COMPOSITION

Abstract

The present invention relates to one or more strains of Lactobacilli and a cholesterol modifying agent (such as an oilgosaccharide) for use in modifying the absorption of cholesterol in an individual or the treatment of heart disease, diabetes or obesity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a probiotic and prebiotic composition which is useful in the management of cholesterol levels.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Probiotics are bacteria which confer health benefits to a host. Typically, cultures of probiotic bacterial strains are consumed or administered to individuals in order to supplement the naturally occurring bacteria population of the gut. A number of health benefits have been associated with probiotics, including reducing the incidence of cancer, diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome to name a few. Probiotics have the potential to help in the management in a number of physiological conditions and act to reduce the absorption of certain ingested substances, such as lipids. Preliminary studies also indicate that probiotics can be useful in reducing serum levels of cholesterol and blood pressure and help modulate diabetes and reduce weight.

Lactobacilli are common probiotics in diary products and make up approximately 75% of probiotics currently sold. However, it has been estimated that only 2% of Lactobacilli dose survives be effective in the gut.

Prebiotics are dietary ingredients which can selectively enhance beneficial indigenous gut microbiota, such as lactobacilli or bifidobacteria, and are finding much increased application into the food sector. Prebiotics are non digestible food ingredients that are selectively metabolised by colonic bacteria which contribute to improved health. As such, their use can promote beneficial changes within the indigenous gut microbial milieu and they can therefore help survivability of probiotics. They are distinct from most dietary fibres like pectin, celluloses, xylan, which are not selectively metabolised in the gut. Criteria for classification as a prebiotic is that it must resist gastric acidity, hydrolysis by mammalian enzymes and gastrointestinal absorption, it is fermented by intestinal microflora and selectively stimulates the growth and/or activity of intestinal bacteria associated with health and well-being.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS, inulin and oligofructose) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) have been demonstrated to fulfil the criteria for prebiotic classification repeatedly in human intervention studies. Currently, no prebiotic for Lactobacilli exists.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination of a Lactobacilli probiotic and specific prebiotic for the Lactobacilli which would be suitable for use in modifying the absorption of cholesterol in an individual. It would also be beneficial if the probiotic composition could also be used to treat other physiological conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition comprising a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity and a cholesterol modifying agent.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in modifying the absorption of cholesterol in an individual comprising a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity and a cholesterol modifying agent.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for use in the treatment of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or obesity comprising a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity and a cholesterol modifying agent.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a composition in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or obesity, wherein the composition comprises a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity and a cholesterol modifying agent

For any aspect, the strain or strains of the composition may comprise at least one strain selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401); and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 or mutant strains thereof.

The term “mutant strain” in the context of this patent application is intended to mean any strains which are directly derived from those strains disclosed, but which are phenotypically different due to the introduction of one or more genetic mutations (whether by genetic engineering or selection).

The cholesterol modifying agent comprises oligosaccharides. Preferably, the oligosaccharide is selected from one or more of the following: β-galactosidases, α-galactosidases, α- and β-glucosidases, α-mannosidases, or β-xylosidases. More preferably, the bacterial strain is capable of producing the oligosaccharides by reverse enzyme reaction.

The cholesterol modifying agent may comprise a selective growth medium for the strain or strains of Lactobacilli.

The composition may further comprise a prebiotic or a secondary prebiotic if the cholesterol modifying agent comprises a prebiotic.

The probiotic composition will preferably be present in the composition in an effective amount so as to elicit a change in the absorption profile of cholesterol in the small intestine. Preferably, the cultures will be administered to an individual in an amount in the range of 10⁵ cfu/g to 10¹² cfu/g. More preferably, the probiotic bacterial strain is in an amount in the range of 10⁸ cfu/g to 10⁹ cfu/g. Although it will be appreciated that different dosages may be administered depending upon the individuals' condition.

The strain may be encapsulated. Many encapsulation techniques will be apparent to the skilled addressee and the one employed will be tailored to the required stability of the probiotic culture during digestive transit. The encapsulate may comprise a prebiotic specifically tailored to the probiotic.

The probiotic composition may further comprise an excipient or carrier compound to enable it to be released at the most appropriate time for reducing cholesterol absorption. Typically, the culture must survive relatively intact until it reaches the intestinal enterocytes of the small intestine.

The composition may be in a number of food stuff formats, such as a drinkable liquid, a spread and/or powder which can be mixed with a solid or liquid food stuff.

The composition may be combined with one or more active ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and combinations thereof.

Vitamins may include fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, vitamins can include water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), the B vitamins (thiamine or B 1, riboflavoin or B25 niacin or B3, pyridoxine or B6, folic acid or B9, cyanocobalimin or B12, pantothenic acid, biotin), and combinations thereof.

Minerals may include but are not limited to sodium, magnesium, chromium, iodine, iron, manganese, calcium, copper, fluoride, potassium, phosphorous, molybdenum, selenium, zinc, and combinations thereof.

Antioxidants may include but are not limited to ascorbic acid, citric acid, rosemary oil, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin E phosphate, tocopherols, di-alpha-tocopheryl phosphate, tocotrienols, alpha lipoic acid, dihydrolipoic acid, xanthophylls, beta cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, carotenes, mixed carotenoids, polyphenols, fiavonoids, and combinations thereof.

Phytochemicals may include but are not limited to cartotenoids, chlorophyll, chlorophyllin, fiber, flavanoids, anthocyamns, cyaniding, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, flavanols, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epigailocatechingallate, theaflavins, thearubigins, proanthocyanins, flavonols, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, flavononeshesperetin, naringenin, eriodictyol, tangeretin, flavones, apigenin, luteolin, lignans, phytoestrogens, resveratrol, isoflavones, daidzein, genistein, glycitein, soy isoflavones, and combinations thereof.

Alternative (or additionally) to a pharmaceutical or medicament, the composition may be used as a dietary supplement, a nutraceutical or a functional food. Furthermore, the composition could be incorporated into an existing food stuffs, such as yoghurt, food spread or as a powder which can be easily blended with foodstuffs or made into a liquid drink. The composition may also be formulated into to dietary supplement.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of producing the composition as herein above described, comprising mixing a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity with a cholesterol modifying agent in a biologically effective amount.

It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that the method of producing the composition may also incorporate further steps and incorporating or mixing the composition with additional components as described above.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating an individual with elevated cholesterol serum levels, heart disease, diabetes or obesity by administering an effective amount of at least one of the strains selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401) and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 or mutant strains thereof and a cholesterol modifying agent.

A method may comprise administering two or more strains selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401) and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 or mutant strains thereof.

It will be apparent to the skilled addressee that a number of the features of the composition listed in respect to the earlier aspects of the invention will of course be interchangeable with the method and can form a composition which is adminsitered to an individual.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only in which:

FIG. 1A is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. plantarum in Experiment 1;

FIG. 1B is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. casei in Experiment 1;

FIG. 10 is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. salivarius in Experiment 1;

FIG. 1D is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. fermentum in Experiment 1;

FIG. 1E is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. rhanmosus in Experiment 1;

FIG. 1F is a graph of bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. delbrueckii in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2A is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. plantarum in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2B is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. casei in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2C is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. salivarius in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2D is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. delbrueckii in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2E is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. rhanmosus in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2F is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. acidophilus in Experiment 1;

FIG. 2G is a graph of bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. helveticus in Experiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of different bacterial strains over 14 hours (OD₆₀₀ measured every hour) in 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol concentration in MRS media in Experiment 1;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of different bacterial strains over 2 days prior to testing (OD₆₀₀ measured every hour) in 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol concentration in MRS media in Experiment 1;

FIG. 5 is a photograph of Lactobacilli strains gown in MRSA on a 96 well plate under aerobic conditions in Experiment 2;

FIG. 6 is a photograph of Lactobacilli strains grown on a 96 well plate under anaerobic conditions, the strains being grown in MRSA only (control), MRSA+0.5% GDCA, MRSA+0.5% TDCA, MRSA+0.5% Oxgal; and MRSA+2% Oxgal in Experiment 2;

FIG. 7 is a photograph of Lactobacilli strains grown on a 96 well plate under aerobic conditions, the strains being grown in MRSA only (control), MRSA+0.5% GDCA, MRSA+0.5% TDCA, MRSA+0.5% Oxgal; and MRSA+2% Oxgal in Experiment 2;

FIG. 8 is a pie chart showing the diverse range of Lactobacilli strains which underwent high throughput screening;

FIG. 9 is a bar chart showing the results of the 24 strains which were identified for further analysis of their cholesterol reducing ability;

FIG. 10 is a bar chart showing the results of the 24 strains shown in FIG. 5 after normalizing cholesterol assimilation to the optical density;

FIG. 11 is a bar chart showing the powder count of a number of strains during the freeze drying experiments;

FIG. 12 is a bar chart showing the freeze drying survival of a number of strains during the freeze drying experiments;

FIG. 13 is a bar chart showing the in vitro stomach survival of a number of strains which had been freeze dried;

FIG. 14 is a bar chart showing the bile salt hydrolase activity at 200 μM GDC for strains B4321, B2828 and B2830; and

FIG. 15 is a bar chart showing the bile salt hydrolase activity (Oxgal) for strains B4321, B2828 and B2830.

EXPERIMENT 1

The basis of these experiments were to reversibly use β-galactosidases in microorganisms so as to produce a novel GOS. Ordinarily, β-galactosidases would digest lactose. However, by changing the reaction conditions, in terms of substrate and temperature, the enzyme acts reversibly and generates an oligosaccharide version of the lactose (GOS).

Lactobacilli are more frequently used as probiotics than are bifidobacteria, yet no prebiotic selective to lactobacilli exists. As these probiotics also harbour β-galactosidase activity, the experiments induced the production of GOS which was specific to these probiotics. The metabolism of prebiotics like GOS are species specific (as evidenced by Bi-Immuno and Bifido bacteria), so a Lactobacilli GOS has the potentially enhance the growth, survivability, and health benefits of lactobacilli.

The experiments undertaken were as follows:

• • 1. Assemble and test a range of probiotic lactobacilli for their capacity to generate GOS and measuring β-galactosidase activities;
  • 2. Generate a prebiotic GOS using the reverse enzyme procedure;
  • 3. Scale up of the novel molecule to allow in vitro testing;
  • 4. Compare survival and growth of lactobacilli in the absence and presence of the prebiotic in a series of ‘gut model’ experiments that test the probiotics and synbiotics;
  • 5. Assess the possibility for using GOS as encapsulation material for the lactobacilli; and
  • 6. Test delivery properties of the encapsulation material.

The bacterial strains initially investigated during the first stage of the experiments are shown below in Table 1:

	TABLE 1
	Strain	Number	Origin
	Lactobacillus acidophilus	NCIMB 30184	Human
	Lactobacillus rhamnosus	NCIMB 30188	Human
	Lactobacillus plantarum	NCIMB 30187	Pickled cabbage
	Lactobacillus delbrueckii	NCIMB 30186	Yogurt
	ssp. bulgaricus
	Lactobacillus casei	NCIMB 30185	Cheese
	Lactobacillus salivarius	NCIMB 30225	Human
	ssp. salivarius
	Lactobacillus fermentum	NCIMB 30226	Dairy
	Lacobacillus helveticus	NCIMB 30224	Dairy
	Lactobacillus fermentum	ATCC11976	Human
	Lactobacillus salivarius	ATCC 11741	Human

Bacterial growth curve determination was undertaken by sampling cultures at Oh, 3 h, 5 h, 8 and 24 h intervals using a 100 μL of dilution series of culture in 900 μL PBS. 20 μL of each series was spread onto a jar and with a negative control and growth assessed.

Bacterial count of several of the strains was assessed by using 0.1% lactose as the growth medium. FIGS. 1A-1F show that bacterial count over time using 0.1% lactose as a growth medium for L. plantarum, L. casei, L. salivarius, L. fermentum, L. rhanmosus, and L. delbrueckii all resulted in a steady growth curve from approximately 6.5 log10 CFU/ml to just over 9.5 log10 CFU/ml at around 13 hours and growth tailed off as it did not increase by 25 hours.

Bacterial count of several of the strains was assessed by using 5% lactose as the growth medium. FIGS. 2A-2G show the bacterial count over time using 5% lactose as a growth medium for L. plantarum, L. casei, L. salivarius, L. delbrueckii, L. rhanmosus, L. acidophilus and L. helveticus. Again, all resulted in a steady growth curve from approximately 6.5 log10 CFU/ml to just over 9.5 log10 CFU/ml at around 13 hours and growth was then flat as it did not increase by 25 hours.

Cholesterol was then included in the culture medium of the bacterial strains and each strain tested for quantity of cholesterol after incubation.

The cholesterol assay used relies on the following formula:

% cholesterol×dry weight (g)⁻¹=(B-T/B×100)/W

Where B=cholesterol content in the uninoculated control mg/l⁻¹, T=cholesterol in culture medium mg/l⁻¹ and W=cells (dry weight g after 12 h of inc).

The pellet weight of the culture was measured independently of the supernanent and the spent broth (evaporated residues) also measured. The cholesterol assay was run in triplicate in several runs.

FIG. 3 shows the growth of different bacterial strains over 14 hours (OD₆₀₀ measured every hour) in 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol concentration in MRS media and shows that some bacterial strains were much more effective at growing in this media. L. Planatarum showed the best growth profile, followed by L. delbrueckii, L. casei and L. fermentum.

FIG. 3 shows the growth of different bacterial strains over 12 hours (OD₆₀₀ measured every hour) in 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol concentration in MRS media and shows that some bacterial strains were much more effective at growing in this media. L. planatarum showed the best growth profile, followed by L. delbrueckii, L. casei and L. fermentum.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of different bacterial strains over 2 days prior to testing (OD₆₀₀ measured every hour) in 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol concentration in MRS media. L. fermentum showed the best growth profile, followed by L. rhanmosus, L. halveticus, L. halveticus and L. salivarius.

Direct plate assay tests were then conducted on the strains to further measure cholesterol activity. Resting cell Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) activity was measured to assess the release of amino acids from hydrolysis of conjugated bile acids. Bile salt deconjugation (based upon the release of free cholic acid) was measured and finally co-precipitation of cholesterol with deconjugated bile assessed. Table 2 below shows the results of the direct plate assay.

	TABLE 2
	Bacteria	1st run	2nd run	3rd run
	L. casei	Y	Y	Y
	L. delbrueckii	Y	Y	Y
	L. acidophilus	Y	Y	Y
	L. fermentum	X	Y	Y
	L. salivarius	X	X	X
	L. halveticus	Y	X	X
	L. rhamnosus	X	X	X
	L. plantarum	X	Y	Y
	L. salivarius*	X	X	X
	L. fermentum*	X	X	Y

It can be seen that L. casei, L. delbrueckii and L. acidophilus all had reliable BSH activity. However, L. fermentum and L. plantarum also had successful growths (2 out of 3 runs) and L. plantarum had previously proved particularly effective at growing on 0.4% oxgall and 100 mg/L cholesterol as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

By comparing the results of the strains being able to grow in media containing cholesterol and those strains having BSH activity L. casei, L. delbrueckii, L. fermentum and L. plantarum appeared to be suitable candidates for producing and identifying a specific prebiotic GOS.

The GOS prebiotic generated by a specific strain has optimised metabolism not just to produce the GOS, but also to metabolise it (as it is generated from a reverse enzyme procedure). The GOS can therefore be incorporated with the probiotic into a synbiotic that would create a highly selective environment for the probiotic. As a probiotic can have a specific health benefits then a synbiotic formula which is tailored to a specific health benefit can be generated.

EXPERIMENT 2

In parallel to Experiment 1, an initial high throughput screening (HTS) trial of 718 strains of Lactobacilli was conducted to assess the resistance to different types of bile salts.

Further experiments were then conducted to investigate bile precipitation in 286 resistant strains in order to establish bile salt hydrolase activity.

The strains tested were: Lactobacilli acidophilus, Lactobacilli helveticus, Lactobacilli alimentarius, Lactobacilli brevis, Lactobacilli buchneri, Lactobacilli casei (including subspecies: rhamnosus, casei, tolerans, pseudoplantarum, paracasei, alactotsus and rhamnosus), Lactobacilli crispatus, Lactobacilli curvatus (including subspecies: curvatus), Lactobacilli delbrueckii (including subspecies: bulgaricus and lactis), Lactobacilli fermentum, Lactobacilli panis, Lactobacilli paracasei (including subspecies: paracasei), Lactobacilli pentosus, Lactobacilli planatarum, Lactobacilli rhamnosus, Lactobacilli sakei, Lactobacilli salivarius (including subspecies: salivarius).

Strains were grown overnight in MRS at 37° C. Of these cultures glycerol stocks were made and stored at −80° C. A microtiterplate was inoculated and all strains were placed in quadriplicate into masterplates.

The bile salts used in these experiments were purchased from Sigma® and were as follows: Sodium glycodeoxycholate (GDCA) (Sigma product number G3258, CAS: 16409-34-0); sodium taurodeoxycholate hydrate (TDCA) (Sigma product number T0875, CAS: 207737-97-1) and Bile bovine (Oxgal) (Sigma product number B3883, CAS: 8008-63-7). The concentrations of the bile salts used in the experiments were as follows: 0.5% GDCA; 0.5% TDCA; 0.5% oxgal; and 2.0% oxgal. In vitro data using glycodeoxycholate is believed to be more likely to reflect the likelihood of product efficacy as it more closely mimics the in vivo human environment.

Overnight cultures were grown in 96 well plates in MRSA at 37° C. Then 5 μl of the cultures spotted into wells containing 150 μl MRSA agar with added bile salts in 96 well plates and incubated for 48 hours under aerobic/anaerobic conditions. pH conditions were monitored so as to ensure proper growth of the strains.

The results showed that certain strains do grow on the MRSA plates under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Table 3 below shows all of the positive results from the initial HTS where a particular strain is capable of growing (assessed by measurement of OD₆₀₀) on a range of bile salts under anaerobic conditions:

TABLE 3
	Average of	Average of	Average of	Average of	Average of	Average of	Average of	Average of
Lactobacilli	0.5%	0.5%	0.5%	0.5%	0.5%	0.5%	2.0%	2.0%
species/strain	TDCA-24 h	TDCA-72 h	GDCA-24 h	GDCA-72 h	Oxgal-24 h	Oxgal-72 h	Oxgal-24 h	Oxgal-72 h
Lactobacillus brevis	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
293	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
306	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
1692	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Lactobacillus casei	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
262	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
1694	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Lactobacillus	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
plantarum
1683	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2258	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2471	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2472	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2475	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2478	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2480	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2481	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2487	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2490	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2491	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2492	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2534	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2536	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2819	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2826	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2828	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2830	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2831	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
2832	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
4038	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
299 (1837)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
AbBio	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
WCFS1 (1836)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Lactobacillus	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
salivarius ssp.
Salivarius
NCIMB 30225	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

FIG. 5 illustrates that many strains grow well in MRSA under aerobic conditions. As shown in FIG. 7, GDCA inhibits growth of the strains in all cases under aerobic conditions but as shown in FIG. 6 under anaerobic conditions some strains do grow in GDCA. 2.0% Oxgal was found to inhibit the growth of some strains in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The plates in FIGS. 6 and 7 show good growth for the following strains: (Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8026, Lactobacillus fermentum ATCC 11976, Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 8826, Lactobacillus plantarum AbBio, Lactobacillus helveticus LBK-16H, Lactobacillus plantarum WCF51 (1836), Lactobacillus plantarum NCIMB 30187, Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (1837). When these results are compared with the growth data of comparative strains grown in a medium containing 100 mg/L cholesterol in Experiment 1 (and illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) it appears that Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum have excellent growth in the presence of cholesterol and are resistive to bile salts and have bile salt hydrolase activity.

Table 4 below shows a brief summary of the growth results:

TABLE 4
Media      Strains grown at 20/72 hours
0.5% TDCA  163/208
0.5% GDCA  38/45
0.5% Oxgal 116/160
2.0% Oxgal 84/103

A total of 41 strains were found to grow in the presence of all three bile salts present at 0.5%.

Bile salt hydrolase activity in resistant strains was then assessed by spotting 5 μl into “PCR tube plate” (150 μl of agar in a thin walled microcentrifuge tubes). These tube plates were grown under the same conditions as the 96 well plates (MRS+0.5% TDCA, MRS+0.5% GDCA, MRS+0.5% oxgal, MRS+2.0% oxgal, MRS without bile (control)).

The plates were incubated anaerobically at 37° and bile precipitation (related to bile salt hydrolase activity) was assessed after 24 and 48 h using the following scoring system: Record growth as +or − for BSH activity. The positives were then selected for subsequent streaking onto MRS plates containg 0.5% oxgal.

After 72 hours, positive strains had been identified. The positive cultures only showed precipitation in GDCA and TDCA.

FIG. 8 shows the range of strains used in the initial high throughput screening assay.

After narrowing down the number of strains to 24 based on earler BSH activity, further screening of the cholesterol assimilation in MRS medium supplemented with 0.4% was conducted.

Table 3 below shows the results of the selected strains and their average % cholesterol reduction.

TABLE 3
	Biological	Biological			Biological	Biological
	replicate 1	replicate 2	Biological	Biological	replicate 1	replicate 2	Average
	OD after	OD after	replicate 1	replicate 2	%	%	%
	24 hours	24 hours	Cholesterol	Cholesterol	cholesterol	cholesterol	cholesterol
Strain	growth	growth	in mg/l	in mg/l	reduction	reduction	reduction
306	1.58	1.45	21.0	19.6	5.7	12.0	8.9
2490	1.31	1.28	19.1	21.5	14.4	3.7	9.1
2471	1.55	1.53	19.7	19.4	11.4	13.1	12.2
2475	0.72	0.75	19.1	20.0	14.4	10.4	12.4
2478	1.56	1.5	19.0	19.2	14.7	14.0	14.3
2480	1.2	1.04	19.3	18.3	13.4	18.0	15.7
1708	2.2	1.9	18.1	19.4	18.7	13.1	15.9
2472	1.66	1.95	19.0	17.6	14.9	21.0	17.9
2260	3.52	3.62	11.5	11.3	48.2	49.1	48.7
ATCC 11976	1.37	1.44	2.63	6.77	71.5	26.8	49.2
293	3.54	3.27	10.8	11.4	51.7	48.7	50.2
1836	3.61	3.75	9.7	12.3	56.3	44.6	50.5
1837	3.6	3.72	10.1	10.0	54.4	54.9	54.7
2481{circumflex over ( )}	1.45	1.42	1.0	18.4	95.4	17.3	56.3
1683	4.28	3.92	10.6	8.6	52.4	61.3	56.9
2535	2.65	2.62	9.1	8.1	59.3	63.5	61.4
ATCC 11741	1.24	1.33	3.43	3.50	62.9	62.1	62.5
2826	3.28	4.36	7.3	6.8	67.0	69.4	68.2
2691	3.12	2.68	7.1	5.7	68.2	74.4	71.3
ATCC 43121	3.15	4.52	6.4	4.4	71.4	80.1	75.7
2831	3.75	3.81	4.5	5.5	79.6	75.4	77.5
2830	3.22	2.84	5.3	4.5	76.1	79.7	77.9
2828	3.4	3.02	na**	4.0		82.2	82.2
NCIMB30187	2.75	2.58	3.5	4.3	84.4	80.8	82.6

FIG. 9 shows the results of the table in a bar chart and illustrates that there is a big difference between the first 8 strains compared to the rest of the strains.

Table 4 below and FIG. 10 shows the normalized cholesterol assimilation relative to the optical density.

TABLE 4
	Biological	Biological			Biological	Biological	Average
	replicate 1	replicate 2	Biological	Biological	replicate 1	replicate 2	mg
	OD after	OD after	replicate 1	replicate 2	mg	mg	cholesterol
	24 hours	24 hours	Cholesterol	Cholesterol	reduction	reduction	reduction
Strain	growth	growth	in mg/l	in mg/l	per OD	per OD	per OD
306	1.58	1.45	21.0	19.6	0.8	1.8	1.3
2490	1.31	1.28	19.1	21.5	2.5	0.6	1.5
1708	2.2	1.9	18.1	19.4	1.9	1.5	1.7
2471	1.55	1.53	19.7	19.4	1.6	1.9	1.8
2478	1.56	1.5	19.0	19.2	2.1	2.1	2.1
2472	1.66	1.95	19.0	17.6	2.0	2.4	2.2
2260	3.52	3.62	11.5	11.3	3.1	3.0	3.0
1836	3.61	3.75	9.7	12.3	3.5	2.7	3.1
1683	4.28	3.92	10.6	8.6	2.7	3.5	3.1
2480	1.2	1.04	19.3	18.3	2.5	3.9	3.2
293	3.54	3.27	10.8	11.4	3.3	3.3	3.3
1837	3.6	3.72	10.1	10.0	3.4	3.3	3.3
2475	0.72	0.75	19.1	20.0	4.5	3.1	3.8
2826	3.28	4.36	7.3	6.8	4.6	3.5	4.0
ATCC 43121	3.15	4.52	6.4	4.4	5.0	3.9	4.5
2831	3.75	3.81	4.5	5.5	4.7	4.4	4.6
2535	2.65	2.62	9.1	8.1	5.0	5.4	5.2
2691	3.12	2.68	7.1	5.7	4.9	6.2	5.5
2830	3.22	2.84	5.3	4.5	5.3	6.3	5.8
2828	3.4	3.02	na*	4.0		6.1	6.1
NCIMB 30187	2.75	2.58	3.5	4.3	6.8	7.0	6.9
ATCC 11976	1.37	1.44	2.63	6.77	8.6	5.3	6.9
ATCC 11741	1.24	1.33	3.43	3.50	8.8	8.2	8.5
2481{circumflex over ( )}	1.45	1.42	1.0	18.4	14.7	2.7	8.7

An assessment was then made comparing the results of the strains based in % cholesterol reduction (table 5 below) and cholesterol reduction normalised to OD (table 6 below) in the context of their potential growth efficacy in the gut.

TABLE 5
(interesting candidates are underlined)
	sorted by “% cholesterol reduction”
		Average
	Average	mg
	%	cholesterol	BSH activity; week 27 (some
	cholesterol	reduction	strains did not grow - na)	BSH activity - week 30
Strain	reduction	per OD	TDCA	GDCA	0.5Oxgal	2oxgal	TDCA	GDCA	0.5Oxgal	2oxgal	L. species
306	8.9	1.3	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	brevis
2490	9.1	1.5	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	plantarum
2471	12.2	1.8	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	plantarum
2475	12.4	3.8	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	plantarum
2478	14.3	2.1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum
2480	15.7	3.2	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum
1708	15.9	1.7	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	brevis
2472	17.9	2.2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	plantarum
2260	48.7	3.0	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
293	50.2	3.3	0	0	1	0	0	3	3	3	brevis
1836	50.5	3.1	0	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	plantarum
1837	54.7	3.3	0	2	1	0	0	3	1	1	plantarum
2481	56.3	8.7	0	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum
1683	56.9	3.1	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2535	61.4	5.2	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
ATCC 11976	67.3	6.9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	fermentum
2826	68.2	4.0	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2691	71.3	5.5	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
ATCC 43121	75.7	4.5	3	0	2	1	3	0	0	0	acidophilus
ATCC 11741	75.9	8.5	na	na	na	na	0	0	0	0	salivarius
2831	77.5	4.6	na	na	na	na	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2830	77.9	5.8	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2828	82.2	6.1	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
NCIMB 30187	82.6	6.9	na	na	na	na	na	na	na	na	plantarum

TABLE 6
(interesting candidates are underlined)
	sorted by “mg cholesterol reduction normalized to OD”
		Average
	Average	mg
	%	cholesterol	BSH activity; week 27 (some
	cholesterol	reduction	strains did not grow - na)	BSH activity - week 30
Strain	reduction	per OD	TDCA	GDCA	0.5Oxgal	2oxgal	TDCA	GDCA	0.5Oxgal	2oxgal	L. species
306	8.9	1.3	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	brevis
2490	9.1	1.5	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	plantarum
1708	15.9	1.7	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	brevis
2471	12.2	1.8	0	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	plantarum
2478	14.3	2.1	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum
2472	17.9	2.2	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	plantarum
2260	48.7	3.0	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
1836	50.5	3.1	0	1	1	0	0	1	1	1	plantarum
1683	56.9	3.1	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2480	15.7	3.2	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum
293	50.2	3.3	0	0	1	0	0	3	3	3	brevis
1837	54.7	3.3	0	2	1	0	0	3	1	1	plantarum
2475	12.4	3.8	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	1	plantarum
2826	68.2	4.0	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
ATCC 43121	75.7	4.5	3	0	2	1	3	0	0	0	acidophilus
2831	77.5	4.6	na	na	na	na	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2535	61.4	5.2	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2691	71.3	5.5	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2830	77.9	5.8	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
2828	82.2	6.1	0	3	1	0	0	3	0	0	plantarum
NCIMB 30187	82.6	6.9	na	na	na	na	na	na	na	na	plantarum
ATCC 11976	67.3	6.9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	fermentum
ATCC 11741	75.9	8.5	na	na	na	na	0	0	0	0	salivarius
2481	56.3	8.7	0	2	0	0	0	2	1	1	plantarum

Strains 2828 (ECGC 13110403), 2830 (ECGC 13110402), 2691 (ECGC 13110401) and ATCC43121 show high cholesterol reduction and good BSH activity in both analysis above in tables 5 and 6. The in vitro tests conducted strongly suggest that these strains, whether in combination with one another or individually, would be suitable for use in modifying the absorption of cholesterol or in the treatment of heart disease, diabetes or obesity in an individual. These strains could be used in conjunction with growth specific prebiotics to encourage and support growth.

Experiments were then conducted to look at how well a number of strains coped with being freeze dried and also the subsequent BSH activity towards specific bile salts of three selected strains.

The first step was to ferment a number of strains. Strains were found to acidify all carriers and cryoprotectants chosen. It was assessed that formulations should be worked cold during production. The choice of carriers and their final concentrations were as follows: 82%MD+14% Sorbitol (MD=maltodextrin) (rest medium, and bacteria) and 82% MD+14% Sucrose. All strains grew well on the Nitrogen sources selected with a mix of Yeast extract and Soy peptone. No animal ingredients were suggested for the validation, but it was assessed that the soy peptone may cause insoluble precipitate, which could hinder the downstream processing in the future. Ideally, it was assessed that the medium to be used in production is based on 100% YE, with no other Nitrogen sources. Table 7 below shows the summary of the results of the fermentation and viability rates for the three chosen strains (B4321, B2828 and B2830) in the media. In the following data, B4321 relates to the same strain as B2691 referred to earlier.

	TABLE 7
	Strain
	B4321 (B2691)	B2828	B2830
	Media
	Sorbitol	Sucrose	Sorbitol	Sucrose	Sorbitol	Sucrose
Coagulation	YES	NO	NO
ODmax-fermentation	9.5	12.9	15.7
CFU-fermentation	7.5E+09	1.4E+10	1.6E+10
Cells/OD	8E+08	1E+09	1E+09
Conversion factor in	24%	24%	18%	17%	14%	14%
Carrier
CFU in Carrier solution	3.9E+09	4.1E+09	2.1E+09	2.5E+09	1.8E+09	2.2E+09
(30% DM)
CFU in powder	3.24E+09	4.12E+09	2.35E+09	2.82E+09	1.38E+09	2.62E+09
Survival freeze drying	28%	34%	39%	39%	27%	41%

FIG. 11 shows the powder counts for a number of strains, whereas FIG. 12 shows the freeze drying survival of those same strains.

FIG. 13 shows the survival of the strains in the stomach. Strain B4321 (B2691) clearly survives better under the conditions tested -109 CFU/mL Stationary cells incubated for 60 min at pH 2.45 in a Na/K/HCI solution with Pepsin adn lipase.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the Bile Salt Hydrolase activity on the chosen strains. B2828 and B2830 converted nearly 100% of the substrate in 3 hrs. Therefore no discrimination appeared to be possible between these strains.

The forgoing embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the protection afforded by the claims, but rather to describe examples of how the invention may be put into practice.

Deposition of Biological Material

A deposition of biological material was made for the purposes of a United Kingdom patent application at the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) in the UK. The NCTC is a recognised International Depository Authority (IDA) under the Budapest Treaty.

Each of the strains deposited at the NCTC in the UK have been assigned a number with the prefix ECGC. ECGC stands for European Culture General Collection.

It should be noted that B2691 (ECGC 13110401) was originally phenotypically classified as a L. reteri upon deposition at the NCTC. It has subsequently been found to be a L. plantarum based upon genetic analysis and this strain is referred to in this application as B2691 and renamed B4321 in later experiments.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity and a cholesterol modifying agent; wherein the strain or strains comprise at least one strain selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401); and Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 43121) or mutant strains thereof.

2. The composition of claim 1 for use in modifying the absorption of cholesterol in an individual.

3. The composition of claim 1 for use in the treatment of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or obesity.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cholesterol modifying agent comprises oligosaccharides.

5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the oligosaccharide is selected from one or more of the following: β-galactosidases, α-galactosidases, α- and β-glucosidases, α-mannosidases, or β-xylosidases.

6. The composition of claim 4, wherein the bacterial strain is capable of producing the oligosaccharides by reverse enzyme reaction.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cholesterol modifying agent comprises a selective growth medium for the strain or strains of Lactobacilli.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the strain or strains is/are in an amount in the range of 105 cfu/g to 1012 cfu/g.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is encapsulated.

10. The composition of claim 1, in the form of a foodstuff and/or for use as a dietary supplement.

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a prebiotic or a secondary prebiotic if the cholesterol modifying agent comprises a prebiotic.

14. A method of producing the composition of claim 1, comprising mixing a strain or strains of Lactobacilli having an elevated bile salt hydrolase activity with a cholesterol modifying agent in a biologically effective amount; wherein the strain or strains comprise at least one strain selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401); and Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 43121) or mutant strains thereof.

15. A method of treating an individual with elevated cholesterol serum levels, heart disease, diabetes or obesity, the method comprising by administering an effective amount of at least one of the strains selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401) and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 or mutant strains thereof and a cholesterol modifying agent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the strain or strains comprise two or more strains selected from Lactobacillus plantarum 2828 (ECGC 13110403); Lactobacillus plantarum 2830 (ECGC 13110402); and Lactobacillus plantarum 2691 (ECGC 13110401) and Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 43121 or mutant strains thereof.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the cholesterol modifying agent comprises oligosaccharides, and optionally the oligosaccharide is selected from one or more of the following: β-galactosidases, α-galactosidases, α- and β-glucosidases, α-mannosidases, or β-xylosidases.

18. (canceled)

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the bacterial strain is capable of producing the oligosaccharides by reverse enzyme reaction.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the cholesterol modifying agent comprises a selective growth medium for the strain or strains of Lactobacilli.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the strain is in an amount in the range of 105 cfulg to 1012 cfulg.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the composition is encapsulated.

23. (canceled)

24. The method of claim 17 further comprising a prebiotic or a secondary prebiotic if the cholesterol modifying agent comprises a prebiotic.