Demand for the development of non-antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animal production surged in recent years. However, elucidating the specific mechanisms and action of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics as non-AGP in animals is still in progress. This work investigated and compared faecal microbiotas of weaned piglets under the administration of a basal diet (CON) and with prebiotic lactulose (LAC), probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 (PRO), or their synbiotic combination (SYN). Although prebiotics and/or probiotics in the diet significantly increased alpha-diversity compared with CON values, no differences were detected in richness and diversity values among the treatment groups (LAC, PRO, and SYN). At phylum level, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio increased in the treatment groups in comparison to the CON group, and the lowest abundance of Proteobacteria was found in LAC group. At family level, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in all treatments, especially more than 10-fold reduction in LAC group compared with CON group. At genus level, the highest abundance of Oscillibacter was detected in PRO group, the highest Clostridium in LAC group, and the highest Lactobacillus in SYN group; the abundance of Escherichia was lowest in LAC group. Clustering in the DAPC plots illustrated distinct separation of the feeding groups (CON, LAC, PRO, and SYN) from one another, showing that microbial communities had different compositions according to different feed additives. Effects of LAC and PRO treatments on the faecal microbiota suggest independent mechanisms; nonetheless, the impact of SYN might also be distinct from that when each are administered singly as LAC or PRO.

In this study, we found that the glycoprotein (18 kDa) isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum L67 (L67 protein) inhibits allergy-related inflammatory mediators in BPA treated rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 (RBL-2H3) cells and primary cultured splenocytes. First, we measured the levels of ERK, p38, and AP-1 by Western blotting and we evaluated the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 cytokines by real-time quantitative PCR. Finally, we evaluated the applicability of L. plantarum L67 as a yogurt starter culture by measuring pH, enumeration of bacteria, and sensory scores. The results of this study shows that L67 protein inhibits the phosphorylation of ERK and p38 MAPK, as well as the activation of AP-1 (c-Fos and c-Jun). With inflammationrelated factors (Th2-related cytokines), L67 protein inhibits BPA-induced IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 activity. Bisphenol A stimulates MAPK signaling, which induces increased GATA-3 expression, and GATA-3 induces the differentiation of Th2 cells and secretion of Th2-related cytokines. Our findings showed that L67 protein may regulate the activation of GATA3 and T-bet through the induction of MAPK signaling, and it relieves the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile imbalance. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the L. plantarum L67 strain is a potential food supplement and starter culture, that could help in the prevention of Th2-related immune disorders.

Galactooligosaccharide is one of prebiotics materials containing galactose and used mainly for infant formula products because some components of galactooligosaccharide are recognized as human milk oligosaccharides. Some studies showed that galactooligosaccharide has the outstanding physiological functions such as boosting immune system, improving skin conditions, and some others. And it has a role of making good intestinal microflora based on prebiotics effects. In conclusion, galactooligosaccharide is expected to be used for food materials such as functional beverages and dietary supplements, based on various physiological functions as well as physical stability.

기능성 발효유로 알려진 케피어로부터 박테리오신 생산 유산균주(CJNU 2008)를 선발하였다. CJNU 2008 균주는 16S rRNA 유전자 염기서열 분석을 통해 Enterococcus faecium으로 동정되어 E. faecium CJNU 2008로 명명하였다. E. faecium CJNU 2008균주의 배양액 및 부분정제 농축액은 Listeria monocytogenes와 Staphylococcus aureus와 같은 병원성 세균을 포함하여 몇몇 균주들에 대해서 항균활성을 나타내었다. E. faecium CJNU 2008 균주의 박테리오신 생산을 위한 배양 최적조건은 MRS broth, 30℃ 및 pH 7.0으로 확인되었다.

이 연구는 고지방 및 고 콜레스테롤식이(HD)를 먹인 rat에서의 저지질혈증 및 항염증 효과에 영향을 미치는 카제인과 유당(cMRP) 그리고 락토바실러스 fermentum H9 (FcMRP)에 의해 발효된 cMRP에 의해 반응된 마일라드 반응 생성물의 효과를 조사했다. HD 식이를 실시한 rat은 정상적인 식이를 먹인 rat과 비교했을 때, 간의 트리글리세리드 농도가 유의적으로 증가했다. 이는 HD 그룹에 비해서 Simvastatin, L. fermentum H9(H9), cMRP, FcMRP의 처리기간의 총 트리글리세리드를 감소시킨 것으로 나타났다. 조직학적 분석에서 cMRP, F-cMRP 및 H9-를 먹인 rat에서 간과 대동맥 조직의 지질 축적이 감소한 것으로 관찰되었다. 또한, F-cMRP와 cMRP는 HD 그룹에서 내중막 두께를 감소시켰다. 게다가 H9, Cmrp, F-cMRP 처리는 ICAM-1 및 VCAM-1의 발현수준을 유의적으로 감소시켰지만, MCP-1의 발현 수준은 유의하게 감소시키지 못했다. 특히, ICAM-1과 VCAM-1의 발현은 HD 그룹에 비해 F-cMRP 그룹에서 유의적으로 감소했다. 이 연구 결과는 낙농 식품의 cMRP와 F-cMRP가 심혈관계 질환, 특히 죽상 동맥 경화증을 예방하거나 치료하는데 잠재적으로 사용될 수 있음을 시사한다.