Production of α-glucosidase inhibitor in the intestines by Bacillus licheniformis

We selected Bacillus licheniformis NY1505 by screening a strain capable of producing α-glucosidase inhibitors in both aerobic and anaerobic environments in vitro and spore formation. To confirm whether this strain proliferates in the intestine and produces α-glucosidase inhibitor, the spores of this strain were administered to mice orally. As the results, it was confirmed that 10⁷ cells and about 300 units of α-glucosidase inhibitor per 1 g feces were excreted in the feces after three weeks of administration as spores. And after two weeks of stopping administration, Bacillus licheniformis NY1505 in the intestine are cleared. This means that Bacillus licheniformis NY1505 steadily proliferated in the intestine and produced α-glucosidase inhibitors and excreted in the feces. Also, it has an advantage in its use as it can easily eliminate Bacillus licheniformis NY1505 from the intestine. This method of ingesting only microorganisms is a more efficient and new method than the existing method of administering an α-glucosidase inhibitor that consumes a large amount of purified product. This method shows a process in which microorganisms capable of proliferating in the intestine directly produce and supply specific secondary metabolites in the intestine.