Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
09:20
Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
Published on: April 28, 2014
12.7K
Selenium-Enriched Akkermansia muciniphila: A Novel Probiotic Bacterium for Se Supplementation
Wen Rui1, Yuhang Sun1, Xiaoqian Li1
1School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|August 13, 2025
Summary
Selenium-enriched Akkermansia muciniphila (Se-AM) shows enhanced probiotic properties and increased amino acid content. This novel formulation demonstrates improved survival, antioxidant activity, and immune stimulation, making it a promising Se supplement.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Selenium (Se)-enriched probiotics are valuable for delivering organic Se.
- Akkermansia muciniphila is a key probiotic with significant health benefits.
- Developing novel Se-enriched probiotics requires understanding Se distribution and functional properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To generate Se-enriched Akkermansia muciniphila (Se-AM) using inorganic Se bioconcentration.
- To investigate the Se distribution, selenoprotein and selenoamino acid species, and essential element and amino acid contents in Se-AM.
- To evaluate the probiotic properties of Se-AM, including survival, acid resistance, antioxidant activity, cell adhesion, and immune-stimulating effects.
Main Methods:
- Inorganic Se bioconcentration was used to create Se-AM.
- Se distribution, selenoprotein and selenoamino acid species, and amino acid profiles were analyzed.
- Probiotic properties such as acid resistance, antioxidant activity, cell adhesion (Caco-2, HT-29), and immune response (TLR4/NF-κB pathway in Raw 264.7 cells) were evaluated.
- Transcriptomic analysis was performed to compare gene expression between Se-AM and AM.
Main Results:
- Se-AM exhibited high survival rates and significant Se enrichment, with ~81.9% organic Se.
- Organic Se was primarily protein-bound (44.3%), forming selenoamino acids like SeCys2 and SeMet.
- Se-AM showed enhanced acid resistance, antioxidant activity, improved cell adhesion, and immune-stimulating effects via TLR4/NF-κB activation.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulated genes related to antioxidants, cell adhesion, and cancer cell eradication in Se-AM compared to AM.
Conclusions:
- Se-AM is a promising novel probiotic formulation enriched with Se.
- Se-AM offers enhanced probiotic functionality, including improved antioxidant and immune-modulating capabilities.
- The findings support Se-AM's potential as a functional food ingredient or nutraceutical for Se supplementation.
