• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.902-910
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• 2024

The anti-cancer effects of heat-killed Enterococcus faecium KU22001 (KU22001), KU22002, and KU22005 isolated from human infant feces were investigated. The anti-proliferative activity of these strains against various cancer cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay. To determine the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) with potential anti-cancer effect, ethanol precipitation and phenol-sulfuric acid method was used with the cell free supernatant of strains grown at 25℃ or 37℃. The EPS yield of E. faecium strains was higher at 25℃ than at 37℃. Among these E. faecium strains, KU22001 grown at 25℃ was associated with the highest bax/bcl-2 ratio, effective apoptosis rate, cell cycle arrest in the G₀/G₁ phase, and condensation of the nucleus in the cervical cancer HeLa cell line. In conclusion, these results suggest that KU22001 can be beneficial owing to the anti-cancer effects and production of functional materials, such as EPS.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 2011

Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium are hazardous pathogens, especially for ready-toeat foods. For control of pathogens, the virulent bacteriophages were isolated, identified, and applied to infant formula milk and vegetable juice. The phages were isolated from swine feces and identified by morphology and molecular characteristics. ES2 phage for C. sakazakii and ST2 phage for S enterica Typhimurium were identified as Myoviridae and Siphoviridae, respectively. Their burst sizes were $52{\pm}5PFU/cell$ for ES2 phage and $21{\pm}3PFU/cell$ for ST2 phage after latent period of 30-40 minutes. ST2 phage showed higher heat stability at $60^{\circ}C$ than ES2 phage. ES2 phage held the growth of C. sakazakii untill 6 hr afterwhich the number decreased when applied to the infant formula milk and vegetable juice. ST2 phage also showed growth inhibition so that the number of S. enterica Typhimurium decreased. Therefore, virulent bacteriophages might be an agent for the growth inhibition of C. sakazakii and S. enterica Typhimurium in such the ready-to-eat foods.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.152-156
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• 2005

In the present study, lactic acid bacterium that has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori was isolated from feces of newborn baby. The selection was based on the ability to inhibit the growth of H. pylori and to withstand harsh environmental conditions such as acidic pH and high bile concentration. By biochemical test and 16S rDNA sequencing, selected strain was turned out to be an Pediococcus acidilactici, therefore designated to P. acidilactici GMB7330. In order to investigate the inhibitory effects of P. acidilactici GMB7330 on the growth of H. pylori, we have tested in vitro studies such as cell viability and urease test. These results showed that antibacterial activity of P. acidilactici GMB7330 significantly decreased the viable cell count and urease activity of H. pylori. Antibacterial activity of P. acidilactici GMB7330 against H. pylori remained after pH adjustment to neutral, and the concentration of lactate produced from P. acidilactici GMB7330 was not enough to inhibit H. pylori. On the basis of the analysis by transmission electron microscope, it demonstrated that addition of P. acidilactici GMB7330 destroyed the cell structure of H. pylori. These results strongly suggested that P. acidilactici GMB7330 produce antibacterial substances to be able to inhibit the growth of H. pylori other than lactic acid.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.163-179
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• 2022

Although functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are very common in pediatric patients, there is a scarcity of published epidemiologic data, characteristics, and management patterns from Saudi Arabia, which is the 2nd largest Arabic country in terms of area and the 6th largest Arabic country in terms of population, with 10% of its population aged <5 years. Functional constipation (FC) is an FGID that has shown a rising prevalence among Saudi infants and children in the last few years, which urges us to update our clinical practices. Nine pediatric consultants attended two advisory board meetings to discuss and address current challenges, provide solutions, and reach a Saudi national consensus for the management of pediatric constipation. The pediatric consultants agreed that pediatricians should pay attention to any alarming signs (red flags) found during history taking or physical examinations. They also agreed that the Rome IV criteria are the gold standard for the diagnosis of pediatric FC. Different therapeutic options are available for pediatric patients with FC. Dietary treatment is recommended for infants with constipation for up to six months of age. When non-pharmacological interventions fail to improve FC symptoms, pharmacological treatment with laxatives is indicated. First, the treatment is aimed at disimpaction to remove fecal masses. This is achieved by administering a high dose of oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) or lactulose for a few days. Subsequently, maintenance therapy with PEG should be initiated to prevent the re-accumulation of feces. In addition to PEG, several other options may be used, such as Mg-rich formulas or stimulant laxatives. However, rectal enemas and suppositories are usually reserved for cases that require acute pain relief. In contrast, infant formulas that contain prebiotics or probiotics have not been shown to be effective in infant constipation, while the use of partially hydrolyzed formula is inconclusive. These clinical practice recommendations are intended to be adopted by pediatricians and primary care physicians across Saudi Arabia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) on calcium absorption and to confirm the synergistic effects of fructooligosaccharide on calcium absorption. Male SD rats were fed 6 kinds of casein based diets containing vegetable oil (control), sn-2 palmitic acid-fortified vegetable oil (Sn2PA) and Sn2PA with fructooligosaccharide(Sn2PAFO) in two levels of calcium (normal 0.5% and high 1.0%) for 3 weeks. Total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and calcium in blood were measured. Feces were collected using cages for 4 days. Serum concentrations of total lipids and calcium were not significantly different among groups. However, serum triglyceride was significantly decreased by fructooligosaccharide supplementation regardless of dietary calcium level. The lipid absorption was not significantly different among experimental groups. Calcium absorption was significantly higher in Sn2PAFO group than other groups. Calcium solubility of intestine was increased by sn-2 palmitic acid supplementation. These results suggest that sn-2 palmitic acid and fructooligosaccharide supplementation could be beneficial for baby foods including infant formula, with regard to increasing absorption of calcium by more soluble calcium in the small intestinal content.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2006

This study was conducted to isolate antilisterial strains of the Bifidobacterium isolates from the infant feces. The bifidobacteria were isolated anaerobically on BL agar and screened for their inhibitory activity on the MRS-cysteine medium against three foodborne pathogens: Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the 52 bifidobacterial isolates, 5 strains(A24, Bl, B6, B10, and Bl2) were finally selected based on their stronger antilisterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes than other isolates tested. Morphologically, all the isolates were typically shown Y-and V-shaped under electron microscopic examination. Each isolate was primarily subjected to identification by a polymerase chain reaction(PCR) using a genus-specific primer designed for targeting the 16S rRNA gene sequence, and confirmed the primary identification data using an API-kit(Biomeriuex, France), commercially available product for identification based on biochemical and physiological traits. Of the isolates with antilisterial activity, strain A24 was finally confirmed as the Bifidobacterium longum A24.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.603-608
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• 2005

We recently isolated a novel probiotic strain, Lactobacillus fermentum PL9005 (KCCM-10250), from infant feces and showed that it had a potential immunoenhancing effect. In the present study, a safety assessment of the bacteria was performed using a BALB/c mouse model. Mice were administered with L. fermentum PL9005 daily for 28 days. There were no detectable changes in body weight, feed intake, or clinical signs, and no significant difference in hematological parameters or blood biochemistry between the L. fermentum PL9005-fed and control groups. Bacterial translocation was detected in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen of some mice with and without L. fermentum PL9005 feeding, however, the organisms were not related to ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005; this was confirmed by PCR using a species-specific primer. No gross lesions were detected in the liver, spleen, or intestine of L. fermentum PL9005-fed or control mice. Mucosal thickness in the ileum, cecum, and colon of L. fermentum PL9005-fed mice was not significantly different from that of corresponding organs in control mice. No inflammation or epithelial cell degeneration in the intestines was observed in any mice. These results indicate that ingestion of L. fermentum PL9005 is safe in mice and can be applied in the functional food market.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2010

The use of cellulolytic lactic acid bacteria in new method to prepare high nutrition complementary foods was investigated. For the screening of cellulolytic lactic acid bacteria, more than 1,150 bacterial colony were isolated from diluted infant feces samples. A typical strain which appeared the most excellent cellulolytic activities was identified novel acidophilic Enterococcus sp. TO-94 through the results of morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimal lactic acid fermentation conditions of Omija(Schizandra chinensis Baillon) by Enterococcus sp. TO-94 were as follows: pH and temperature were 3.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively, and fermentation time was 20hrs. The fructose and glucose were major free sugar and the contents were 5.83 and 4.30 mg/g after fermentation, respectively. The contents of lactic acid and acetic acid were 9.84 mg/g and 2.08 mg/g after fermentation, respectively. The vitamin $B_1$, $B_2$, niacin, folic acid and C were major vitamin in the fermented broth, the contents were 1.5~3 times higher than those of initial fermentation time. Also, the contents of polyphenol and anthocyanine were 3.8 and 1.2 times higher than those of initial fermentation time.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.1266-1271
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• 2017

Lactobacillus fermentum strain JDFM216, isolated from a Korean infant feces sample, possesses the ability to enhance the longevity and immune response of a Caenorhabditis elegans host. To explore the characteristics of strain JDFM216 at the genetic level, we performed whole-genome sequencing using the PacBio system. The circular draft genome has a total length of 2,076,427 bp and a total of 2,682 encoding sequences were identified. Five phylogenetically featured genes possibly related to the longevity and immune response of the host were identified in L. fermentum strain JDFM216. These genes encode UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferase (E.C. 2.5.1.7), ErfK/YbiS/YcfS/YnhG family protein, site-specific recombinase XerD, homocysteine S-methyltransferase (E.C. 2.1.1.10), and aspartate-ammonia ligase (E.C. 6.3.1.1), which are involved in peptidoglycan synthesis and amino acid metabolism in the gut environment. Our findings on the genetic background of L. fermentum strain JDFM216 and its potential candidate genes for host longevity and immune response provide new insight for the application of this strain in the food industry as newly isolated functional probiotic.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.696-703
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• 2019

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen causing serious infections in neonates. In this study, a bacteriophage ${\Phi}CS01$, which infects C. sakazakii, was isolated from swine feces and its morphology, growth parameters, and genomic analysis were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ${\Phi}CS01$ has a spherical head and is 65.74 nm in diameter with a 98.75 nm contracted tail, suggesting that it belongs to the family Myoviridae. The major viral proteins are approximately 71 kDa and 64 kDa in size. The latent period of ${\Phi}CS01$ was shown to be 60 min, and the burst size was 90.7 pfu (plaque-forming units)/infected cell. Bacteriophage ${\Phi}CS01$ was stable at $4-60^{\circ}C$ for 1 h and lost infectivity after 1 h of heating at $70^{\circ}C$. Infectivity remained unaffected at pH 4-9 for 2 h, while the bacteriophage was inactivated at pH <3 or >10. The double-stranded ${\Phi}CS01$ DNA genome consists of 48,195 base pairs, with 75 predicted open reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis is closely related to that of the previously reported C. sakazakii phage ESP2949-1. The newly isolated ${\Phi}CS01$ shows infectivity in the host bacterium C. sakazakii, indicating that it may be a promising alternative to antibacterial agents for the removal of C. sakazakii from powdered infant formulas.