UNAIR NEWS- The public are certainly familiar with probiotics. Intestinal bacteria, also known as “good bacteria” turned out to have many roles and properties in the world of health. No doubt, it gains popularity not among the people, but also among academics and practitioners.
These bacteria undergo coevolution synbiotic with its host. These bacteria provide many advantages for its host because of its diverse functions. Some of the benefits include producing various nutrients, preventing infection by intestinal pathogens, and modulating the immune system.
“Modification of intestinal microbiota is needed to achieve, restore, and maintain balance in the ecosystem,” Dr. Isnaeni, MS., Apt., a researcher and one of the lecturers of Universitas Airlangga.
Dr. Isnaeni revealed that besides being needed to maintain the ecosystem, modification of intestinal microbiota also played a role in maintaining the activity of microorganisms in the digestive tract. These conditions can also improve the health condition of the host.
“The introduction of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics in human food can benefit intestinal microbiota. This microbial intake can be obtained from vegetables, raw fruit and fermented products, such as yogurt and kefir, “explained Isnaeni.
In this study, a combined trial of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 probiotic and its combination with Moringa eleifera leaf extract as an anti-bacterial agent to the cause of oral cavity infection, Streptococcus mutans. Moringa plants themselves have long been known as “magic trees” because of their multi-active nature. Moringa leaf water extract has been reported as a compound of saponins, tannins, flavonoids and shows broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The ethanol extract also shows growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus .
“This extract contains flavonol and quercetin compounds which are proven antibacterials. The combination of Moringa leaf extract with probiotic milk is expected to produce synergistic activity, especially in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microbes, “said Dr. Isnaeni.
The inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 fermented milk and its combination with Moringa leaf water extract against Streptococcus mutans has been observed. The resulting preparation have the potential to be developed as healthy food because of their nutritional value and beneficial health functions. Inhibition test on the growth of local strain Streptococcus mutans was carried out by the diffusion method on agar nutrient media.
“Based on the results of the study, an optimal ratio of 2: 8 combination was obtained with a KHM (Minimum Inhibition Concentration) price 45%,” said the lecturer from Faculty of Pharmacy.
“With a small amount compared to consumed in a single form, it will obtain multi benefits that are more beneficial for health. Of course further studies are still needed to test the effectiveness, toxicity and safety before consumption, ” she continued.
Prospective probiotics in the form of single or multi-culture, used singly or in combination, still need more attention. Probiotics and their combination with herbal ingredients as food supplements or therapeutic companions have very good opportunities to be used in the future due to the very diverse benefits and complex activities.
“In Japan, probiotic preparations containing 17 species have been circulating with multi-functionality. We certainly also have the opportunity to develop it in a country rich in natural potential as a source of probiotics, “concluded Isnaeni. (*)
Author: Sukma Cindra Pratiwi
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
Link:
http://jrespharm.com/uploads/pdf/pdf_MPJ_718.pdf
Isnaeni, Agustin Maulidina, Idha Kusumawati, Erni Maduratna Setyawatie. 2019. Inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 fermented milk combined with aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves against Streptococcus mutans. J. Research in Pharmacy/ Marmara 23(4): 701-710.
