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In Vitro Study of Cricket Chitosan's Potential as a Prebiotic and a Promoter of Probiotic Microorganisms to Control

Carolyne Kipkoech1,2, John N Kinyuru1, Samuel Imathiu1

  • 1Department of Food Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, P.O. Box 62000-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.

Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Cricket chitosan acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. It also effectively inhibits pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella typhi, demonstrating its potential in gut health applications.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Food Science

Background:

  • Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining gut health.
  • Chitosan, derived from chitin, is known for its biological activities.
  • Investigating novel prebiotic sources is essential for functional food development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate cricket-derived chitosan as a prebiotic agent.
  • To assess the impact of chitosan on the growth of specific probiotic bacteria.
  • To determine the efficacy of chitosan in inhibiting pathogenic bacterial growth.

Main Methods:

  • Cricket chitin was deacetylated to chitosan.
  • Chitosan was incorporated into bacterial growth media at various concentrations (1-20%).
  • Probiotic bacterial growth (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) and pathogenic bacterial inhibition (Salmonella typhi) were monitored.

Main Results:

  • All chitosan concentrations significantly enhanced probiotic bacterial populations.
  • Chitosan supplementation reduced pathogenic bacterial populations.
  • A 10% chitosan concentration showed the most significant inhibition zones against Salmonella typhi.

Conclusions:

  • Cricket-derived chitosan effectively functions as a prebiotic.
  • Chitosan supports the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria.
  • Chitosan demonstrates potential for eliminating pathogenic bacteria in conjunction with probiotics.

Keywords:
chitinchitosandietgrowth inhibitionhuman gut bacteriapathogenicpre- and probiotics

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