Abstract

Fermented foods have been the major carrier of probiotics. The fermentation process of foods is made possible by microorganisms. Probiotic lactic acid bacteria previously isolated from Ogi and Kunu-zaki was investigated for their effect on some biomarkers in healthy male albino Wistar rats. The two strains that showed good probiotic potentials were chosen based on tolerance to low pH and bile salt, and antibiotic susceptibility test. Thirty Albino Wistar rats were divided into six groups based on different treatments for each group. Four groups were administered orally with the two probiotic strains at different concentrations (1.0x109, 2.0x108). One group was administered with the combination of the two strains (2.0x108 each), while the last group, which was the control received normal saline for two weeks. The blood samples and livers were collected at the end of the treatment. The analysis of certain biomarkers (fasting blood glucose (FBG), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, bilirubin, total protein and antioxidant profile) was carried out. The ALT, AST and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the test animals were found to improve significantly while no significant difference was observed in the activity of other biomarkers in the treated groups compared to the control. The results showed that the two strains had a positive impact on the health status of the rats with the combined group having the higher impact. However, more studies need to be done to explore other health benefits associated with these organisms.