The synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how synbiotic combinations of lactobacilli with konjac glucomannan hydrolysate (GMH) may be used to reduce Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) growth in vitro.
Design/methodology/approach
Growth of S. aureus and S. typhimurium was assessed individually and when mixed with L. acidophilus in modified media supplemented with two per cent GMH. The effect of the GMH and the Lactobacillus strain on S. aureus growth was also investigated using the well diffusion test on Muller‐Hinton agar medium.
Findings
The results showed that L. acidophilus “out grew” the pathogens S. aureus and S. typhimurium in the presence of konjac glucomannan in the mixed cultures.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that konjac glucomannan hydrolysates combined with probiotic bacteria, may be used to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus and S. typhimurium. These data support the development of an alternative approach to reduce infections and promote consumer health.
Keywords
Citation
Al‐Ghazzewi, F.H., Tester, R.F. and Alvani, K. (2012), "The synbiotic effects of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) and lactobacilli on the growth of
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited