Polyphenol-modified probiotics for the enhanced survivability, persistence and colonization of probiotic cells in the gut.

Probiotics and polyphenols have the potential to modulate gut health. However, gastrointestinal barriers often limit their delivery and, consequently, their biological activity. In addition, the persistence of probiotic cells in the gut, particularly in the large intestine, is crucial to their biological function. This study develops a novel combination of polyphenolic compounds and Lacticaseibacillus probiotic cells to enhance the delivery and persistence of probiotic cells in the gut without exogenous polymers and coatings. In this combination, the polyphenols are loaded in the probiotic cells using a negative pressure-driven infusion process. The study evaluates the enhanced survivability of polyphenol-infused probiotics during simulated in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) digestion, characterizes the metabolic function of the modified probiotic cells and their antagonistic activity against target pathogens, and evaluates in vivo delivery and persistence following in vivo delivery. Results showed that catechin-infused cells exhibited 10,000-fold higher viability after simulated GI digestion compared to controls and maintained their metabolic and antagonistic activities after simulated gastric treatment. Moreover, catechin-infused cells demonstrated significantly improved survivability and persistence over 48 h and enhanced colonization in the mouse gut. Overall, this study develops a novel single-cell composition, i.e, individual bacterial cells modified with the infusion of catechin, that enhances the delivery and persistence of probiotic cells in the gut.