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Zygosaccharomyces bailii: A Promising Probiotic Candidate for Functional Food Development
Lara Areal-Hermida1, David Rocha-Grandal1, Pedro Coelho2
1Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Bioloxía Funcional e Ciencias da Saúde, Área de Microbioloxía, Lagoas-Marcosende, Vigo, 36310, España.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Two kombucha yeasts, Zygosaccharomyces bailii and Z. lentus, were identified as potential probiotics. Z. bailii UVI60 demonstrated strong survival, adhesion, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties, showing promise for functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Food Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Growing demand for functional foods necessitates novel probiotic microorganisms.
- Artisanal fermented foods, like kombucha, are rich sources of potential probiotics, particularly yeasts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize probiotic properties of yeast strains isolated from kombucha.
- To evaluate the potential of Zygosaccharomyces bailii UVI60 as a functional food ingredient and probiotic.
- To investigate the postbiotic potential of Zygosaccharomyces lentus UVI61.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of yeast strains from kombucha.
- Assessment of Z. bailii UVI60's survival in simulated gastric and duodenal conditions.
- Evaluation of adhesion properties (self-aggregation, hydrophobicity, Caco-2 cell adherence).
- Measurement of antioxidant activity and bile salt hydrolysis.
- Co-aggregation assays with pathogens.
- Lifespan extension studies in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Cytotoxicity assays against tumor cell lines.
- Viability assessment in various food matrices.
Main Results:
- Zygosaccharomyces bailii UVI60 exhibited high survival (98%) in simulated gastrointestinal conditions.
- The strain demonstrated significant adhesive properties to the intestinal epithelium and strong antioxidant activity (86%).
- Z. bailii UVI60 showed potential geroprotective effects in C. elegans and cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines. Z. lentus UVI61 also displayed cytotoxic activity.
- Z. bailii UVI60 maintained excellent viability in diverse plant-based food matrices.
Conclusions:
- Zygosaccharomyces bailii UVI60 is a promising candidate for a functional probiotic due to its robust survival, adhesion, antioxidant, and anti-tumor properties.
- Zygosaccharomyces lentus UVI61 shows potential as a postbiotic.
- Kombucha yeasts contribute to the functional properties of fermented foods, supporting their development into novel functional food products.
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