Scientists tested a new type of beneficial bacteria called Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lbio1 to see if it could survive the journey through your stomach and intestines. They discovered this bacteria has several health-promoting properties, including the ability to fight harmful bacteria and lower cholesterol. When they wrapped the bacteria in a special alginate coating (similar to a protective shell), it survived much better in acidic stomach conditions. The bacteria stayed alive for over a month when refrigerated, making it a promising candidate for probiotic foods and supplements that could support digestive health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new probiotic bacteria could survive stomach acid and digestive juices, and whether wrapping it in a protective coating would help it survive better
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study testing bacteria in test tubes and simulated digestive conditions, not a human study
  • Key finding: The bacteria survived stomach acid 72% of the time and bile salts 83% of the time. When wrapped in alginate beads, survival improved significantly, staying alive for over a month in the refrigerator
  • What it means for you: This suggests future probiotic products using this bacteria and coating method may be more effective at delivering live beneficial bacteria to your gut, though human studies are still needed to confirm health benefits

The Research Details

Researchers conducted laboratory experiments to test a specific probiotic bacteria strain. They first checked whether the bacteria was safe by testing for harmful properties like the ability to destroy red blood cells or produce dangerous enzymes. They then exposed the bacteria to conditions that mimic what happens in your digestive system—very acidic environments like stomach acid and bile salts found in your intestines.

Next, they tested whether the bacteria could stick to intestinal cells and fight off harmful bacteria like E. coli and Staph aureus. They also measured whether the bacteria could help lower cholesterol. Finally, they wrapped the bacteria in tiny beads made from sodium alginate (a natural substance derived from seaweed) and tested whether this protective coating helped the bacteria survive better under digestive stress conditions.

This research approach is important because many probiotic bacteria die before reaching your intestines, where they need to work. By testing both free bacteria and encapsulated bacteria, researchers could see whether the protective coating actually improves survival. This helps determine whether this bacteria and coating method could be used in real probiotic products that people actually consume.

This is a well-designed laboratory study that thoroughly tested the bacteria’s properties. The researchers used standard scientific methods and tested multiple important characteristics. However, this is laboratory research only—it hasn’t been tested in humans yet. The study was published in Archives of Microbiology, a respected scientific journal. The main limitation is that we don’t know yet whether these benefits would actually occur in real people taking this probiotic.

What the Results Show

The bacteria showed excellent survival in harsh digestive conditions. When exposed to stomach-like acidity (pH 2.0), 72% of the bacteria survived. When exposed to bile salts found in the intestines, 83% survived. This is important because many probiotic bacteria die in these conditions.

The bacteria also showed strong ability to stick to intestinal cells and fight harmful bacteria. It had a 92% auto-aggregation rate (ability to stick to itself) and could stick to harmful bacteria like E. coli (43.9-71.5% co-aggregation). The bacteria could also assimilate cholesterol at an 82% rate, suggesting it might help lower cholesterol levels.

When wrapped in alginate beads, the bacteria’s survival improved dramatically. The encapsulated bacteria maintained viability above one million live cells per gram for 34 days when refrigerated, though there was a gradual decline of about one log (roughly 90%) per week. This protective coating was 91% efficient at loading bacteria into the beads.

The bacteria produced a special substance called exopolysaccharide (EPS), which is made of glucose and galactose molecules. This substance may contribute to the bacteria’s health benefits. The bacteria also showed it could survive in phenol (a harsh chemical), demonstrating its resilience. Safety testing showed the bacteria lacked harmful properties like hemolytic activity (destroying red blood cells) and gelatinase production (breaking down protective tissues). The bacteria was susceptible to most antibiotics tested, which is a good safety sign.

This research builds on existing knowledge that certain Lactiplantibacillus strains have probiotic potential. The encapsulation approach using alginate is not entirely new, but this study demonstrates its effectiveness with this specific bacterial strain. The survival rates and protective properties observed are comparable to or better than some previously studied probiotic strains, suggesting this bacteria is a promising candidate for future probiotic products.

This study was conducted entirely in laboratory conditions using simulated digestive environments—not in actual human digestive systems. The bacteria’s behavior in real stomachs and intestines may differ. The study doesn’t show whether consuming this bacteria would actually improve human health or prevent disease. Long-term storage stability beyond 34 days wasn’t tested. The study also didn’t test the bacteria in actual food products or determine optimal dosages for human consumption. Human clinical trials would be needed to confirm any health benefits.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, we cannot recommend consuming products with this bacteria yet. This is promising laboratory research that suggests the bacteria and encapsulation method are worth further study. Future human clinical trials are needed to determine whether this bacteria actually provides health benefits when consumed. If future studies confirm benefits, this bacteria could potentially be used in probiotic supplements or functional foods. Confidence level: Low for human health claims (laboratory evidence only); High for the bacteria’s survival properties in simulated conditions.

This research is most relevant to probiotic manufacturers, food scientists, and gastroenterologists interested in developing better probiotic products. People interested in probiotics should know about this promising development but should wait for human studies before expecting health benefits. People with specific digestive conditions should consult their doctor before using any new probiotic products.

If this bacteria were to be used in a probiotic product today, you might expect to see any digestive benefits within 2-4 weeks of consistent use, based on typical probiotic timelines. However, human studies haven’t been conducted yet, so actual timelines are unknown. The bacteria’s protective coating allows it to survive storage for at least a month, so products could maintain potency during normal shelf life.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If this probiotic becomes available and you use it, track daily digestive symptoms (bloating, regularity, energy levels) using a simple 1-10 scale for 4-6 weeks to see if you notice personal benefits
  • Set a daily reminder to take the probiotic at the same time each day (ideally with food to protect it from stomach acid), and maintain consistent use for at least 4 weeks before evaluating effectiveness
  • Keep a weekly log of digestive health markers (bowel regularity, bloating, energy, mood) and compare baseline measurements to weeks 2, 4, and 6 to identify any patterns or improvements

This research is laboratory-based and has not been tested in humans. The findings suggest this bacteria has probiotic potential, but no health claims can be made until human clinical trials are completed. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Anyone considering probiotic supplements should consult with their healthcare provider, especially those with compromised immune systems, serious illnesses, or those taking medications. Probiotics are not regulated the same way as medications and may vary in quality and effectiveness between products.