Catabolism of hydroxycinnamic acids in contact with probiotic Lactobacillus

The catabolism products of the fermentation process of selected hydroxycinnamic acids initiated by different species of Lactobacillus strains were identified.

Three dietary supplements (Sanprobi IBS^® , BioGaia ProTectis Baby^® and Dicoflor 60^® ) were used to isolate the Lactobacillus strains. The overnight bacterial cultures (18 h) were diluted and grown in a microaerophilic atmosphere at 37°C. Then, each phenolic acid was added to bacterial cultures and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. Samples were collected at specific intervals for a further 24 h of incubation. LC-MS/MS was used for the identification of metabolism products of selected phenolic acids.

The phenolic acids were resistant to the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v caused degradation of caffeic and ferulic acids. The former was degraded either to dihydrocaffeic acid or to 4-vinylcatechol and 4-ethylcatechol. Ferulic acid was degraded only to dihydroferulic acid. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 caused only the degradation of chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, referred to IUPAC nomenclature) to caffeic acid.

Using of Lactobacilli as food additive should be taken into account that phenolic acids metabolism rate depends on not only the specific bacterial strain but also the structural properties of the acid.