A probiotic product derived from cellulose-degrading bacteria in the gut microbiota of water voles (genus arvicola)

Abstract

The invention pertains to a probiotic involving microorganisms associated with the cellulose digestion of Arvicola genus water voles, considering that their diet mainly consists of various plant species.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A PROBIOTIC PRODUCT DERIVED FROM CELLULOSE-DEGRADING BACTERIA IN THE GUT MICROBIOTA OF WATER VOLES (GENUS ARVICOLA)

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The invention pertains to a probiotic involving microorganisms associated with the cellulose digestion of Arvicola genus water voles, considering that their diet mainly consists of various plant species.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In the fundamental diet of humans, major polysaccharides such as hemicellulose and cellulose are present. However, cellulose cannot be digested by humans and is simply expelled in fibrous form since they lack the necessary enzymes to break it down. Animal intestines contain symbiotic microorganisms that aid in the breakdown of cellulose. Thus, 70% of the energy in animals, particularly ruminant ones, comes from microbial fermentation of plant material. Less than 10% of total energy in the human lower intestine is derived from the diet, in a similar mechanism. The microbial populations found in the intestines of both humans and ruminants are primarily made up of two phyla: Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Bacteria from these two phyla that are isolated from ruminant intestines are highly competent at decomposing and metabolizing cellulose and hemicellulose. Detailed examinations of this phyla's representatives in the human gut, however, have demonstrated that although these bacterial groups help in the fermentation of hemicellulose and help in its degradation, they are not involved in the breakdown of cellulose. The primary justification for the innovation is that because humans are unable to digest cellulose, they are deprived of the energy that could be obtained from plant fibers that are ingested externally. In conclusion, humans are unable to digest cellulose, resulting in a lack of energy derived from cellulose. This problem arises from humans not having enzymes that digest cellulose structurally or symbiotic microorganisms that break down cellulose in their intestines.

[0007] Probiotics are important for restoring or keeping the intestinal microbiota's equilibrium, which is essential for preventing illness and protecting the host's health. According to preclinical research, the Bacteroides genus may offer fresh, advantageous options for reducing inflammation. This is accomplished by regulating the expression of cytokines and lymphocytes, managing metabolism, and averting cancer. Additionally, the European Commission's clearance of Bacteroides xylanisolvens in food opens up new avenues for the investigation and application of this intriguing microbe (Tan et al., 2019). The probiotic-like qualities of several Bacteroides species have been studied (Dahiya et al., 2019). Studies have also revealed promising Bacteroides candidates for next-generation probiotics (Tan et al., 2019).

[0008] In a study, the commercial cultivation of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was conducted using a probiotic mixture of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The effects of this probiotic mixture on the physiological responses of the shrimp were evaluated. Results revealed an immune-stimulating effect of the used probiotic mixture on the shrimp. Additionally, from a physiological standpoint, the study suggested that probiotics could be effective at the commercial shrimp farm scale (Vargas-Albores et al., 2016).

[0009] In a research study on the Arvicola genus, it was observed that the Bacteroidetes group was 65% higher than Firmicutes group (Allan et al., 2018). Generally, studies on humans and rodents have shown that a microbiota derived from Bacteroidetes may result from a low-fat / high-fiber diet (Ferrario et al., 2017). However, in rats, a Bacteroidetes abundance of less than 10% has been observed, reflecting their omnivorous diet (Liv et al., 2017).

[0010] AIM OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The main goal of the invention is to create a probiotic that includes microorganisms associated with the cellulose digestion of Arvicola genus water voles, considering that their diet primarily consists of various plant species.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention is a probiotic product that includes at least one of the cellulose- digesting Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes species residing in the intestinal flora of Arvicola water voles. The diet of Arvicola water voles, known to consist mainly of various plant species, includes different types of herbs and sometimes fruits and seeds (Thompson, 1964). Similar to studies conducted on other rodents, it is known that Arvicola water voles also possess microorganisms associated with cellulose digestion. Our recent, as-yet unpublished investigation on the microbiota of Arvicola amphibius water voles in theAya§ region ofTurkey revealed a prevalence of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes species. Unlike other non-digesting animals, Arvicola water voles are thought to be unable to digest cellulose because they harbor unique cellulose- digesting bacteria that are exclusive to the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Thus, the invention relates to a probiotic supplement including these recently discovered bacterial species. This probiotic product addresses the issue of cellulose digestion in humans by containing cellulose-digesting bacteria found in the intestinal flora of Arvicola water voles.

[0014] The primary nutritional needs of water voles are good food sources, primarily consisting of tall grasses, reeds, and aquatic plants. However, their diet is not well- defined, and there is limited research on their food preferences. The taxonomic composition and relative abundance of the most prevalent bacteria in the intestinal groups of three different samples from Arvicola origin were determined. Our findings indicate that in all three samples of Arvicola water voles, bacteria from the Bacteroidota phylum were present in total percentages of 42-44. In all three samples, a total of 48- 49 percent of firmicutes bacteria were identified. The observation of Arvicola's microbiota being predominantly composed of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes bacteria indicates their cellulose-digesting bacterial presence due to their feeding habits.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A probiotic product formulation characterized by comprising at least one cellulose-digesting species from the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes types naturally residing in the intestinal flora of Arvicola water voles.