In vitro growth responses of bifidobacteria and enteropathogens to bovine and human lactoferrin.
A series of in vitro experiments was performed to test the ability of bovine and human lactoferrin to influence the growth of the gram-positive probiotic bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, as well as the gram-negative enteric bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium. None of the lactoferrin preparations stimulated the growth of the tested strains. However, iron-free apo-lactoferrin (bovine and human) and 66% iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin dramatically slowed the growth of E. coli O157:H7 in single culture experiments, while 98% iron-saturated preparations had no effect. In coculture experiments of B. infantis and E. coli, the iron-limited preparations of lactoferrin also slowed the growth of the latter without inhibiting the bifidobacteria. These results suggest that lactoferrin in iron-limited forms may have the potential to be combined with probiotic bacteria in biotherapeutic products, which could help balance human gut microflora and limit the overgrowth of certain enteric microorganisms.
Griffiths
Elizabeth A
EA
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Kaleida Health, and School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14209, USA.
Duffy
Linda C
LC
Schanbacher
Floyd L
FL
Dryja
Diane
D
Leavens
Allen
A
Neiswander
Ronald L
RL
Qiao
Haiping
H
DiRienzo
Douglas
D
Ogra
Pearay
P
D000818:Animals; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002417:Cattle; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
D058085:Iron Compounds; D007781:Lactoferrin