Production of alpha-galactosidase in the small intestine by Lactobacillus fermentum CRL 722

LEBLANC, J.G.; SESMA, F.; SAVOY DE GIORI, G.

Tafi del Valle, Tucumán

Jornada; XXI Jornadas Científicas Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2004

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

The use of microbial a-galactosidase (a-Gal), whichhydrolyzes a-1,6 galactoside links is a promissingalternative to eliminate a-galactooligosaccharides (a-GOS) in soy derived products. These often pass throughthe small intestine (SI) and reach the large intestinewhere they are fermented, producing gases that cancause physiological problems in sensitive individuals.The goal of this study was the evaluate de capacity of Lb.fermentum CRL722 to produce a-Gal in the SI.Rats were fed cell free extracts or live cells of CRL722and the a-Gal activity was determined in differentcompartments of the SI (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum).A short lived a-Gal activity was detected in the smallintestine. The short duration and variability in thedetected a-Gal was determined to be the result of hostilecomponents found in these intestinal compartments.This short lived a-Gal activity might be able to preventcertain gastrointestinal disorders associated to soyproduct consumption. The evaluation of the gas reductioncapacity of Lb. fermentum CRL722 in rats fed soymilk iscurrently underway.