The effect of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate derived anolytes, and anolyte-catholyte combination on biofilms

Microbial biofilms are problematic in industrial environments where large areas of submerged surfaces are exposed to relatively high nutrient fluxes, providing niches for the formation of copious surface-associated growth. Biofilms growing in drinking water distribution pipes cause deterioration in the microbiological quality of water contributing to the occurrence of water-borne diseases. Many bacteria are resistant to moderate levels of biocides, with bacteria in biofilms being the most difficult to control. Electrochemical activation (ECA) technology provides an alternative way of controlling these micro-organisms. The main objective of this study was to evaluate an electrochemically activated solution, anolyte, as an environmentally safe disinfectant for the control of biofilms. Biofilms were grown using the Pederson device and then exposed to different concentrations of the biocide. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to view the effect of treatment on the biofilm structure. Re-growth of the biofilm after treatment with anolyte was detected through epifluorescence microscopy after DAPI staining of the coupons. Neat (undiluted) and mildly dilute anolyte removed the biofilm while the more dilute anolyte did not have any effect on the biofilm. Re-growth of the biofilm occurred after 24 h of biofilm treatment with anolyte and anolyte-catholyte combination, showed by the increase in colony forming units. Re-growth of planktonic bacteria however, occurred only after 72 h of treatment. Water SA Vol. 32(2) 2006: pp.237-24

Comparison of different methods for release of Bifidobacterium longum Bb46 from the poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-poly(vinylacetate-co-crotonic acid) interpolymer complex matrix, and the effect of grinding on the microparticles

Bifidobacteria have been efficiently encapsulated in poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-poly(vinylacetate-co-crotonic acid) (PVP:PVAc-CA) interpolymer complex formed in scCO2. Research indicated that this method improves the stability of encapsulated bacteria in simulated gastrointestinal fluids in vitro. However, further analysis indicated release of lower numbers of encapsulated bacteria from the encapsulating matrix. The aims of this study were to determine a method that would release high numbers of bacteria from the PVP:PVAc-CA interpolymer complex matrix microparticles, and furthermore, to determine the effects of milling on the morphological properties of the microparticles. Three release methods, namely sonication, homogenization in a stomacher and incubation in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) were compared. Released viable bacteria were assayed using plate counts. Viable bacteria released using a stomacher were three orders of magnitude higher than those released by incubation and an order of magnitude higher than those released using sonication. SEM indicated no negative effects such as exposure of encapsulated bacteria on the matrix due to milling of product. Homogenization in a stomacher is the most efficient method for releasing bacteria from the PVP:PVAc-CA interpolymer complex matrix. Particle size of the PVP:PVAc-CA microparticles encapsulating bacteria can be reduced further by grinding, without exposing the enclosed bacteria.The authors would like to thank the National Research Foundation of South Africa for funding of the project.http://www.springer.com/chemistry/biotech/journal/1127

Supercritical CO2 interpolymer complex encapsulation improves heat stability of probiotic bifidobacteria

The probiotic industry faces the challenge of retention of probiotic culture viability as numbers of these cells within their products inevitably decrease over time. In order to retain probiotic viability levels above the therapeutic minimum over the duration of the product’s shelf life, various methods have been employed, among which encapsulation has received much interest. In line with exploitation of encapsulation for protection of probiotics against adverse conditions, we have previously encapsulated bifidobacteria in poly-(vinylpyrrolidone)-poly-(vinylacetate-co-crotonic acid) (PVP:PVAc-CA) interpolymer complex microparticles under supercritical conditions. The microparticles produced had suitable characteristics for food applications and also protected the bacteria in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. The current study reports on accelerated shelf life studies of PVP:PVAc-CA encapsulated Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and Bifidobacterium longum Bb46. Samples were stored as free powders in glass vials at 30 °C for 12 weeks and then analysed for viable counts and water activity levels weekly or fortnightly. Water activities of the samples were within the range of 0.25–0.43, with an average a w = 0.34, throughout the storage period. PVP:PVAc-CA interpolymer complex encapsulation retained viable levels above the recommended minimum for 10 and 12 weeks, for B. longum Bb46 and B. lactis Bb12, respectively, thereby extending their shelf lives under high storage temperature by between 4 and 7 weeks. These results reveal the possibility for manufacture of encapsulated probiotic powders with increased stability at ambient temperatures. This would potentially allow the supply of a stable probiotic formulation to impoverished communities without proper storage facilities recommended for most of the currently available commercial probiotic products.University of Pretoria, National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa and The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria.http://www.springer.com/chemistry/biotech/journal/11274hb201

A successful history: probiotics and their potential as antimicrobials,

Introduction: Probiotics are living, non-pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria) that enter through diet in the human body, live during their passage through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are beneficial to health. They have become popular in recent years as a way of improving human health through nutrition. This review aims to discuss the efficacy of probiotics for the supportive therapy of certain clinical conditions, especially infectious diseases, as reported in a number of studies, even though some concerns about their safety still remain. Areas covered: This paper will review the history of probiotics, from ancient ages to date, and the evolution of their use in clinical practice. The study is based on both personal professional experience of the authors and a comprehensive literature analysis, including old documents from libraries, searching the related biological and clinical data on Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, also using the “cited by” and “similar articles” options available in PubMed. Expert opinion: Not all researchers agree about the safety and real efficacy of probiotics in common conditions, especially infective diseases. However, the use of probiotics for clinical conditions that may be improved by consumption of these dietary supplements should be considered as a possible supportive therapy in select patients