Effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum Strains on the Growth of Propionibacterium Acnes

Goh, Yuh Chin (2018) Effect of Lactobacillus Plantarum Strains on the Growth of Propionibacterium Acnes. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

Acne is one of the most common skin disease that occurs when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells as well as sebum secreted from the skin. According to the research done by Medical News Today, at least 85% of people in United State suffering from acne problem. Even though this disease is not life-threatening, acne can form several unremovable scars on human skin and causes some serious psychosocial effects such as decreased self-esteem, social withdrawal, depression, as well as frustration. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is a relatively slow growing gram positive bacteria which prefer anaerobic growth condition (aerotolerant bacteria) and involve in the pathogenesis of acne. The most common methods that used to treat acne nowadays are benzoyl peroxide medication and oral antibiotics. Benzoyl peroxide will target and eliminate the surface bacteria (P. acnes) as well as slow down the production of sebum. However, this chemical will cause skin irritation which often aggravate acne problem. Besides, oral antibiotics will control the growth of P. acnes as well as reduce skin inflammation. At the same time, it will cause several side effects such as birth defects, dry skin, and elevation of cholesterol level. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum (probiotics) on the growth of Propionibacterium acnes using co-culture technique in order to replace the benzoyl peroxide medication and oral antibiotics on the acne treatment. There are three major parts involved in this research which are isolation of P. acnes, characterization of P. acnes by using biochemical tests, and study of co-culture interaction. P. acnes was isolated from the acne infected area and the DNA was extracted using PrestoTM Mini gDNA Bacteria Kit. Polymerase Chain Reaction of isolated P. acnes was done using specific primers which target P. acnes strain (ANT1F and 1392R). The genome size of P. acnes is 1500 base pairs based on the result obtained from the gel electrophoresis. For the characterization of P. acne, the biochemical tests shown that the P. acnes is a non-spore forming, gram positive rod shaped bacteria which consist of enzyme catalase. For co-culture interaction, both P. acnes and Lactobacillus plantarum strains (Lactobacillus plantarum TAR 4, Lactobacillus plantarum TAR 7, Lactobacillus plantarum TAR 8) were co-cultured on the same plate and the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum strains on the growth of P. acnes was determined by comparing the plate count (CFU, colony forming unit) between the mono-culture and co-culture. The results shown that the Lactobacillus plantarum strains were exhibited inhibitory effect on the growth of P. acnes.