Probiotic bacteria from Pollen : Selection, Characterization and in vitro Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

In this research, microbiological quality control of pollen samples was investigated. TAMC ranged from 3.00 to 5.80 Log CFU/g. TMYC was between 2.3 and about 7 Log CFU/g. However, Staphylococcus aureus was recovered with high density (up to 8.32 Log CFU/g). Enterobactericeae count ranges from 3.00 to more than 8 Log CFU/g. In addition, samples contain pathogenic members of Enterobacteriaceae and potent toxinogenic molds Furthermore, 567 isolates of lactic acid bacteria were recovered from raw bee pollen grains. Based on antagonistic activity, neutralized supernatants of 54 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) cultures from 216 active isolates inhibited the growth of indicator bacteria. They were phenotypically characterized and seven clusters with other two members were defined at the 79% similarity level. Partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of representative isolates, 10 strains were assigned to seven species: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus ingluviei, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactobacillus acidipiscis and Weissella cibaria. After that, 10 Lactobacillus isolates identified, by phenotypic and genotypic methods, were selected for further evaluation of their probiotic properties. At pH 2, only tow strains (Lactobacillus sp. BH1398 and BH1480) that could not recovered after three hours. In addition, at pH 3 all strains could grow and resist the acidic conditions. It seems that, 0.3% and 0.5% of bile salts does not affect greatly the survival of most strains, excluding Lactobacillus sp. BH1398. In contrast, in the presence of 1.0% bile salts, survival of five strains was decreased by more than 50 %. In addition, all strains were resistant to colistine, clindamycine, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacine, but most of the strains were susceptible to peniciline, oxacillin, Oxytetracyclin, and amoxicillin. Finally, Lactobacillus fermentum BH1509 was investigated for its inhibitory effect against two Helicobacter pylori strains. The bactericidal activity of spent culture supernatants (SCS) was measured. The strain BH1509 produced a small bacteriocin, designated Bac-F15. After partial purification by ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G-50 chromatography, the approximate molecular weight of Bac-F15 was estimated by SDS-PAGE between 4100 and 6500 Da. It displayed a wide inhibitory spectrum against food-spoiling bacteria and food-borne pathogens. The antibacterial activity of cell-free culture supernatant fluid was not affected by catalase or lipase but was abolished by the proteolytic enzymes proteinase K, trypsin and pronase E. Bac-F15 was heat stable (10 min at 100°C) and showed inhibitory activity over a wide pH range (from 4.0 to 8.0). It has a bactericidal action as evidenced by its action upon Helicobacter pylori strains. The bacteriocin and its producer, Lactobacillus fermentum BHB1509, may be useful antimicrobial materials to control gastrointestinal infections caused by Helicobacter pylori.