Supplementation with engineered Lactococcus lactis improves the folate status in deficient rats

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Nutritional Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Folate is an essential vitamin crucial for numerous bodily functions.
• Lactococcus lactis is a commonly used probiotic bacterium.
• Engineered microbial strains offer potential for novel nutrient production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the bioavailability of folates synthesized by genetically modified Lactococcus lactis strains.
• To compare the efficacy of bacterial-derived folates against commercial folic acid.
• To evaluate the impact of bacterial folate on folate deficiency symptoms in a rodent model.

Main Methods:

• A rodent depletion-repletion bioassay was employed.
• Rats were fed a folate-deficient diet supplemented with engineered L. lactis strains.
• Folate bioavailability was assessed by monitoring rat growth and tissue folate concentrations.

Main Results:

• Folate produced by engineered L. lactis strains demonstrated comparable bioavailability to commercial folic acid.
• Significant increases in organ and blood folate levels were observed in supplemented rats.
• Bacterial folate administration effectively reversed folate deficiency-induced megaloblastic anemia.

Conclusions:

• Folates produced by engineered lactic acid bacteria are a bioavailable source of this essential vitamin.
• This represents the first study to demonstrate the bioavailability of folate from engineered lactic acid bacteria.
• Engineered L. lactis strains hold promise for improving folate status through food fortification.