Variability in Probiotic Formulations Revealed by Proteomics and Physico-chemistry Approach in Relation to the Gut...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Probiotic formulation quality, efficacy, and safety are influenced by manufacturing processes.
• Reliable analytical methods are crucial for monitoring manufacturing variations and ensuring probiotic quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in multi-strain probiotic formulations from distinct production sites using proteomics and physico-chemistry.
• To assess the impact of these variations on the protective effect on the gut barrier.

Main Methods:

• Proteomic analysis to identify differences in protein abundance, identity, and origin.
• Physico-chemical characterization, including thermal and colloidal profiling (Tmax, Tm).
• In vivo assessment of gut permeability modulation in mice.

Main Results:

• Proteomic analysis revealed significant differences in protein profiles between VSL#3 samples from different production sites.
• While qualitatively similar, quantitative differences in thermal properties (Tmax, Tm) were observed.
• These biochemical and physical variations led to differential modulation of gut permeability in mice.

Conclusions:

• Manufacturing site variations significantly impact probiotic composition and physical properties.
• These differences affect the functional capacity of probiotics, specifically their impact on gut barrier function.
• Physico-chemical methods offer a cost-effective and time-efficient approach for probiotic quality control.