Abstract

EFFECT OF PREBIOTICS ON NEUROACTIVE COMPOUND PRODUCTION BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

Esha Shiposkar and Prof. Dr. Savanta Raut*

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Abstract

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a nonprotein amino acid, that plays an important role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It is also associated with anti-hypertensive, diuretic, tranquilizing and antidiabetic effects. Synthetic GABA supplementation, to circumvent the above-mentioned disorders, has shown significant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and addiction. Thus, the focus has now been shifted to natural GABA supplementation, using microorganisms, especially Lactic Acid Bacteria, to develop, a new form of therapeutic agent called the pyschobiotics. In this study, we were able to isolate two GABA producing organisms- IB-1 and IB-3 from Idli Batter, that remain unidentified. IB-1 produced 520 μg/ml of GABA, whereas IB-3 produced 1120 μg/ml of GABA. A study was also carried out to determine the effect of prebiotics on enhancement of GABA production. The findings report that the enhancement of GABA production, by addition of prebiotics is a function of the metabolic activity and the preference for a specific prebiotic/sugar source of the organism. GABA producing isolate IB-1, was the only isolate that reported increased GABA production in the presence of prebiotics.

Keywords: Probiotics, Neuroactive Compound, GABA, Prebiotic.