Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
04:40
The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
Published on: June 16, 2022
9.8K
Vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidophilus: development and characterization
Francisca Rodrigues1, Maria João Maia, José das Neves
1a Department of Chemical Sciences , Faculty of Pharmacy, REQUIMTE .
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy
|September 30, 2014
Summary
This study developed vaginal suppositories for Lactobacillus acidophilus delivery. Hollow-type suppositories demonstrated potential for vaginal probiotic delivery, aiding in restoring vaginal flora.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Microbiology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Vaginal delivery of probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus is crucial for maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can disrupt the natural vaginal flora, necessitating effective delivery systems for beneficial bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize novel suppositories for the effective vaginal delivery of Lactobacillus acidophilus.
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of different excipients for suppository formulation.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of solid and hollow-type suppositories using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Witepsol (WIT) excipients.
- Incorporation of Lactobacillus acidophilus into suppositories and assessment of cytotoxicity using vaginal cell lines.
- Characterization of suppositories for physical properties, disintegration, and in vitro release of L. acidophilus.
Main Results:
- Selected excipients (PEG 400, PEG 4000, WIT H12) exhibited no cytotoxicity against vaginal cell lines.
- Developed suppositories contained approximately 1x10^8 CFU of L. acidophilus, disintegrated within 60 minutes, and showed sustained release.
- Incorporation of freeze-dried bacteria did not significantly reduce viability, indicating good stability.
Conclusions:
- Hollow-type suppositories are promising vehicles for vaginal probiotic delivery.
- These suppositories show potential for promoting the replacement of vaginal flora, particularly in managing UTIs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
58
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
58
01:22Probiotics
279
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...
279
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
297
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
297
01:25Production of Organic Acids
105
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
105
01:29Microbes in Food Production
383
Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...
383
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
50
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
50