Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
08:38
Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
Published on: September 10, 2016
24.4K
Probiotic and Postbiotic Potentials of Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001: A Safety Assessment
Kwon Il Han1, Hyun-Dong Shin1, Yura Lee1
1Research and Development Center, Bereum Co., Ltd., Wonju 26361, Republic of Korea.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 26, 2024
Summary
Probiotic Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 demonstrates safety and potential for gut health. Studies confirm its stability, low virulence, and metabolic activity suitable for human consumption as both probiotic and postbiotic.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Probiotics Research
Background:
- Probiotics, live microorganisms promoting host health, are of significant interest for gut health enhancement.
- Enterococcus faecalis, a gut microbe, shows probiotic promise but requires safety validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively assess the safety and probiotic potential of Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001.
- To evaluate the genetic stability and functional attributes of E. faecalis EF-2001 for human consumption.
Main Methods:
- In silico genomic analysis of E. faecalis EF-2001.
- In vitro assays for virulence factors, metabolic activity, and stress tolerance (gastric, intestinal, pH).
- Assessment of cytotoxicity of heat-killed E. faecalis EF-2001 (postbiotic) on HT-29 cells.
Main Results:
- The E. faecalis EF-2001 genome is stable across generations and lacks biogenic amine genes but possesses essential nutrient synthesis genes.
- Live E. faecalis EF-2001 (EF-2001L) showed low virulence, minimal D-lactate production, antibiotic susceptibility, and tolerance to simulated gut conditions.
- Heat-killed E. faecalis EF-2001 (EF-2001HK) was acid/base tolerant, and its postbiotic form exhibited no cytotoxicity to HT-29 cells.
Conclusions:
- Probiotic and postbiotic E. faecalis EF-2001 exhibit safety and metabolic suitability for human use.
- EF-2001 demonstrates a favorable safety profile, including lack of key virulence factors and cytotoxicity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...