Effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA) on proliferation of probiotics and its adhesion to colonic epithelial cells

Abstract

The effects of α-linolenic acid (ALA) on the proliferation and adhesion of probiotics would be investigated in the present study. Effects of ALA on intestinal flora were studied by animal fecal anaerobic fermentation system in vitro, which were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that treatment with ALA could promote the proliferation of probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria Enterococcus and E. coli. ALA restored the abnormal intestinal flora caused by high-fat diet, which was beneficial to the improvement of intestinal flora structure. In addition, adhesive characteristics of probiotics to epithelial colon cells NCM460 were detected by plate counting and Gram staining, which indicated that ALA promoted adhesion of probiotics to colonic cells. In conclusion, ALA could promote the proliferation and adhesion of intestinal probiotics, which provides a basis for ALA to exert the healthy activities of intestinal probiotics.

Keywords:
α-linolenic acid (ALA); high-fat diet; probiotics; proliferation; adhesion