Journal of Microbial & Biochemical Technology

Nutraceuticals have gained a great insight in recent years due to their therapeutic implications. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenoids are widespread in nature and are consumed as part of human diet. Polysaccharides of prebiotic nature are also used as therapeutic and prophylactic agents. These nutraceuticals have great potential to reduce antigenic and oxidative pressure in the gut system. The population of probiotics in the gut may be maintained and balanced by dietary intervention of adequate amounts of vegetables and fruits containing prebiotics [1]. Diet influences gut functions through alteration in microbial composition. Plant polysaccharides present in our diet are utilized by enteric bacteria, and contribute host-microbe mutualism [2]. Probiotics have been reported to be evolved with genetic and biochemical potential to encode enzymes for breaking down of complex dietary polysaccharides [3-6]. Therefore, supplementation of nutraceuticals with diet might be potential therapeutic strategies to inhibit the process of pathogenesis through probiotics. Metabolites of probiotics such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been reported to act as epigenetic drug to cure cancer [7,8]. Beside the presence of various secondary metabolites of therapeutic importance, dietary plants are rich source of prebiotics which synergistically modulate the enteric microbial ecosystem in conjunction with host derived factors. Dietary plants act directly on the host and indirectly through host associated microbial processing. The present study is in continuation of our previous studies in which various activities like antioxidant, cytoprotective and modulation of proton pumping ATPase activities have been targeted in presence of cucurbit extracts [9-12]. Here we intended to explore the effect of extracts on growth and biofilm formation of probiotics as well as pathogens in an in vitro microbial culture system.

Chemicals, reagents, glassware and plastic wares

Growth medium for maintenance of microbial culture listed in Table 1, were procured from HiMedia (Mumbai, India). Other chemical constituents used in microbial culture were purchased from HiMedia (Mumbai, India) and Merck (Mumbai, India). Microtiter plates, petri plates and all other plastic wares were also purchased from HiMedia. Some chemicals and reagents were procured from Sigma (Germany). Inulin was procured from SRL (India).

Table 1: Strains of probiotics and pathogenic bacteria used in this study.

Preparation of extracts

Fresh fruit of cucurbits, Ls, Lc and Cm were purchased from local market of Jamia Nagar, New Delhi and identified. The herbarium numbers of the identified fruits were marked as Ls-GBL402, Lc-GBL402, Cm-GBL402 and preserved in the record of Genome Biology Lab., Department of Biosciences, JMI, New Delhi, India. Aqueous extracts were prepared as previously described [9-12]. Methanol extracts were prepared by Soxhlet extraction method. Briefly, fresh and cleaned Ls, Lc and Cm were homogenized, dried at 62°C in a sterile incubator, packed in Soxhlet apparatus and extracted with methanol for 72 h. Extracts were kept in vacuum desiccators for further studies.

Procurement and maintenance of microbial strains

Some standard strains of probiotics and pathogenic bacteria (Table 1) were procured from Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC), Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India. Econorm of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory (Hyderabad, India) containing lyophilized Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) was purchased from local medical store, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi. Organisms were cultured and maintained in suitable growth medium as described in the Table 1. Luria Bertani (LB) and YEPD (Yeast Extract, Peptone and Dextrose) were used for maintenance of organisms [12,13].

Listing of phytochemcals identified from extracts

GC-MS based identification of compounds were done (for detail please refer our previous publication) [9]. Compounds identified from extracts were enlisted in tables which might be involved in supporting biofilm formation (Tables 2-4). However the complete lists of the identified compounds are the integral part of the PhD research work of I.A [14].

Table 2: Compounds identified from extract of Lagenaria siceraria (Ls) fruit (Bottle guard).

Table 3: Compounds identified from extract of Luffa cylindrica (Lc) fruit (Sponge guard).

Table 4: Compounds identified form extract of Cucurbita maxima (Cm) (Pumpkin).

Effect of extracts on bacterial biofilm formation

Biofilms of different bacterial strains as mentioned in the Table 1 were allowed to be formed in presence and absence of different extracts in 96-well microtiter plate by adjusting approximate cells density of 106/ well. Plates were kept in static incubator at 37°C. Biofilms formed were carefully maintained by changing growth medium after every 24 h and observed under microscope. OD at 600nm of unwashed (with media) and washed (thrice with PBS) was read respectively in a microplate reader (Bio-Rad, iMark, USA). At the end photograph of biofilms were taken employing inverted microscope (Camera Bio-Wizard, USA).

Composition of phytochemicals present in extracts

Lagenaria siceraria (Ls), Luffa cylindrica (Lc) and Cucurbita maxima (Cm) are most easily digestible vegetable. These groups of plants have gained a great insight due to their nutritional and medicinal potentials [9-12]. Phytochemical evaluations of different extracts prepared from fruits of these plants were carried out and a part of these have recently been published [9]. Tables 2-4 contain phytochemicals present in extracts of Ls, Lc and Cm respectively which were identified based on GC-MS analysis [9]. Our previous work suggests that cucurbits contain a balanced composition of certain compounds which modulate nutrient uptake mechanisms to promote cell viability by protecting against oxidants and intracellular pH [9,11]. This is the first attempt towards protecting the biofilm of beneficial microorganisms through dietary intervention of cucurbit extracts in in vitro microbial culture system. However, individual compounds need to be evaluated on biofilm formation by human associated health promoting probiotics before going towards formulation of cucurbits derived herbal medicine (Tables 2-4).

Effect of extracts on probiotics

Aqueous and methanol extracts of cucurbits were evaluated on three strains of probiotic Lactobacilli (Table 1) and one strain of Saccharomyces boulardii. However, a part of the work showing effects on growth dynamics of these strains have been published [11] (Table 5). In this paper, methanol extracts were evaluated on growth dynamics and biofilms development of all probiotic Lactobacilli listed in Table 1.

Table 5: Effective concentration of methanolic extracts enhancing growth of probiotics strains.

Determination of effective concentration

Growth dynamics: Microbial growth dynamics in presence and absence of extracts were evaluated. Both aqueous [11] and methanol extracts of cucurbit fruits were found to enhance growth of probiotic strains. The effective concentrations (ECs) listed in the Table 5 were used in growth curve studies of different strains of probiotics. However, higher concentration of extracts (1 mg/mL) was also examined to find out the toxic effect of it but no toxicity was observed. The effect of different extracts on all strains of probiotics was evaluated by the growth curve studies. Significant and pronounced effects were observed on all strains with lag phage of 4-8h (L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum), 6-9 h (L. acidophillus), 4-6 h (S. boulardii) and active exponential phase 8, 9-18 h before attaining stationary phase (Figure 1). Concentration of the extracts used for growth curve studies were their respective EC values. Inulin (100 μg/ml) was used as positive control. Significantly enhanced growth pattern were observed for all the three extracts on L. rhamnosus*1408, L. plantarum*1407, L. acidophillus*447 and S. boulardii in comparison of normal controls. Results of the present study support our previous study in which extracts were evaluated for their cytoprotective and proton pumping ATPase activities on human gastrointestinal cells and probiotics [9,11]. Furthermore, extracts were found to exhibit marginal growth inhibition of pathogenic bacteria (PhD thesis, Figure 4.3.1 from I-L; Page. No. 133) [14]. Therefore, it can be said that our study explain the importance and utility of dietary cucurbits suggesting the rigorous additional research towards exploring the health promoting and anti-aging efficacies of certain phytochemicals present in these group of fruits (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Strains of Lactobacilli and S. boulardii were grown on MRS and YEPD growth medium and optical density was read at the intervals of 2 h for 24 h.

Biofilm formation: Bacteria exhibit two life forms-planktonic (independent free living bacteria) and sessile aggregate. Bacterial biofilms are sessile aggregate of single or mixed population of different types of bacteria. Biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria have killed millions of peoples worldwide [15] whereas biofilms of beneficial bacteria such as probiotics have been implicated as protective barrier and provide colonization resistance against pathogenic bacteria [16]. Gut-associated biofilm of probiotic bacterial communities modulate enteric barrier functions and immunity [17]. Furthermore, biofilms of Lactobacilli have been reported to produce anti-pathogenic and antiinflammatory factors that confer specific health benefits [18]. Biofilms of different species of probiotic bacteria formed on the gut mucosa needs to be protected and maintained. This can be achieved by dietary intervention of antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables and prebiotics. Furthermore probiotic Lactobacilli form a biofilm along the enteric mucosal surface and mitigate the activities of opportunistic bacterial pathogens and exogenous pathogens as well. Cucurbit fruit extracts have been reported to contain anti-oxidant compounds and secondary metabolites of therapeutic importance. Probiotic Lactobacilli have been reported to be involved in modulation of barrier function of the gut. In the present study extracts were found to support growth and biofilm formation of probiotic Lactobacilli. Methanol extracts were found to enhance growth of probiotics and effective concentration was determined (93.60 μg/mL-115.40μg/mL). These extracts were found slightly more effective than aqueous extracts (103 μg/mL-121 μg/ mL). 450μg/mL of extracts was used for the study of biofilm formation because at this concentration maximum influx of nutrient was found to be utilized as evidenced in our previous study [11]. The methanol extracts of Ls and Lc were found more effective to show increased growth and biofilms of probiotics as compared to the normal control in which there were no supplement of extracts. The extract of Cm was also found less effective in comparison of Ls and Lc but more effective than positive control where inulin was used as prebiotic compound. Ls and Lc were found to exhibit inhibitory effect on developing biofilms of pathogenic E. coli and S. enterica typhi thereby suggesting prebiotic action and therapeutic implications of these extracts. Cm was found to support the formation of the biofilms of pathogenic bacteria (E. coli and S. enterica typhi) as compared to Ls, Lc and inulin. Daily consumption of Cm vegetable fruit might be harmful and chronic infection of pathogenic enteric bacteria may be established. On the other hand Lagenaria siceraria (Ls) and Luffa cylindrica (Lc) were found safe due to not showing any support on growth of the biofilms formed by enteric pathogens (E. coli and S. enterica typhi). Individual compounds present in the extracts needs to be evaluated in animal model before formulation of therapeutic products. However, we therefore may suggest the consumption of Ls (bottle guard) and Lc (sponge guard) in adequate quantities would augment heath benefit through balancing and improving the function of enteric microbiome and host-microbes interactions (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Effect of extracts on biofilm formation.

Probiotic Lactobacilli form biofilm along the gut mucosal lining and modulate barrier function of the gut. Extracts of bottle and sponge guards were found to support biofilms of probiotic strains whereas inhibit pathogenic bacteria to form biofilms. Extract of Pumpkin was found to support growth and biofilms of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, excluding pumpkin, two other cucurbits studied in the present research were found safe for health and can be consumed in adequate amount continuously. Cucurbit derived nutraceutical may be formulated for prophylactic and therapeutic uses to cure some ailments associated with the gut and systemic organs.

The authors report no conflict of interest. This study was financially supported by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and University Grant Commission (UGC), Government of India.