Pullulan Nanoparticles as Prebiotics Enhance the Antibacterial Properties of Through the Induction of Mild Stress in Probiotics.

Synbiotics, which are the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, have recently attracted attention because of their synergistic net health benefits. Probiotics have been used as alternatives to antibiotics. Among the probiotics, (LP) has shown strong antimicrobial activity against , a major livestock pathogen. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of phthalyl pullulan nanoparticle (PPN)-treated LP. Interestingly, when PPNs were added to LP, the PPNs were internalized into the LP through an energy-dependent and galactose transporter-dependent mechanism. Additionally, more plantaricin, a natural antibacterial peptide, was secreted from PPN-treated LP than from untreated or pullulan-treated LP. Furthermore, antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive by PPN-treated LP was higher than those of untreated or pullulan-treated LP. It is thought that the enhanced antimicrobial properties of the PPN-treated LP are due to intracellular stimulation. Overall, this research provides a new method of producing plantaricin in LP through intracellular stimulation by internalized PPNs.