Propriétés Probiotiques et Technologiques Du Lactobacillus kunkeei

Abstract

Lactobacillus kunkeei, recently reclassified as Apilactobacillus kunkeei, is a lactic acid bacterium of significant ecological and biotechnological importance. This review summarizes its microbiological characteristics, probiotic properties, and potential applications. As a key component of the gut microbiome of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), it has evolved a unique fructose metabolic mechanism, enabling it to produce mannitol and acetic acid through heterolactic fermentation. Its probiotic relevance is highlighted by its ability to produce the bacteriocin kunkecin A, which inhibits the pathogen Melissococcus plutonius, and to enhance immune response by increasing immunoglobulin A secretion and reducing oxidative stress via activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In beekeeping, it has proven effective in reducing spores of the parasitic fungus Nosema ceranae by 66% and in resisting Paenibacillus larvae, offering an alternative to antibiotics. Meanwhile, it shows promising applications in human health, including combating dental caries in synergy with Streptococcus mutans and addressing metabolic disorders. However, despite precise molecular and functional data, clinical studies in humans remain limited, underscoring the need for translational research to confirm its industrial and medical applications.