Mitsubishi Chemical Group and the Graduate School of Agriculture at Kinki University (Nara City, Nara Prefecture) revealed that the spore-forming lactic acid bacteria probiotic Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258*1 (hereinafter referred to as H. coagulans) increases the number of goblet cells related to the strengthening of the mucosal barrier in red sea bream and suppresses mortality*2. This research paper*3 was published on November 22, 2024, in "Frontiers in Aquaculture."
[Significance of this matter]
The aquaculture industry plays a crucial role in sustainable food production, and its importance is increasing globally. However, controlling mortality due to infections remains a major challenge in this industry. This research outcome demonstrates the potential of H. coagulans to enhance immune function as a solution to this issue.
[Key points of this matter]
H. coagulans intake improves the survival rate of red sea bream.
H. coagulans intake increases the number of goblet cells that secrete mucin*4.
[Overview of the experiment]
Lactic acid bacteria are known to have various functions as beneficial microorganisms, and H. coagulans, unlike common lactic acid bacteria, forms spores, making it resistant to acids and heat, allowing spores to germinate and begin multiplying in the intestines without dying. This time, we investigated whether H. coagulans intake impacts immune function and survival in fish. The experiment divided the 45-day-old red sea bream into a group that was fed H. coagulans (H. coagulans group) and a control group that was not fed H. coagulans and conducted a rearing test for 63 days. As a result, the survival rate during the testing period was significantly higher in the H. coagulans group compared to the control group. Additionally, the number of goblet cells, which produce mucin related to intestinal immunity and mucosal barrier function, was also significantly higher in the H. coagulans group compared to the control group. This suggests that the intake of H. coagulans resulted in an increase in goblet cell numbers, thereby enhancing immune function and improving survival rates.
【Members of this research group】
・Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Specialty Materials Business Group
Advanced Solutions Headquarters Technical Strategy Department Wellness Technology Division
Food & Health Care Group
Section Leader Yoshikazu Yamada
Chief Researcher Masanori Aida
・Kinki University Graduate School of Agriculture Major in Aquatic Science
Master's Program Year 2, Shirogashi Shugo (at the time of research)
Kinki University Amami Experimental Station for Fisheries Research.
Assistant Professor Takuchiro Aoki.
Kinki University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries.
Associate Professor Yasunao Kobayashi.
Lecturer Akihito Taniguchi.
H. Coagulans.
*1 Hendrickxia Coagulans (Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258).
Discovered by Dr. Taiki Nakayama (Professor Emeritus of Yamanashi Universities) in 1949, this sporulating lactic acid bacterium has been used as a probiotic for many years. It has the characteristic of surviving stomach acid and reaching the intestines alive. It has been reported to improve bowel movement, alleviate cold-like symptoms, and improve skin condition in humans. Additionally, it has also been reported to contribute to livestock growth, anti-inflammatory effects, and suppression of infectious diseases. Note that Bacillus coagulans was renamed Weizmannia coagulans in 2020 and Heyndrickxia coagulans in 2023, and Bacillus coagulans SANK70258 and Weizmannia coagulans SANK70258 refer to the same strain as Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258.
※2 Sudden death (heishi)
Sudden death due to infectious diseases or similar conditions.
※3 Paper information
Title: Exploring spore-forming lactic acid bacterium Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 as a promising probiotic for red sea bream (Pagrus major)
Authors: Shirogashi Hiiragi, Aoki Ryuichiro, Kobayashi Yasunao, Aida Masanori, Yamada Ryoichi, Taniguchi Raito
Journal Name: Frontiers in Aquaculture
Link:
※4 Mucin
It is a major component of the mucus secreted in the gastrointestinal tract and trachea, and it plays a role in protecting the host from pathogen infections, etc.
[Significance of this matter]
The aquaculture industry plays a crucial role in sustainable food production, and its importance is increasing globally. However, controlling mortality due to infections remains a major challenge in this industry. This research outcome demonstrates the potential of H. coagulans to enhance immune function as a solution to this issue.
[Key points of this matter]
H. coagulans intake improves the survival rate of red sea bream.
H. coagulans intake increases the number of goblet cells that secrete mucin*4.
[Overview of the experiment]
Lactic acid bacteria are known to have various functions as beneficial microorganisms, and H. coagulans, unlike common lactic acid bacteria, forms spores, making it resistant to acids and heat, allowing spores to germinate and begin multiplying in the intestines without dying. This time, we investigated whether H. coagulans intake impacts immune function and survival in fish. The experiment divided the 45-day-old red sea bream into a group that was fed H. coagulans (H. coagulans group) and a control group that was not fed H. coagulans and conducted a rearing test for 63 days. As a result, the survival rate during the testing period was significantly higher in the H. coagulans group compared to the control group. Additionally, the number of goblet cells, which produce mucin related to intestinal immunity and mucosal barrier function, was also significantly higher in the H. coagulans group compared to the control group. This suggests that the intake of H. coagulans resulted in an increase in goblet cell numbers, thereby enhancing immune function and improving survival rates.
【Members of this research group】
・Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Specialty Materials Business Group
Advanced Solutions Headquarters Technical Strategy Department Wellness Technology Division
Food & Health Care Group
Section Leader Yoshikazu Yamada
Chief Researcher Masanori Aida
・Kinki University Graduate School of Agriculture Major in Aquatic Science
Master's Program Year 2, Shirogashi Shugo (at the time of research)
Kinki University Amami Experimental Station for Fisheries Research.
Assistant Professor Takuchiro Aoki.
Kinki University Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries.
Associate Professor Yasunao Kobayashi.
Lecturer Akihito Taniguchi.
H. Coagulans.
*1 Hendrickxia Coagulans (Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258).
Discovered by Dr. Taiki Nakayama (Professor Emeritus of Yamanashi Universities) in 1949, this sporulating lactic acid bacterium has been used as a probiotic for many years. It has the characteristic of surviving stomach acid and reaching the intestines alive. It has been reported to improve bowel movement, alleviate cold-like symptoms, and improve skin condition in humans. Additionally, it has also been reported to contribute to livestock growth, anti-inflammatory effects, and suppression of infectious diseases. Note that Bacillus coagulans was renamed Weizmannia coagulans in 2020 and Heyndrickxia coagulans in 2023, and Bacillus coagulans SANK70258 and Weizmannia coagulans SANK70258 refer to the same strain as Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258.
※2 Sudden death (heishi)
Sudden death due to infectious diseases or similar conditions.
※3 Paper information
Title: Exploring spore-forming lactic acid bacterium Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 as a promising probiotic for red sea bream (Pagrus major)
Authors: Shirogashi Hiiragi, Aoki Ryuichiro, Kobayashi Yasunao, Aida Masanori, Yamada Ryoichi, Taniguchi Raito
Journal Name: Frontiers in Aquaculture
Link:
※4 Mucin
It is a major component of the mucus secreted in the gastrointestinal tract and trachea, and it plays a role in protecting the host from pathogen infections, etc.
