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Cholesterol assimilation and biotransformation by Lactobacillus helveticus
Jayesh J Ahire1, Anuja A Bhat, Jayashri M Thakare
1Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, P. Box-80, Jalgaon, 425 001, Maharashtra, India.
Biotechnology Letters
|September 8, 2011
Summary
Lactobacillus helveticus efficiently assimilated cholesterol and transformed it into valuable steroids like androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione. This demonstrates its potential for biotransformation applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cholesterol assimilation and biotransformation are key processes in biotechnology.
- Lactobacillus helveticus is a known probiotic bacterium with metabolic capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cholesterol assimilation and transformation capabilities of Lactobacillus helveticus.
- To determine the cholesterol oxidase activity and steroid production by Lactobacillus helveticus.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Lactobacillus helveticus in MRS medium with cholesterol supplementation.
- Measuring intracellular and extracellular cholesterol oxidase activity.
- Quantifying steroid derivatives produced from cholesterol.
Main Results:
- Lactobacillus helveticus assimilated all supplemented cholesterol within 42 hours at 37°C.
- The bacterium exhibited high intracellular cholesterol oxidase activity (68 U mg(-1)).
- Significant transformation of cholesterol to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (0.05 g) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (0.04 g) was observed within 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus helveticus demonstrates efficient cholesterol assimilation and biotransformation capabilities.
- The strain possesses significant cholesterol oxidase activity, enabling steroid production.
- This bacterium holds promise for industrial applications in steroid synthesis and cholesterol management.
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