Impact of Carbohydrates on the Aggregation of Probiotic Bacteria

Abstract

Probiotic bacteria can be beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract in the human body in numerous ways. Autoaggregation may play a key role in allowing probiotics to prevent pathogenic organisms from colonizing the intestinal system. Currently, scientific research does not account for the extent in which the autoaggregation capacities of probiotics may be influenced by carbohydrates. In this experiment, nine carbohydrate sources, including those with prebiotic qualities, were applied to eighteen strains of bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus. The experiment evaluated the autoaggregation abilities of the lactobacilli strains exposed to the carbohydrate treatments. Generally, no carbohydrates stimulated the autoaggregation of most strains of lactobacilli. However, experimental results confirmed the rapid autoaggregation of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 exposed to treatments of 2’-fucosyllactose. These experimental results are relevant in understanding how carbohydrates may indirectly impact how probiotics can prevent pathogens from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract within the human body.