Characterization of Lactobacillus fermentum UCO-979C, a probiotic strain with a potent anti-Helicobacter pylori activity

APOLINARIA GARCIA; KAREN NAVARRO; ENRIQUE SANHUEZA; SUSANA PINEDA; EDGAR PASTENE; MANUEL QUEZADA; KAREM HENRÍQUEZ; ANDREY KARLYSHEV; JULIO VILLENA; CARLOS GONZÁLEZ

ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

UNIV CATOLICA DE VALPARAISO

Lugar: Valparaíso; Año: 2016

0717-3458

Helicobacter pylori is a microorganism considered the main risk factor in the development of gastric cancer. In this paper we inform a detailed characterization of the probiotic properties and the anti -H. pylori activity of a previously isolated lactobacillus strain - L. fermentum UCO-979C - obtained from human gut. The strain tolerated pH 3.0, grew in the presence of 2% bile salts, produced lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, aggregated in saline solution, showed high hydrophobicity, was highly adherent to glass and to Caco-2 and AGS cells, showed an efficient colonization in Mongolian Gerbils, and it potently inhibited growth and urease activity of H. pylori strains. L. fermentum UCO-979C significantly inhibited H. pylori-induced IL-8 production in AGS cells and reduced viability of H. pylori. Regarding its innocuousness, UCO-979C was susceptible to several antibiotics. The strain did not produce histamine or beta hemolysis in blood agar containing red blood cells from various origins. The results presented demonstrate that L. fermentum UCO-979C is a very good candidate as a probiotic able to protect humans against H. pylori infections.