Nowadays, probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are plentifully exploited in food processing industry. LAB and bifidobacteria are important part of microflora of gastro intestinal tract (GIT). Probiotics (most often just lactobacilli and bifidobakteria) can be supplied to the GIT of the organism like food complements. Species identification is therefore very important. New methods of identification of LAB and bifidobacteria are based on analysis of DNA. Mostly exploited method is polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In my diploma work, genus and species specific PCRs were used for identification of different species of bacteria of genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in complex matrices of six food supplements (Zenflo, Linex Forte, Probian, Nutra Bona, GS lactobacillus Forte, Pangamin Bifi plus). Total DNA was isolated from crude lysates of cells present in tablets by magnetic particles coated by carboxyl groups . The preparation of cell lysates was optimalised. Different amounts of lysozyme (3 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml), time of incubation at laboratory temperature (1,5 hour, 3 hour) and time of incubation with SDS and proteinase K at 55 °C (1 hour, 3 hour, over all night) were tested. Isolated DNA was quantified and checked in PCR. Primers specific for genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and for species Lb. acidophilus, Lb. casei, Lb. rhamnosus and Lb. plantarum and B. animalis, B. bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum were used, respectively. All identified bacteria were in accord with the data declared by producer in 3 food supplements (Zenflo, Linex Forte and Pangamin Bifi Plus). The genus indentification was in accord with declaration of producer in other food products only (Probian, Nutra Bona, GS Laktobacily Forte).

Probiotic lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are natural part of microflora of gastrointestinal tract. In the present, day they are grossly exploited in food processing industry. The aim of the work was molecular identification of bacteria of genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in complex matrices of two food additives. Total DNA was isolated from crude cell lysates by magnetic particles P(HEMA-co-GMA). Isolated DNA was amplified in genus-specific and species-specific PCRs. Amplicons were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results were compared with declared specification given by producers in three different batches.

Durante la mia tesi di dottorato ho selezionato nuovi potenziali ceppi probiotici, combinando l'approccio convenzionale con l’utilizzo di piattaforme di nuova concezione. Mi sono concentrata inizialmente sul cosiddetto "screening tradizionale" finalizzato all'isolamento di nuovi ceppi batterici di lattobacilli e bifidobatteri e alla valutazione della loro sicurezza per il consumo umano e della loro efficacia. I ceppi selezionati sono stati quindi sottoposti ad uno screening più specifico, a seconda dell'applicazione a cui sarebbero stati destinati. In questa fase sono stati utilizzati sia test in vitro che modelli animali, al fine di valutare l'applicabilità dei ceppi di recente selezionati come probiotici per la promozione della salute umana e il loro possibile impiego in campo alimentare. Ho valutato il potenziale utilizzo dei ceppi nell’integrazione alimentare di soggetti che seguono diete ad alto contenuto proteico per ridurre il rischio di accumulo intestinale di ammine biogene, e ho individuato un ceppo di Lactobacillus con presunta attività ammino-degradativa. L'obiettivo principale di un’altra attività di screening è stato lo studio degli effetti immunomodulanti di nuovi ceppi: combinazioni di probiotici sono risultati buoni candidati per il trattamento delle malattie infiammatorie e autoimmuni (miastenia grave e sclerosi multipla) nel modello di topo. Infine, i ceppi sono stati sottoposti a screening per una potenziale applicazione in campo alimentare, finalizzata ad indagare la possibilità di produrre formulazioni di probiotici “atomizzati” da utilizzare insieme alla base commerciale del gelato. / During my PhD thesis I screened new potential probiotic strains by combining conventional approach to newly designed platforms. I focused first on the so-called "conventional screening” aimed to the isolation of new bacterial strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and to assess their safety for human consumption and their efficacy by in-vitro methods. Selected strains were then submitted to a targeted screening by specifically designed models, depending on the application to which they would be destined. These models combined in vitro tests and animal models in order to assess the applicability of newly selected strains as probiotics for the promotion of human health and their possible use in food field. I evaluated the potential use of strains in the food supplementation of subjects that follow high-protein diets to reduce the risk of intestinal accumulation of biogenic amines, and I identified a strain of Lactobacillus with alleged amino degradative activity. The main objective of another screening activity was the study of the immunoregulatory effects of new strains: combinations of probiotics resulted good promising candidates for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis) in rat model. Finally, strains were screened for a potential application in food field, in order to investigate the possibility of producing spray-dried probiotic formulations to be used together with commercial ice-cream bases.