A probiotic in Kombucha products (Bacillus coagulans) and its effects on the gut microbiome.

General Background of Kombucha and Bacillus coagulens

This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts Bacillus coagulens bacteria. Photo credit: Biologics.

By Elsie Groebner

Several “health foods" have recently emerged as the demand for “healthy alternatives” to popular foods is increasing. One popular “health drink” that has emerged is Kombucha, which is a fermented tea. Many consumers probably aren’t aware that the popular product, Kombucha, is made of live bacteria and yeast cultures. The product is made by combining tea, sugar, and a Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast, otherwise known as a SCOBY, and fermenting it. A scoby is a biofilm of microorganisms (Kapp et al., 2018). Kombucha products make claims like consumption helps maintain a “healthy gut”, and for its “multiple functional properties such as anti-inflammatory potential and antioxidant activity” (Villarreal-Soto et. al., 2018). Kombucha contains billions of probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts that appear to have health benefits in the human body. In fact, Kombucha products must maintain at least 10^7-10^9 cfu/g probiotics until the end of shelf life to be considered beneficial (Konuray, 2018). Probiotics may help the body have a healthy balanced level of live microorganisms. In fact, the World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” (WHO, 2001). The major probiotic in kombucha products appear to be Bacillus coagulens, but several other bacteria capable of fermentation are found in kombucha as well (Vargas et al., 2021). Lactobacillus nagelii, Gluconacetobacte, Gluconobacter, and Komagataeibacter are other strains of probiotics that are found in Kombucha products (Vargas et al., 2021). In this paper, we will investigate the empirical research surrounding Bacillus coagulans to better understand its properties that could impact the human body when consumed through Kombucha products.

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Legend/credit: This scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts Bacillus coagulens bacteria. Photo credit: CDC. Every image requires a link to the source.
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<ref name=a> [Vargas, B.K., Fabricio, M.F. and Ayub, M.A.Z., 2021. Health effects and probiotic and prebiotic potential of Kombucha: A bibliometric and systematic review. Food Bioscience, 44, p.101332.]

<ref name= ab> [Vargas, B.K., Fabricio, M.F. and Ayub, M.A.Z., 2021. Health effects and probiotic and prebiotic potential of Kombucha: A bibliometric and systematic review. Food Bioscience, 44, p.101332.]

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Structural and functional properties of Bacillus coagulens

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Bacillus coagulans is a Lactic acid-producing, spore forming, anaerobic bacterium that is also catalase and Gram positive (Cao et al., 2020). Bacillus coagulans grows best at a pH of 6 and in the 35-50℃ temperature range (Cao et al., 2020). The cell wall of Bacillus coagulans has teichoic acids with a higher lipid count compared to other Gram positive bacteria. Probiotics generally are resistant to extreme heat conditions, and gastrointestinal conditions as well. Because of Bacillus coagulans’ spore forming ability, compared to other probiotics, it is a premier choice for foods that need to be stable and survive harsher conditions (Cao et al., 2020).

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Enhanced protein absorption and digestion with Bacillus coagulens

Bacillus Coagulens research has shown that the probiotic may have beneficial effects to the human body by aiding in protein absorption and healthy digestion. One study, Maathuis et al., used an in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine to test the metabolic activity and survival of the GanedenBC30 strain of Bacillus Coagulens (Maathuis, 2009). The study found that Bacillus Coagulens had a high survival rate in the stomach and intestine models. They found that there was a higher amount of digested milk protein available for absorption in milk with Bacillus Coagulens added versus milk without the probiotic added. The study concluded that overall, protein digestion capability of lactose and fructose was improved with the addition of Bacillus Coagulens, even without undergoing cell germination. “The potential of GanedenBC30 to aid in the digestion of lactose and fructose could be used to prevent occurrence of intestinal symptoms in individuals sensitive to these carbohydrates” (Maathuis, 2009).

Improved IBS symptoms in the presence of Bacillus coagulens

Irritable bowel syndrome is a bowel condition that affected 11% of the global population in 2014 (Canavan, 2014). IBS generally seems to affect more women than men, and it’s estimated only 30% of people with IBS seek out a physician for the condition (Canavan, 2014). IBS symptoms generally include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, yet it is a difficult condition to diagnose. The potential for Bacillus coagulens to improve IBS conditions has been studied in recent years. Gastrointestinal function change appears to be highly correlated to intestinal microbiota change. One study, Madempudi et al., had participants with diagnosed IBS take either a placebo or a Bacillus coagulens capsule daily for 8 weeks (Madempudi et al., 2019). Researchers used pain intensity scores, use of rescue medication and stool consistency as measures. Over the eight weeks, the symptom severity scores decreased by 16.1 points in the Bacillus coagulens group and by 5.2 in the control group, demonstrating a significant difference between the two groups. There was also evidence that the Bacillus coagulens treatment was potentially more successful than a three strain probiotic containing L. acidophilus, B. bifidum, and B. lactis (Madempudi et al., 2019). Stool consistency was also improved in the treatment group, but the same results were not observed in the control group. “From the fifth week onwards the patients of B. coagulans group showed significant (p < 0.0001) improvement in abdominal discomfort, bloating, urgency, incomplete evacuation, straining, passage of gas, bowel habit satisfaction, overall assessment of IBS symptoms and total score” (Madempudi et al., 2019). Taken together, these results present the potential for Bacillus coagulens to be an important treatment possibility for people who struggle with IBS.

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Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski,at Kenyon College,2024