Metabolic interactions of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ZJ625 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 in co-culture: implications for multi-strain probiotics.

Aims: Limosilactobacillus reuteri ZJ625 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 are potential probiotic bacteria. The mechanisms of enhanced benefits by muti-strain probiotics are yet fully understood. We elucidated the influence of co-culturing on the metabolite profiles of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ZJ625 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 to decipher the impacts of co-culturing on metabolic interactions between the strains.

Virulence Signatures, Integrons, and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Bacterial Strains Recovered from Selected Commercial Dairy Products and Fresh Raw Meat.

Bacterial species responsible for food infections and intoxication are sometimes carried through the food production and processing. Very few published literatures exist on integrons among antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal strains from foods of animal origin in Gauteng Province, South Africa, hence this study. A total of 720 samples (360 meat and 360 dairies) from a community abattoir of a research farm in South Africa, using conventional bacteriological and molecular methods.

'Multi-omics' data integration: applications in probiotics studies.

The concept of probiotics is witnessing increasing attention due to its benefits in influencing the host microbiome and the modulation of host immunity through the strengthening of the gut barrier and stimulation of antibodies. These benefits, combined with the need for improved nutraceuticals, have resulted in the extensive characterization of probiotics leading to an outburst of data generated using several 'omics' technologies. The recent development in system biology approaches to microbial science is paving the way for integrating data generated from different omics techniques for understanding the flow of molecular information from one 'omics' level to the other with clear information on regulatory features and phenotypes.

Genome Assembly of a Putative Plant Growth-Stimulating Bacterial Sweet Pepper Fruit Isolate, Enterobacter hormaechei SRU4.4.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Enterobacter hormaechei SRU4.4. This bacterium (genome size = 4,440,516 bp; coding sequences = 4,100; G+C content = 56%) encodes for genes attributed to plant growth promotion (PGP).

Genome Assessment of Serratia marcescens SGT5.3, a Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium Isolated from the Surface of Capsicum annuum Fruit.

Serratia marcescens SGT5.3, a potential plant growth-promoting strain with a wide range of functions, was isolated from the surface of Capsicum annuum fruit. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of this bacterium.

Association between host genetics of sheep and the rumen microbial composition.

A synergy between the rumen microbiota and the host genetics has created a symbiotic relationship, beneficial to the host's health. In this study, the association between the host genetics and rumen microbiome of Damara and Meatmaster sheep was investigated. The composition of rumen microbiota was estimated through the analysis of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, while the sheep blood DNA was genotyped with Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip and the genome-wide association (GWA) was analyzed.

Draft Genome Sequence of Sweet Pepper Fruit Epiphyte-Associated Bacillus cereus HRT7.7.

This study reports the whole-genome sequence of Bacillus cereus HRT7.7, an epiphyte isolated from red sweet pepper fruits that is capable of stimulating plant growth and development. The genome assembly is 5,109,010 bp in length, with a G+C content of 35.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus polymyxa Strain SRT9.1, a Promising Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium.

Paenibacillus polymyxa SRT9.1 is an epiphytic bacterium capable of inhibiting plant-pathogenic bacteria. The strain has potential for development as a biocontrol agent for use in agriculture.

In vitro profiling and functional assessments of the anti-diabetic capacity of phenolic-rich extracts of Bulbine natalensis and Bulbine frutescens.

Aims: Bulbine natalensis (BN) and Bulbine frutescens (BF) are recommended in South African traditional medicine to treat diabetes, but their modes of action are unknown. This study assessed the phenolic acid profiles, mineral composition and in vitro functional effects of BN and BF to better understand their glucose-lowering capabilities.

Methods: Phenolic acid and mineral composition of BN and BF methanolic extracts were determined by HPLC and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy respectively.

Epiphytic Bacteria from Sweet Pepper Antagonistic In Vitro to BD 261, a Causative Agent of Bacterial Wilt.

Biological control of plant pathogens, particularly using microbial antagonists, is posited as the most effective, environmentally-safe, and sustainable strategy to manage plant diseases. However, the roles of antagonists in controlling bacterial wilt, a disease caused by the most devastating and widely distributed pathogen of sweet peppers (i.e.

Effects of and Supplementation as Direct-Fed Microbials on Rumen Microbiota of Boer and Speckled Goat Breeds.

The effects on rumen microbial communities of direct-fed probiotics, and , singly and in combination as feed supplements to both the Boer and Speckled goats were studied using the Illumina Miseq platform targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA microbial genes from sampled rumen fluid. Thirty-six goats of both the Boer and Speckled were divided into five experimental groups: (T1) = diet + ; (T2) = diet + ; (T3) = diet + + ; (T4, positive control) = diet + antibiotic and (T5, negative control) = diet without antibiotics and without probiotics. Our results revealed that Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, TM7, Proteobacteria, and Euryarchaeota dominate the bacterial communities.

Computational, chemical profiling and biochemical evaluation of antidiabetic potential of stem bark extract in type 2 model of rats.

The present study investigated the antidiabetic and antioxidant capacity of hydromethanol extract from stem bark (PBSBHM) in fructose-streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats after 28 days of oral administration. Simultaneously, evaluated the phenolic profiles and mineral compositions of crude extract. Molecular docking analysis of protocatechuic acid, the most abundant phenolic acid with potential downstream partners protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), was investigated.

Multi-Strain Probiotics: Synergy among Isolates Enhances Biological Activities.

The use of probiotics for health benefits is becoming popular because of the quest for safer products with protective and therapeutic effects against diseases and infectious agents. The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens had prompted restrictions over the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics for prophylaxis and growth promotion, especially in animal husbandry. While single-strain probiotics are beneficial to health, multi-strain probiotics might be more helpful because of synergy and additive effects among the individual isolates.

Characterization of Rumen Microbiota of Two Sheep Breeds Supplemented With Direct-Fed Lactic Acid Bacteria.

Supplementation of direct-fed microbials into ruminants' nutrition has shown great potential in manipulating rumen fermentation and enhancing productive animal performance. However, little is known about rumen microbial composition and diversity of Damara and Meatmaster sheep, breeds indigenous to South Africa. The study aimed at exploring and comparing the rumen microbiomes of two breeds with different feeding treatments as follows: no antibiotic, no probiotics (T1), only potential probiotic (T2), only potential probiotic (T3), the combination of potential probiotics (T4), antibiotic (T5); using a metagenomic approach.

Distribution of Important Probiotic Genes and Identification of the Biogenic Amines Produced by PNW3.

The genome of PNW3 was assessed for probiotic and safety potentials. The genome was completely sequenced, assembled using SPAdes, and thereafter annotated with NCBI prokaryotic genome annotation pipeline (PGAP) and rapid annotation using subsystem technology (RAST). Further downstream assessment was determined using appropriate bioinformatics tools.

Integrated genome-based probiotic relevance and safety evaluation of Lactobacillus reuteri PNW1.

This study evaluates whole-genome sequence of Lactobacillus reuteri PNW1 and identifies its safety genes that may qualify it as a putative probiotic. It further extracted the bacteriocin produced by the strain and tested its effectiveness against pathogenic STEC E. coli O177.

Bacterial communities associated with the surface of fresh sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) and their potential as biocontrol.

Fresh produce vegetables are colonized by different bacterial species, some of which are antagonistic to microbes that cause postharvest losses. However, no comprehensive assessment of the diversity and composition of bacteria inhabiting surfaces of fresh pepper plants grown under different conditions has been conducted. In this study, 16S RNA amplicon sequencing was used to reveal bacterial communities inhabiting the surfaces of red and green pepper (fungicides-treated and non-fungicides-treated) grown under hydroponic and open field conditions.

Quercetin modulates hyperglycemia by improving the pancreatic antioxidant status and enzymes activities linked with glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes model of rats: In silico studies of molecular interaction of quercetin with hexokinase and catalase.

Quercetin was assessed for its antihyperglycemic effect in fructose-streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of quercetin at the dosage of 25 and 50 mg/kg for 28 days remarkably reduced the level of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb), and hepatic glycogen but enhanced plasma Hb concentration. The altered activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and hexokinase in diabetic rats were significantly improved upon quercetin treatment.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus acidophilus PNW3, Isolated from Weaned Piglets of the Indigenous South African Windsnyer Pig Breed.

A draft genome sequence of PNW3 is reported. The genome assembly is 1,857,655 bp long in 25 contigs with an value of 230,557 bp and a G+C content of 34.6%.

Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus reuteri PNW1, a Promising Probiotic Candidate.

This study reports the whole-genome sequence of Lactobacillus reuteri PNW1 isolated from gastrointestinal tracts of weaned piglets of the indigenous South African Windsnyer pig breed. A total of 5.2 GB data comprising 8,209,104 paired-end reads were generated.