Antimicrobial and prebiotic properties of Weissella confuse B4-2 exopolysaccharide and its effects on matrix metalloproteinase genes expression

Maryam  Firoozi; Mahdieh  Shirzad; Elahe  Motevaseli; Razieh  Dalirfardouei; Mohammad Hossein  Modarresi; Rezvan  Najafi

doi:10.18502/ijm.v17i4.19253

Maryam Firoozi Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mahdieh Shirzad Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organism, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Elahe Motevaseli Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Razieh Dalirfardouei Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Modarresi Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rezvan Najafi Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v17i4.19253

Keywords: Antioxidants; Matrix metalloproteinases; Polysaccharides; Prebiotics; Weissella confusa

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Bacterial polysaccharides have diverse applications, including antimicrobial compounds, bio-preservatives, prebiotics, and wound-healing hydrogels. Weissella confusa is notable for its high polysaccharide yield among lactic acid bacteria.

Materials and Methods: The bacteria were identified via 16s rRNA and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production was per- formed in a 10% skim milk and 10% sucrose medium. FT-IR, SEM, and HPTLC analyzed functional groups, spatial struc- ture, and EPS units. Moreover, MTT assay, DPPH, and Kirby-Bayer disk method assessed cell proliferation, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial effects of EPS. Additionally, Prebiotic potential and growth kinetics of exopolysaccharide were examined using the Thitiratsakul method. Furthermore, EPS effects on MMP and TIMP gene expression in fibroblast cells were evaluated.

Results: The purified polysaccharide from W. confusa B4-2 (Accession: KY290603), with a yield of 53 g/L, consists of glucose, fructose, and diglucuronic acid. This non-toxic polysaccharide (99-100% cell survival) exhibits 75% free radi- cal scavenging activity along with significant antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also shows a high prebiotic score (0.912), accelerating wound healing in fibroblast cells while reducing collagen-degrading gene expression, particularly matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Notably, exopolysaccharides downregulated MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 gene expression levels by approximately 1.3, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.16 times, respectively.

Conclusion: These features highlight the commercial significance of W. confusa in the food, pharmaceutical, and health industries, surpassing lactobacilli with lower production yields.