Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Process Development for the Spray-Drying of Probiotic Bacteria and Evaluation of the Product Quality
05:45

Process Development for the Spray-Drying of Probiotic Bacteria and Evaluation of the Product Quality

Published on: April 7, 2023

Characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum PH04, a potential probiotic bacterium with cholesterol-lowering effects

T D T Nguyen1, J H Kang, M S Lee

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.

International Journal of Food Microbiology
|December 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Lactobacillus plantarum PH04, isolated from infant feces, shows potential as a probiotic. This bacterium effectively lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Probiotics
  • Gut Microbiome

Background:

  • Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host.
  • Lactobacillus species are commonly used as probiotics.
  • Dyslipidemia, characterized by high cholesterol and triglycerides, is a significant health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate Lactobacillus plantarum PH04 as a potential probiotic.
  • To assess the cholesterol-lowering effects of L. plantarum PH04.
  • To characterize the properties of L. plantarum PH04 relevant to probiotic use.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus plantarum PH04 from infant feces.
  • Assessment of bile/acid tolerance and bile salt hydrolase activity.
  • In vivo study using hypercholesterolemic mice fed L. plantarum PH04 (10^7 CFU/mouse/day for 14 days).
  • Measurement of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and fecal lactic acid bacteria.

Main Results:

  • L. plantarum PH04 exhibited significant bile salt hydrolase activity, enhanced by conjugated bile salts.
  • The bacterium demonstrated resistance to most tested antibiotics and lacked beta-glucuronidase production.
  • Mice supplemented with L. plantarum PH04 showed a 7% reduction in serum cholesterol and a 10% reduction in triglycerides.
  • Fecal lactic acid bacteria counts increased, with no adverse effects on body weight or visceral weight.

Conclusions:

  • Lactobacillus plantarum PH04 possesses beneficial probiotic properties, including bile tolerance and cholesterol-lowering capabilities.
  • The strain effectively reduces serum cholesterol and triglycerides in a mouse model of hypercholesterolemia.
  • L. plantarum PH04 is a promising candidate for development as a functional food ingredient or probiotic supplement for managing lipid profiles.

More Related Videos

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants06:38

A Novel Method for the Culture and Polarized Stimulation of Human Intestinal Mucosa Explants

Published on: May 1, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes01:27

Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes

Firmicutes is a diverse phylum of Gram-positive bacteria characterized by a low GC content in their genomes. This phylum includes organisms with monoderm or diderm cell envelopes, highlighting a complex evolutionary history. Firmicutes comprises several major orders, including Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Bacillales, which exhibit remarkable diversity in their morphology, metabolism, and ecological roles.The order Lactobacillales includes lactic acid bacteria, which are fermentative...
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria01:30

Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

Coryneform bacteria are gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile rods that exhibit irregular, club-shaped, or V-shaped arrangements. Their V-shape results from snapping division, where the inner cell wall layer forms the cross-wall, while the outer layer remains intact until it ruptures on one side, causing the daughter cells to bend away.The primary genera are Corynebacterium and Arthrobacter. Corynebacterium includes diverse species, ranging from saprophytes to pathogens like Corynebacterium...
Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria01:26

Bacterial Phylum Proteobacteria

Proteobacteria, one of the largest and most diverse bacterial phyla, encompasses a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria distinguished by their outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides. These microorganisms exhibit various metabolic capabilities, including phototrophy, chemolithotrophy, and heterotrophy, and thrive in diverse environments from soil to aquatic systems and host-associated niches. The phylum is divided into six classes: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria,...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes01:26

Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes

Planctomycetes are a group of morphologically distinct bacteria predominantly classified into two orders: Planctomycetales and Brocadiales. These gram-negative bacteria exhibit unique features, including division by budding and the presence of stalks or appendages. Their cells are often found in rosette arrangements, and they are notable for possessing an S-layer in their cell envelope, which is relatively uncommon among bacteria. Additionally, Planctomycetes frequently exhibit intracellular...