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A novel consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus for increased access to functional fermented foods
Microbial Cell Factories
  • Remco Kort, Yoba for Life Foundation
  • Nieke Westerik, Yoba for Life Foundation
  • L. Mariela Serrano, CSK Food Enrichment Wageningen
  • François P. Douillard, Helsingin Yliopisto
  • Willi Gottstein, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Ivan M. Mukisa, Makerere University
  • Coosje J. Tuijn, Yoba for Life Foundation
  • Lisa Basten, CSK Food Enrichment Wageningen
  • Bert Hafkamp, CSK Food Enrichment Wageningen
  • Wilco C. Meijer, CSK Food Enrichment Wageningen
  • Bas Teusink, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Willem M. Vos, Helsingin Yliopisto
  • Gregor Reid, Lawson Health Research Institute
  • Wilbert Sybesma, Yoba for Life Foundation
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-8-2015
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1186/s12934-015-0370-x
Abstract

Background: The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most studied probiotic bacterium with proven health benefits upon oral intake, including the alleviation of diarrhea. The mission of the Yoba for Life foundation is to provide impoverished communities in Africa increased access to Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG under the name Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012, world's first generic probiotic strain. We have been able to overcome the strain's limitations to grow in food matrices like milk, by formulating a dried starter consortium with Streptococcus thermophilus that enables the propagation of both strains in milk and other food matrices. The affordable seed culture is used by people in resource-poor communities. Results: We used S. thermophilus C106 as an adjuvant culture for the propagation of L. rhamnosus yoba 2012 in a variety of fermented foods up to concentrations, because of its endogenous proteolytic activity, ability to degrade lactose and other synergistic effects. Subsequently, L. rhamnosus could reach final titers of 1E+09CFUml , which is sufficient to comply with the recommended daily dose for probiotics. The specific metabolic interactions between the two strains were derived from the full genome sequences of L. rhamnosus GG and S. thermophilus C106. The piliation of the L. rhamnosus yoba 2012, required for epithelial adhesion and inflammatory signaling in the human host, was stable during growth in milk for two rounds of fermentation. Sachets prepared with the two strains, yoba 2012 and C106, retained viability for at least 2 years. Conclusions: A stable dried seed culture has been developed which facilitates local and low-cost production of a wide range of fermented foods that subsequently act as delivery vehicles for beneficial bacteria to communities in east Africa. -1

Citation Information
Remco Kort, Nieke Westerik, L. Mariela Serrano, François P. Douillard, et al.. "A novel consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophilus for increased access to functional fermented foods" Microbial Cell Factories Vol. 14 Iss. 1 (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gregor-reid/11/