MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

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

Summary

Researchers discovered that a bacterium called Weissella confusa produces a sticky substance (exopolysaccharide) that has multiple health benefits. This substance fights harmful bacteria, acts as an antioxidant, helps heal wounds, and may slow down skin aging by reducing proteins that break down collagen. Because this bacterium produces much more of this substance than other commonly studied bacteria, it could be used in food preservation, health supplements, and anti-aging skincare products.

Background

Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have distinct advantages over plant and fungal polysaccharides due to rapid production, cost-effective extraction, and favorable biomedical properties. Weissella confusa has been identified as a promising candidate for high-yield polysaccharide production compared to lactobacilli strains.

Objective

This study investigated the antimicrobial, antioxidant, prebiotic, and wound-healing properties of exopolysaccharides purified from Weissella confusa B4-2, and evaluated their effects on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) gene expression in fibroblast cells.

Results

W. confusa B4-2 produced 53 g/L of purified EPS containing glucose, fructose, and diglucuronic acid. The EPS exhibited 75% free radical scavenging activity, significant antimicrobial effects against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, and high prebiotic score (0.912). EPS downregulated MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9 expression by 1.3, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.16 times respectively, while upregulating TIMP1 and TIMP2.

Conclusion

W. confusa B4-2-derived exopolysaccharide demonstrates potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, prebiotic, and wound-healing properties with anti-aging potential through MMP downregulation. Its high production yield (168-189 times greater than lactobacilli) makes it commercially viable for food preservation, prebiotic supplementation, and anti-aging skincare formulations.
  • Published in:Iran Journal of Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40785715
Scroll to Top