published 14 April 2008 in Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 50: 1-9.
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