Probiotic properties of intrinsic bacteria isolated from fermented polyherbal preparations of Indian Ayurveda

• Published in: Food science & technology 2019-04, Vol.103, p.8-18
• Main Authors: Vinothkanna, Annadurai, Sekar, Soundarapandian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidant activity; Arishta; Bacterial consortium; Fermented medicines; Principal component analysis
• ISSN: 0023-6438; 1096-1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2018.12.068

The study of probiotic bacteria is confined to fermented foods and beverages. This work has brought about the roles of 35 intrinsic bacteria from ‘Arishta’ such as Ashokarishta, Dasamoolarishta and Aswagandharishta, which are polyherbal fermented medicines of Indian Ayurveda. Most isolates tolerated in vitro harsh conditions prevailing in the gastrointestinal tract due to acids, bile salts and gastric juice. They exhibited bile salt hydrolytic activity, hydrophobicity and autoaggregation, which would help in survival and exclusion of pathogens. Both the cultures and cell free supernatants of few isolates showed antibacterial activity against the test organisms. Protease, amylase, lipase and cellulase activities were demonstrated in many isolates while few exhibited β-galactosidase and phytase activities. Few cultures produced exopolysaccharides, assimilated cholesterol and most of them showed antioxidant activities. These isolates could be generally regarded as safe in terms of antibiotic susceptibility and lack of hemolysis. Based on the principal component analysis, a compatible and strategic consortium of four bacterial isolates (AK-01, AK-04, DM-17 and AG-06) was designed. Based on 16SrRNA phylogeny, they were identified as species of Bacillus and Brevibacillus. It is thus demonstrated that probiotic bacteria are also important in herbal medicines as they have been known to contribute health benefits. •Thirty five intrinsic bacteria were isolated from the Ayurvedic polyherbal fermented preparations.•They withstood harsh conditions prevail in the gastrointestinal tract.•The isolates possessed antibacterial and many functional enzymatic activities.•Antioxidant activity of the culture supernatants may complement therapeutic property.•Based on the principal component analysis, a consortium of performing probiotic bacteria was formed and identified.