The effect of nonylphenol on the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
OBJECTIVE
Nonylphenol (NP) is a well-known environmental hormone recognized as detrimental to the reproductive systems of aquatic animals and humans. The effect of NP on probiotics in the human gastrointestinal tract remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of NP on the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.


METHODS
L. acidophilus and B. bifidum were grown in anaerobic cultures. Both strains were incubated with and without NP. The dose effects of NP on the growth of both probiotics were compared, and the effects of NP on the growth of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum in different concentrations were evaluated.


RESULTS
NP 5 to 10 microg/mL inhibited the growth of L. acidophilus (p < 0.05), but was ineffective at 2.5 microg/mL (p > 0.05). NP significantly inhibited the growth of B. bifidum in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). NP inhibited the growth of different concentrations of L. acidophilus (6.25 x 10(4); to 2.5 x 10(5); colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) and B. bifidum (1.25 x 10(9); to 5.0 x 10(9); CFU/mL) [p < 0.05].


CONCLUSIONS
Growth of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum was inhibited by NP. This finding suggests that NP may interfere with normal gastrointestinal microbiota. This may alter immunomodulation in the intestinal mucosa and may be correlated with an increase in the incidence of allergic diseases or other gastrointestinal disorders.
Hsu
Wan Ting
WT
Department of Clinical Pathology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lin
Tzu Hsun
TH
Chang
Eddy Essen
EE
Hung
Chih Hsing
CH
Huang
Ay Lin
AL
Wu
Tzu Ching
TC
Lee
You Hsuan
YH
Su
Yi Sheng
YS
Huang
Chien Jung
CJ
D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019936:Probiotics
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D010636:Phenols; C025256:nonylphenol