Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pieter Van den Abbeele, Cindy Duysburgh, Jonas Ghyselinck, Shellen Goltz, Yulia Berezhnaya, Thomas Boileau, Anke De Blaiser, Massimo Marzorati
Summary: Synbiotic combinations of BB-12 with fructans, especially low DP fructans, show promising effects on gastrointestinal health by increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria and reducing the numbers of harmful bacteria in the gut. Fermentation of fructans by BB-12 leads to increased production of acetate and lactate, contributing to a healthier gut environment.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Danica Bajic, Frank Wiens, Eva Wintergerst, Stef Deyaert, Aurelien Baudot, Pieter Van den Abbeele
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) on the gut microbiota of 6-year-old children and adults, compared to prebiotics inulin (IN) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS). The results showed that HMOs increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and had different effects on microbiota composition in different age groups. This study suggests that HMOs have the potential to modulate the gut microbiota and blends of different HMOs could maximize treatment effects.
Article
Microbiology
Zhi Zhong, Hai Tang, Tingting Shen, Xinwei Ma, Feiyan Zhao, Lai-Yu Kwok, Zhihong Sun, Menghe Bilige, Heping Zhang
Summary: This study provides direct evidence of mother-to-infant bacterial transmission through lactation and sheds light on the impact of milk microbiota on the colonization of the infant gut.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Tarkan Karakan, Kieran Michael Tuohy, Gwendolyn Janssen-van Solingen
Summary: Low doses of lactulose can serve as a prebiotic to stimulate the growth of health-promoting gut bacteria, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, increase the production of beneficial metabolites, improve mineral absorption, and demonstrate good overall tolerability.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Porntipha Vitheejongjaroen, Anongnard Kasorn, Narathip Puttarat, Fabien Loison, Malai Taweechotipatr
Summary: The results of this study suggest that B. animalis MSMC83 has a beneficial role in alleviating oxidative stress in rats by increasing the expression of antioxidant enzymes and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. It also restores microbiota diversity after D-galactose injection.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaomeng You, Asha Rani, Ezgi Ozcan, Yang Lyu, David A. Sela
Summary: Human milk shapes the microbiota in the infant gut, and urea in milk may serve as a nitrogen source for the microbiota. Bifidobacterium infantis strains are capable of utilizing urea nitrogen and play a role in infant nutrition and development. Isotopically labeled urea nitrogen can be incorporated into microbial products for infant host utilization.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Rika Hirano, Mikiyasu Sakanaka, Kazuto Yoshimi, Naohisa Sugimoto, Syogo Eguchi, Yuko Yamauchi, Misaki Nara, Shingo Maeda, Yuta Ami, Aina Gotoh, Takane Katayama, Noriho Iida, Tamotsu Kato, Hiroshi Ohno, Satoru Fukiya, Atsushi Yokota, Mamoru Nishimoto, Motomitsu Kitaoka, Hiroyuki Nakai, Shin Kurihara
Summary: The study identified Gal-beta 1,4-Rha as a next-generation prebiotic candidate that selectively promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium without stimulating the growth of other prominent bacteria and pathogens. This prebiotic was found to suppress the growth of the enteric pathogen Clostridioides difficile, indicating its potential for preventing infections and improving gut health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuya Nakamura, Shinya Suzuki, Shinnosuke Murakami, Yuichiro Nishimoto, Koichi Higashi, Naoki Watarai, Junpei Umetsu, Chiharu Ishii, Yutaro Ito, Yuka Mori, Mamiko Kohno, Takuji Yamada, Shinji Fukuda
Summary: This study investigated the intestinal microbiome and metabolome profiles related to the effectiveness of B. longum BB536 supplementation in increasing bowel movement frequency. The findings suggest that these profiles might be used as potential markers for improved bowel movement after B. longum BB536 supplementation.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jiaman Pang, Yisi Liu, Luyuan Kang, Hao Ye, Jianjun Zang, Junjun Wang, Dandan Han
Summary: This study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis promotes growth in weaning piglets by improving gut development, increasing beneficial bacteria abundances, and declining pathogens populations.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Weilin Liao, Imran Khan, Guoxin Huang, Shengshuang Chen, Liang Liu, Wai Kit Leong, Xiao Ang Li, Jianlin Wu, W. L. Wendy Hsiao
Summary: Colorectal cancer ranks the third most common cancer type in both men and women, with disturbed gut microbes potentially contributing to its onset and progression. Maintaining a balanced gut microbiota has become a novel pursuit in the medical field, particularly in gastrointestinal disorders. Gynostemma pentaphyllum saponins have shown prebiotic and cancer-preventive properties through modulation of gut microbiota, with the specific bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis demonstrating anticancer and cancer-preventive activities.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Elizabeth Drey, Car Reen Kok, Robert Hutkins
Summary: This study identified Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum strains capable of growth on high DP XOS and xylan, displaying a rare primary degrader phenotype. These strains contained an extracellular xylanase that enabled them to act as primary degraders of xylan through extracellular enzymatic degradation, giving them a competitive advantage.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jing Cheng, Arja Laitila, Arthur C. Ouwehand
Summary: This review investigates the roles of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (B. lactis HN019 (TM)) in gut health and its mechanisms of action. Research supports the hypothesis that B. lactis HN019 (TM) has a beneficial role in maintaining intestinal barrier function and normal physiological function in immunosenescent elderly, as well as reducing intestinal transit time and increasing bowel movement frequency in functional constipation.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kemin Mao, Jie Gao, Xianghong Wang, Xiyu Li, Shuo Geng, Tuo Zhang, Faizan Ahmed Sadiq, Yaxin Sang
Summary: This study confirms the effects of BB-12 on gut microbiota disorders caused by a high-fat diet. BB-12 was found to improve the composition of gut microbiota and prevent obesity.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Lingyan Ma, Aqian Zheng, Liyang Ni, Lianxin Wu, Luting Hu, Yufeng Zhao, Zhengwei Fu, Yinhua Ni
Summary: The longevity-promoting probiotic strain LKM512 shows potential in improving hepatic lipid accumulation, reducing inflammation, and enhancing insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. It also has an impact on the composition and function of gut microbiota in these mice.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chaowu Yang, Mohan Qiu, Zengrong Zhang, Xiaoyan Song, Li Yang, Xia Xiong, Chenming Hu, Han Pen, Jialei Chen, Bo Xia, Huarui Du, Qingyun Li, Xiaosong Jiang, Chunlin Yu
Summary: This study investigates the effects of prebiotics on the flavor of chicken meat. Prebiotic supplementation improves fat synthesis and starch hydrolysis, enhancing meat flavor. The prebiotics also alter the gut microbiota composition, particularly the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla. The findings suggest that prebiotics have potential applications in improving chicken meat quality.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Juarez-Fernandez, Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, David Porras, Maria Victoria Garcia-Mediavilla, Miren Bravo, Marina Serrano-Macia, Jorge Simon, Teresa C. Delgado, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Susana Martinez-Florez, Oscar Lorenzo, Mercedes Rincon, Marta Varela-Rey, Leticia Abecia, Hector Rodriguez, Juan Anguita, Esther Nistal, Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar, Sonia Sanchez-Campos
Summary: This study provides evidence for the relevance of the interaction between mitochondria and microbiota in NASH and identifies targeting this interaction as a valuable therapeutic approach.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lidia Delgado, Cristiano Garino, Francisco Javier Moreno, Jutta Zagon, Hermann Broll
Summary: The 'Farm-to-Fork' strategy aims to transition to a sustainable and fair food system. Insects, as ideal sources of protein, play an important role in agriculture. However, their entry into the EU market requires authorization and risk assessment. Insect farming is expanding in Europe, but consumers require comprehensive information and protection.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ewen Mullins, Jean-Louis Bresson, Tamas Dalmay, Ian Crawford Dewhurst, Michelle M. Epstein, Leslie George Firbank, Philippe Guerche, Jan Hejatko, Francisco Javier Moreno, Hanspeter Naegeli, Fabien Nogue, Nils Rostoks, Jose Juan Sanchez Serrano, Giovanni Savoini, Eve Veromann, Fabio Veronesi, Michele Ardizzone, Giacomo De Sanctis, Silvia Federici, Antonio Fernandez Dumont, Andrea Gennaro, Jose Angel Gomez Ruiz, Tilemachos Goumperis, Anna Lanzoni, Paolo Lenzi, Aleksandra Lewandowska, Ana Martin Camargo, Franco Maria Neri, Nikoletta Papadopoulou, Konstantinos Paraskevopoulos, Tommaso Raffaello
Summary: Genetically modified maize MON 87419 was developed to tolerate certain herbicides, and its safety in terms of food/feed consumption and environmental impact has been assessed. The analyses show that there are no significant differences between MON 87419 and conventional maize, and the levels of arginine and protein do not raise any safety or nutritional concerns. The expressed proteins in MON 87419 do not pose any toxic or allergenic risks. Overall, MON 87419 is considered as safe as its conventional counterpart and non-GM maize varieties.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ines Calvete-Torre, Carlos Sabater, Susana Delgado, Patricia Ruas-Madiedo, Alicia Ruperez-Garcia, Antonia Montilla, F. Javier Moreno, Abelardo Margolles, Lorena Ruiz
Summary: Arabinoxylan (AX) and arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS) are prebiotics that promote beneficial species in the human gut, such as bifidobacteria. Bifidobacterium longum and B. longum subsp. longum have the highest capability to metabolize complex AX substrates, while B. longum subsp. infantis also possesses some machinery related to AXOS metabolization. A differential carbohydrate free medium (CFM) supplemented with AX and AXOS was developed to selectively isolate novel probiotic bifidobacteria that can metabolize structurally complex AX-derived prebiotics.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Naroa Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, Miren Bravo, Leire Egia-Mendikute, Leticia Abecia, Marina Serrano-Macia, Rocio G. Urdinguio, Marc Clos-Garcia, Ruben Rodriguez-Agudo, Raquel Araujo-Legido, Lucia Lopez-Bermudo, Teresa C. Delgado, Sofia Lachiondo-Ortega, Irene Gonzalez-Recio, Claudia Gil-Pitarch, Ainize Pena-Cearra, Jorge Simon, Raquel Benede-Ubieto, Silvia Arino, Jose M. Herranz, Mikel Azkargorta, Julio Salazar-Bermeo, Nuria Marti, Marta Varela-Rey, Juan M. Falcon-Perez, Oscar Lorenzo, Ruben Nogueiras, Felix Elortza, Yulia A. Nevzorova, Francisco J. Cubero, Domingo Saura, Luis Alfonso Martinez-Cruz, Guadalupe Sabio, Asis Palazon, Pau Sancho-Bru, Natalia Elguezabal, Mario F. Fraga, Matias A. Avila, Ramon Bataller, Jose J. G. Marin, Franz Martin, Maria Luz Martinez-Chantar
Summary: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), accounting for 70% of liver-related deaths in Europe, has no effective approved therapies. However, targeting methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ) may help in recovering mitochondrial fitness without collateral oxidative damage. Liver-specific MCJ silencing can prevent major ALD hallmarks, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, steatosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, improving lipid metabolism and liver injury.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pablo G. Toral, Leticia Abecia, Gonzalo Hervas, David R. Yanez-Ruiz, Pilar Frutos
Summary: This study used metabolomics to investigate the differences between high-feed efficient and low-feed efficient lactating ewes, finding that amino acid metabolism plays a significant role in feed efficiency.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria J. Garcia-Sarrio, Maria L. Sanz, Jesus Pala-Paul, Silvia Diaz, Ana C. Soria
Summary: A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was optimized to obtain multifunctional extracts from Mentha sp. leaves, which showed improved antioxidant properties and optimal antimicrobial activity for the first time. Water was selected as the extractant to develop a green procedure and enhance the bioactive properties. The optimized MAE conditions were applied to extract bioactives from 6 different Mentha species, and the resulting extracts were analyzed to characterize phenolics and assess their activities against various microorganisms.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adal Mena-Garcia, Diego Herrero-Gutierrez, Maria L. Sanz, Marina Diez-Municio, Ana I. Ruiz-Matute
Summary: Food supplements made from saffron extracts are popular due to their various bioactive properties, and it is important to standardize these extracts to ensure product quality and safety. The current methods of standardization, which focus on the safranal content, may not provide accurate measurements. This study suggests using crocin isomers and trans-/cis-crocins, as well as the trans-4 GG/picrocrocin ratios, as new criteria for saffron extract standardization. The relative content of these components and their stability over 36 months in a commercial standardized saffron extract were successfully demonstrated.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ana Munoz-Labrador, Oswaldo Hernandez-Hernandez, F. Javier Moreno
Summary: The rapid increase in the worldwide prevalence of obesity and certain non-communicable diseases has been mainly attributed to excessive sugar consumption. Sweeteners, as sugar substitutes, have fewer calories and stronger sweetness, making them valuable alternatives to sugar. Compounds found in Stevia rebaudiana and Siraitia grosvenorii have flavor advantages and various biological benefits.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Laura Plaza-Vinuesa, Ana Sanchez-Arroyo, F. Javier Moreno, Blanca de las Rivas, Rosario Munoz
Summary: Intestinal lactic acid bacteria can alleviate lactose maldigestion by promoting lactose hydrolysis. This study found that protein extracts from probiotic bacterium Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 possess two metabolic pathways for lactose metabolism, involving β-galactosidase (β-gal) and 6P β-galactosidase (6P β-gal) activities. One of the proteins, Lp_3525, exhibited high 6P β-galactosidase activity and may play a role in lactose maldigestion management.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
I. Jimenez-Amezcua, A. Gonzalez-Prada, M. Diez-Municio, A. C. Soria, A. I. Ruiz-Matute, M. L. Sanz
Summary: In this study, the simultaneous extraction of bioactives from aged garlic for use as food ingredients was optimized. The analytical methods using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography were also optimized. A successful microwave-assisted extraction method was developed and shown as a viable alternative for the extraction of bioactives from aged garlic.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ines Calvete-Torre, Carlos Sabater, Antonia Montilla, F. Javier Moreno, Sabino Riestra, Abelardo Margolles, Lorena Ruiz
Summary: Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is a by-product of brewing industries with rich nutritional value. Despite some initiatives, BSG is mainly used for animal feed and landfill due to its underexploited potential for human nutrition. BSG contains AX that can confer health benefits through modulating the gut microbiome. This study investigated the effects of BSG and AX fractions on the gut microbiota of two population groups. The results showed that different AX fractions had diverse modulatory capacities on the gut microbiome.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ainize Pena-Cearra, Deguang Song, Janire Castelo, Ainhoa Palacios, Jose Luis Lavin, Mikel Azkargorta, Felix Elortza, Miguel Fuertes, Miguel Angel Pascual-Itoiz, Diego Barriales, Itziar Martin-Ruiz, Asier Fullaondo, Ana M. Aransay, Hector Rodriguez, Noah W. Palm, Juan Anguita, Leticia Abecia
Summary: There is potential association between mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The bidirectional interaction between the intestinal microbiota and host mitochondria may affect intestinal inflammation. The study shows that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from MCJ-deficient mice to germ-free mice increases susceptibility to colitis. Furthermore, the study identifies potential microbial signatures associated with complex I deficiency and disease progression.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ainize Pena-Cearra, Janire Castelo, Jose Luis Lavin, Monika Gonzalez-Lopez, Miguel Angel Pascual-Itoiz, Miguel Fuertes, Virginia Gutierrez de Juan, Laura Barcena, Itziar Martin-Ruiz, Aize Pellon, Iratxe Seoane, Diego Barriales, Ainhoa Palacios, Asier Fullaondo, Iago Rodriguez-Lago, Maria L. Martinez-Chantar, Ana M. Aransay, Hector Rodriguez, Juan Anguita, Leticia Abecia
Summary: Anti-TNF therapy is effective in inducing and maintaining remission in intestinal bowel disease. However, a certain percentage of patients do not respond to this therapy. This study suggests that the absence of MCJ, a natural inhibitor of respiratory chain Complex I, leads to changes in gut microbiota, which is a critical determinant of the lack of response in a mouse model of inflammation. The study also highlights the role of macrophage mitochondrial function in the gut ecological niche in affecting the severity of inflammation and the response to current therapies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Adal Mena-Garcia, Maria L. Sanz, Marina Diez-Municio, Ana I. Ruiz-Matute
Summary: Considering the interest in the bioactive properties of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a new multianalytical strategy using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography with diode array detection coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) was developed and validated to detect frauds affecting saffron-based food supplements (SFS). The results showed discrepancies between declared content and actual content in 65% of the cases, indicating a high susceptibility to adulteration. The multianalytical methodology also identified undeclared additives and the non-declared addition of vegetable sources other than saffron, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment of SFS quality.
