Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp lactis strain CIDCA 133 inhibits nitrate reductase activity of Escherichia coli

• Published in: International journal of food microbiology 2006-10, Vol.111 (3), p.191-196
• Main Authors: Hugo, A.A., De Antoni, G.L., Pérez, P.F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antibacterial properties; Biological and medical sciences; Colony Count, Microbial; competitive exclusion; enzyme activity; enzyme inhibition; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - enzymology; Food industries; Food microbiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gut homeostasis; health foods; homeostasis; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intestinal microbiota; intestinal microorganisms; lactic acid bacteria; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus delbrueckii; Lactobacillus delbrueckii - physiology; Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis; Nitrate reductase; Nitrate Reductase - antagonists & inhibitors; Nitrate Reductase - metabolism; nonpathogenic strains; Oxidation-Reduction; Probiotics; serotypes
• ISSN: 0168-1605; 1879-3460
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2006.04.024

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of strain CIDCA 133 on the nitrate reductase activity of a non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strain. Suspensions containing different ratios of the strains under study were coincubated in MRS or MRS without glucose. In some experiments lactobacilli were killed by UV treatment. The nitrate reductase activity was determined by using a diazotization reaction for nitrite. Presence of live lactobacilli leads to a dose–response diminution in the specific nitrate reductase of E. coli even when no acidification occurred. Killing of lactobacilli by UV treatment completely abolished the anti-nitrate reductase effect. In addition, the effect was only partially observed with filtered spent culture supernatants of lactobacilli. Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp lactis strain CIDCA 133 is able to antagonize the nitrate reductase activity of E. coli. This effect is neither due to a diminution of the viability of E. coli nor is depending on the acidification of the medium by the lactobacilli. Viability is needed for maximal anti-nitrate reductase activity. Modulation of undesirable enzymatic activities of intestinal microorganisms by means of selected microorganisms constitutes a further insight on the mechanisms by which probiotics lead to beneficial effects. Administration of probiotic strains able to modulate microbial intestinal activities could lead to a protection of the host against harmful effects of some members of the intestinal microflora.