SYBILLE BUCHWALD-WERNER¹*, IOANNA NAKA¹, SHOTARO KUDO², NATALIA BOLOTINA³
*Corresponding author
1. Vital Solutions GmbH, Langenfeld, Germany
2. Amino Up Co. Ltd., Sapporo, Japan
3. Novozymes Berlin GmbH, Berlin Germany

Abstract

Perilla frutescens (L.) extract is used in food supplements to support the immune system and GI comfort. A proprietary Perilla frutescens leaf extract was used to investigate prebiotic effects on strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and pathogenic bacteria by testing for growth stimulation effects on agar plates.  Perilla frutescens leaf extract was confirmed to be a prebiotic, supporting the growth of selected lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Results underline beneficial effects in the application in blends with probiotics preventing inflammations, supporting the immune system and to improve intestinal health.

INTRODUCTION

The microbiota of the human intestine is a balanced system, which consists of a vast assemblage of microorganisms, which ensure the structural integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, immune function, and protection against pathogens. Prebiotic substances are selectively digested by intestinal bacteria, like Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, to support their growth. At the same time, prebiotics limit the growth of pathogenic strains, like for example Enterobacteria (1). Furthermore, prebiotics are metabolized by intestinal strains, potentially leading to the production of short chain fatty acids like acetate or butyrate. These are important to maintain a healthy gut motility and to protect against intestinal inflammation (2). 

Traditionally, non-digestible carbohydrates, oligosaccharides, are the main source of prebiotics substances in the human diet, for example fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) (1).  Their effective dosage is several grams, which is not convenient for food supplement applications, where the quantity for a capsules or tabl ...