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Mining indigenous honeybee gut microbiota for Lactobacillus with probiotic potential
Ghazal Aziz1,2, Muhammad Tariq1,2, Arsalan Haseeb Zaidi2,1
1Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nilore, Islamabad 45650, Pakistan.
Microbiology (Reading, England)
|February 15, 2021
Summary
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from honeybees in Pakistan show potential as probiotics. Three robust strains demonstrated safety, stress resistance, and pathogen inhibition, suggesting future health applications.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Apiculture
Background:
- The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of honeybees harbors diverse microbial communities.
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known for their probiotic potential and roles in host health.
- Understanding bee-associated LAB can reveal novel candidates for human health applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diversity of LAB in the GIT of endemic Pakistani honeybee species.
- To isolate and characterize LAB with potential probiotic properties.
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of selected LAB strains against human pathogens and GIT stresses.
Main Methods:
- Collection of honeybees (Apis mellifera, A. dorsata, A. cerana, A. florea) from northeastern Pakistan.
- 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for microbial community analysis.
- Isolation, safety assessment, and characterization of LAB strains for acid/bile tolerance, adhesion, and anti-pathogenicity.
- Identification of robust strains using principal components analysis (PCA).
- Evaluation of selected strains for pathogen inhibition, antibiotic resistance, metabolic functions, and cholesterol removal.
Main Results:
- 16S rRNA sequencing revealed distinct microbial communities in A. florea, with abundant Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
- Twenty safe LAB strains were isolated and evaluated for probiotic potential.
- Five robust LAB strains were identified: Enterococcus saigonensis NPL780a, Lactobacillus rapi NPL782a, Lactobacillus kunkeei NPL783a and NPL784, and Lactobacillus paracasei NPL783b.
- Selected strains showed significant potential in inhibiting human pathogens, antibiotic resistance, osmotic tolerance, and antioxidative properties.
Conclusions:
- Honeybee-associated LAB, particularly from A. florea, represent a promising source of novel probiotic candidates.
- Three strains (NPL 783a, NPL 784, and NPL 782a) demonstrated significant potential for health benefits and application as probiotic adjuncts.
- Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential of these identified LAB strains.
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