The Effects of Pantoea and Kosakonia Isolated from Buckwheat Sprouts on Obese Mice

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effects of surface bacteria of buckwheat sprouts on obesity. We examine whether these bacteria have probiotic properties. Methods: Since P-36 and P-37 strains were present in large amounts on the buckwheat sprouts surface, identification of species was carried out by intestinal bacteria identification kit and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Subsequently, to investigate the biological effects, P-36 and P-37 strains were divided into two groups, heat-treated dead bacteria and untreated viable bacteria, which were then orally administered to obese model mice exhibiting hyperglycemia every other day for a total of 10 times. After administration, BMI and visceral fat mass were measured, and oral glucose tolerance test was conducted to evaluate glucose tolerance; their influence on blood glucose level and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was evaluated. Results: The strain P-36 was identified as Pantoea sp., and P-37 as Kosakonia cowanii. In the group of mice administered the living and dead bacteria of P-36 and P-37, the weight gain rate after the administration was low, and the progression of obesity was suppressed. In the oral glucose tolerance test, an improvement of glucose tolerance and a significant suppression of blood glucose level was confirmed at 0 and 15 min in the group treated with viable P-37. In addition, HOMA-IR was improved in mice treated with both viable and dead P-37 bacteria. Conclusion: The mice administered P-36 and P-37 showed a gradual increase in body weight and a decrease in visceral fat percentage. The mechanism leading to improved blood glucose levels observed in mice administered P-37 strain remains unclear at present. The involvement of buckwheat sprouts-derived bacteria in improving hyperglycemia and reducing obesity during a short time will help to discover new probiotics.

Contemporary Traditional Vegetables in Japan: Physiological Function of Buckwheat Sprouts

“…Nonetheless, looking at the increase in research on buckwheat sprouts in various countries around the world, it seems that buckwheat sprouts are being proved highly functional for health as well as having high commercial value. Moreover, our findings have shown that not only buckwheat sprouts but also bacteria adhering to buckwheat sprouts have beneficial effects against obesity, owing to their blood-glucose suppression effect [6].…”

“…In the old days, they were cultivated to compensate for vegetable shortages during the winter and, by and large, they were produced/consumed locally. In recent years, however, buckwheat sprouts are attracting attention as old and new vegetables due to the growing interest in health foods and cities developing activities that promote the use of local agricultural products (slow-food movement) [6].…”

Influence of Kosakonia sp. on the Growth of Arachis hypogaea L. on Arid Soil

“…It is also interesting to note that MGR1 was clustered with the facultative pathogen, K. cowanii with a 61% similarity among them (Figure 2). K. cowanii is found in plants and acts as an opportunistic facultative human pathogen [31]; it is predicted to contain probiotics [32]. Furthermore, Kosakonia sp.…”

Development of a method to extract protozoan DNA from black soil

“…Microorganisms in environmental samples are identified by sequential screening, isolation, and culture steps, followed by verification of their physiological characteristics and morphological classification (Garland and Mills, 1991; Shi-Ying et al, 2018; Yamanouchi et al, 2018a; Dahal et al, 2018). Isolation of the unicellular protozoan, Amoeba, from soil is particularly challenging, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires complex culture purification techniques and significant expertise for morphological evaluation (Denet et al, 2017; Shokri et al, 2016; Yamanouchi et al, 2018b).…”