Antibacterial Effects of Leaf Extract of and the Underlined Mechanism.

Aim: The study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial and antiasthmatic effects of leaf extract, to find out its active components, and to assess its safety issue.

Methods: (1) Solid-phase agar dilution method was used for antibacterial activity test of nandina leaf extract and the change of bacterial morphology after treatment was observed under the transmission microscope; (2) guinea pig model of asthma was used to test the asthma prevention effect of nandina leaf extract; (3) alkaloids and flavones were separated from nandina leaf extract and were further analyzed with HPLC-MS; (4) mice model was used to assessment of the safety issue of nandina leaf extract.

Results: (1) Nandina leaf extract inhibited the growth of bacteria and destroyed bacterial membrane; (2) nandina leaf extract alleviated animal allergy and asthma; (3) the components reextracted by ethyl acetate were active, in which alkaloids inhibited Gram-positive bacteria and prevented asthma and flavones inhibited Gram-negative bacteria; (4) nandina leaf extract had no toxic effect on mice.

Activation of the chromosomally encoded mazEF(Bif) locus of Bifidobacterium longum under acid stress.

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are distributed within the genomes of almost all free-living bacteria. Although the roles of chromosomally encoded TA systems are still under debate, they are suspected to be involved in various stress responses. Here, we provide the first report of a type II TA system in the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum.

Safety assessment of Bifidobacterium longum JDM301 based on complete genome sequences.

Aim: To assess the safety of Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) JDM301 based on complete genome sequences.

Methods: The complete genome sequences of JDM301 were determined using the GS 20 system.

Safety assessment of Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1 based on the complete genome.

We performed a comprehensive safety assessment of a probiotic based on the whole genome sequence and corresponding phenotypes. This was performed on Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1, a widely used commercial probiotic strain in China. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of sixteen antibiotics and the biogenic amine production of JDM1 were tested to supplement a traditional oral toxicity test.

Complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum JDM301.

Bifidobacteria, known as probiotic bacteria, are high-G+C Gram-positive bacteria which naturally inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract and vagina. Recently, we completely sequenced Bifidobacterium longum JDM301, which is a widely used Chinese commercial strain with several probiotic properties.

Adhesion and immunomodulatory effects of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on intestinal epithelial cells INT-407.

Aim: To elucidate the adherence and immunomodulatory properties of a probiotic strain Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) HN019.

Methods: Adhesion assays of B.

Antibiotic resistance of probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from marketed foods and drugs.

Objective: To identify the antimicrobial resistance of commercial lactic acid bacteria present in microbial foods and drug additives by analyzing their isolated strains used for fermentation and probiotics.

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility of 41 screened isolates was tested with disc diffusion and E-test methods after species-level identification. Resistant strains were selected and examined for the presence of resistance genes by PCR.

Complete genome sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) species commonly used as a probiotic. We have sequenced the genome of Lactobacillus plantarum JDM1, which is a Chinese commercial LAB with several probiotic functions, using a GS 20 system. We recommend that each commercial probiotic strain should undergo complete genome sequencing to ensure safety and stability.