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. The potential for foods with dietary factors like lactic acid bacteria, amino acids, polyphenols, and oligosaccharides has become a recent topic of study (Shimizu et al., 2012). 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). The fermentation process contains a yeast fermentation of sugar to alcohol, and a bacterial fermentation of alcohol to acetic acid. 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 for the human gut microbiome. 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 coagulans, but several other bacteria capable of fermentation are found in kombucha as well (Vargas et al., 2021). Lactobacillus nagelii, Gluconacetobacter, 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 positively impact the human body, and more specifically the gut microbiome, when consumed through Kombucha products. There has been research displaying that Bacillus coagulans can aid in protein absorption and digestion, and can improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Further research on the function and benefits of consuming Bacillus coagulans can be done to add to this pool of scientific knowledge.

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Structural and functional properties of Bacillus coagulens

Bacillus coagulans is a Lactic acid-producing, spore forming, anaerobic bacterium that is also catalase and Gram positive (Cao et al., 2020). The cell wall of Bacillus coagulans has teichoic acids with a higher lipid count compared to other Gram positive bacteria. Bacillus coagulans grows best at a pH of 6 and in the 35-50℃ temperature range (Cao et al., 2020). It has been reported, however, that strains of Bacillus coagulans are capable of surviving high temperatures and low pH values (Altun et al., 2021). It is likely that Bacillus coagulans is not naturally found in the gut (Suresh, et al., 2023). It was also found that Bacillus coagulans is resistant to both lysozyme and bile, but sensitive to antibiotics (Altun et el., 2021). Bacillus coagulans is able to form biofilm, and has antimicrobial activity (Altun et el., 2021). There was no evidence of Hemolytic activity (breaking down of red blood cells) or lecithinase production (which catalyzes the breakdown of phospholipids) in Bacillus coagulans. In terms of genomic composition, Bacillus coagulans has a single circular chromosome with 3,609,781 base pairs and a general GC content ranging between 44-50% (Wu et al., 2022).

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). Bacillus coagulans displays important characteristics seen in both Bacillus and Lactobacillus. “As a member of Bacillus genus, forming resistant dormant endospores made them tolerate the extreme conditions and transit across gastric environmental barriers” (Lee et al., 2020). Like Lactobacillus, Bacillus coagulans can produce antibacterial agents like bacteriocins, acids, and hydrogen peroxide, aiding in its potential as a food preservative (Wu et al., 2022). These characteristics enable Bacillus coagulans to withstand extreme oxidative, acidic, osmotic, and alkaline stresses (Wu et al., 2022).

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Enhanced protein absorption and digestion with Bacillus coagulens

Bacillus coagulans 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 coagulans (Maathuis, 2009). The study found that Bacillus coagulans 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 coagulans 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 coagulans, 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 coagulans 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 coagulans group and by 5.2 in the control group, demonstrating a significant difference between the two groups. There was also evidence that the Bacillus coagulans 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 Bacillus 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 coagulans to be an important treatment possibility for people who struggle with IBS.

Improved immune cell function with Bacillus coagulens consumption

There has been evidence that consumption of Bacillus Coagulans appears to be correlated with altered/improved immune cell function. Nyangale et al. used a double blind procedure to look at the effects of Bacillus Coagulans’ effects on the gut microbiome of people aged 65-80. The study found that regular daily consumption of Bacillus Coagulans BC30 potentially increased the production of anti-inflammatory factors. Specifically, there was a 0.2ng/mL increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 when Bacillus Coagulans was consumed, compared to the placebo which had no impacts on IL-10 presence. It was also found that Bacillus Coagulans increased the presence of F. prausnitzii, which is also known to increase the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Nyangale et al., 2015).

Another study, Jensen et al., aimed to document the immune activating and anti-inflammatory effects of Bacillus Coagulans on in vitro human immune cells. To accomplish this, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with inactive Bacillus Coagulans for 24 hours. The results showed that inactive Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30 6086 triggered an increase in the CD69 activation marker, which is an important early detector of several immune cell interactions. More specifically, the study found that Bacillus Coagulans is capable of activating immune cells and enhancing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Jensen et al., 2017).

Similar results were obtained from Zhang et al., which looked at antioxidant capacity and immunity function in broilers, a chicken breed. The antioxidant activity was significantly improved in broilers that received the Bacillus Coagulans treatment. The activity of Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, and Catalase was improved while the activity of Malondialdehyde was decreased. The decrease of Malondialdehyde implies that Bacillus Coagulans relieves lipid peroxidation (Zhang et al., 2021). In terms of immunity function, Bacillus Coagulens improved the levels of Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin M, and Immunoglobulin Y relative to controls. Bacillus Coagulens also inhibits Interleukin-1β , Interleukin-6, and Tumor necrosis factor-α which are all pro-inflammatory factors, meaning that Bacillus Coagulens effectively works to turn off inflammation mechanisms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is overwhelming evidence that the Bacillus coagulans probiotic can have several health benefits. Bacillus coagulans is a main probiotic found in kombucha products. Therefore, it can be assumed that kombucha products may share some of the many benefits that result from consuming Bacillus coagulans alone. This is a growing area of research as many people shift to seeking “healthy” options alternatives, and the field is in need of more research on the microbial elements in various food products.

References

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

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.

Kapp, J. M., & Sumner, W. (2019). Kombucha: A systematic review of the empirical evidence of human health benefit. Annals of Epidemiology, 30, 66–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.11.001

Villarreal‐Soto, S. A., Beaufort, S., Bouajila, J., Souchard, J., & Taillandier, P. (2018). Understanding kombucha tea fermentation: A Review. Journal of Food Science, 83(3), 580–588. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.14068

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Cao, J., Yu, Z., Liu, W., Zhao, J., Zhang, H., Zhai, Q., & Chen, W. (2020). Probiotic characteristics of bacillus coagulans and associated implications for human health and diseases. Journal of Functional Foods, 64, 103643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2019.103643

Konuray, G., & Erginkaya, Z. (2018). Potential use of Bacillus coagulans in the food industry. Foods, 7(6), 92.

Maathuis, A., Keller, D. and Farmer, S., 2010. Survival and metabolic activity of the GanedenBC30 strain of Bacillus coagulans in a dynamic in vitro model of the stomach and small intestine. Beneficial microbes, 1(1), pp.31-36.

Canavan, C., West, J. and Card, T., 2014. The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical epidemiology, pp.71-80.

Madempudi, R.S., Ahire, J.J., Neelamraju, J., Tripathi, A. and Nanal, S., 2019. Randomized clinical trial: the effect of probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 vs. placebo on the symptoms management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. Scientific Reports, 9(1), p.12210.

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Suresh, A., 2023. Oral microbial shift induced by probiotic Bacillus coagualans along with its clinical perspectives. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 13(3), pp.398-402.

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