The Effects of Different Temperatures to the growth rate of

Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Philippine Science High School – Central Visayas Campus

Carl Zachary M. Lagura

Victor Lorenz Limosnero
 Rationale
In the recent times the use of probiotics has received increasing attention as scientific evidence
continues to accumulate on the properties, functionality, and beneficial effects of probiotic
bacteria on humans. One of the popular sources is milk and milk products which is full of
lactobacilli. The present study is directed towards the study of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
specifically in the different conditions that it may be exposed to and its reactions to the
different temperatures and levels of pH that it may come in contact with.
 The Effects of Lactobacillus Acidophilus in Different Conditions

Introduction
Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate
amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” The utilization of probiotics for human has
gotten expanding consideration as logical proof keeps on amassing on the properties,
usefulness, and advantageous impacts of probiotic microorganisms on people. Thus, probiotics
have become popular in the food industry as every other person is attempting to jump in the
healthy fad bandwagon. Lactic acid bacteria, especially Lactobacillus, are the most commonly
used microorganisms as probiotics because of the perception that they are desirable members
of the intestinal micro flora. It is the one you'll find in yogurt and other fermented foods.
Among other things, Lactobacillus helps send food through your gut by affecting nerves that
control gut movement. They are also beneficial in the treatment and alleviation of Irritable
bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses,
bacteria, or parasites) and Diarrhea caused by antibiotics. There is also some research that
shows they are useful for problems with skin conditions such as eczema, urinary and vaginal
health, preventing allergies and colds, and promote better Oral health. However, this increasing
interest in probiotics especially Lactobacillus has resulted in many purported health products
being marketed without adequate studies leading to problems of inconsistent efficacy of the
products. Unlike drug companies, makers of probiotic supplements don't have to show their
products are effective.

Objectives
The aim of this paper is to test the Lactobacillus Acidophilus in different temperature
ranges. It is also the intention of the Researcher to find out the optimum environment where
this type of bacteria will thrive to promote efficacy of its purported benefits.

Significance of the Study

Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a normal bacterium in healthy intestines, but for us to

actually reap the health benefits advertised by these health food manufacturers, there is a need
to ensure that by taking it as a supplement or consuming foods that contain it, the bacteria
must be in its optimal condition. For this to be achieved, it is the expectation of the researcher
to offer the results of the study which will list out the most and least optimal temperature that
will affect probiotic consumption safety and to consolidate the on what topics require further
research.
 Scopes and Limitations

This study will focus on subjecting the Lactobacillus Acidophilus to different conditions
in the laboratory such as varying degrees of temperature.

Definition of Terms

Acidophilus A lactobacillus (Lactobacillus acidophilus) that is added especially

to dairy products (such as yogurt and milk) or prepared as a
dietary supplement, is part of the normal intestinal and vaginal
flora, and is used therapeutically especially to promote intestinal
health.
A preparation containing such bacteria.

Lactobacillus A rod-shaped bacterium which produces lactic acid from the

fermentation of carbohydrates. Genus Lactobacillus; nonmotile
Gram-positive bacteria.
Any long, slender, rod-shaped, anaerobic bacterium of the genus
Lactobacillus that produces large amounts of lactic acid in the
fermentation of carbohydrates, especially in milk.

Probiotics Probiotics is a general term for living microorganisms --often

called "friendly" bacteria -- that have health benefits in the body.
These can be bacteria or yeast that is similar to organisms that are
naturally found in the body, especially in the digestive tract.

Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature
 I. Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a type of bacteria found in your intestines. It's a member of the
Lactobacillus genus of bacteria, and it plays an important role in human health. Its name gives
an indication of what it produces lactic acid; it does this by producing an enzyme called lactase;
lactase breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk, into lactic acid (Robertson R., 2017).
Lactobacillus acidophilus is also sometimes referred to as L. acidophilus or simply acidophilus
and is mainly used as probiotics. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as "live
micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on
the host". It works by creating a hostile environment for the "bad" bacteria, and is often
recommended as a supplement to antibiotics, which kill both good and bad bacteria equally,
upsetting the intestinal balance (Halperin K., 2015).

II. L. Acidophilus in the human body

Diarrhoea affects people for a number of reasons, including bacterial infections. It can be
dangerous if it lasts a long time, as it results in fluid loss and, in some cases, dehydration. A
number of studies have shown that probiotics like L. acidophilus may help prevent and reduce
diarrhoea that's associated with various diseases (Robertson R, 2017). L. acidophilus has been
used to control certain types of diarrhoea. It may be especially helpful for diarrhoea due to oral
antibiotics. These medicines destroy the normal flora of the intestine. L. acidophilus replenishes
the intestine with a beneficial bacterium. This often stops diarrhoea. It may also help keep
vaginal yeast infections in check (Brittany P., Joana W.). What's more, when consumed in
combination with another probiotic, L. acidophilus may help reduce diarrhoea caused by
radiotherapy in adult cancer patients (Robertson R., 2017). Similarly, it may help reduce
diarrhoea associated with antibiotics and a common infection called Clostridium difficile, or C.
diff (Robertson R., 2017).
Healthy bacteria like L. acidophilus can boost the immune system and thus help reduce the
risk of viral infections. In fact, some studies have suggested that probiotics may prevent and
improve symptoms of the common cold .A few of these studies examined how effectively L.
acidophilus treated colds in children. In one study in 326 children, six months of daily L.
acidophilus probiotics reduced fever by 53%, coughing by 41%, antibiotic use by 68% and days
absent from school by 32% .The same study found that combining L. acidophilus with another
probiotic was even more effective .A similar study on L. acidophilus and another probiotic also
found similar positive results for reducing cold symptoms in children (Robertson R., 2017).
 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to one in five people in certain countries. Its
symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating and unusual bowel movements. While little is
known about the cause of IBS, some research suggests it might be caused by certain types of
bacteria in the intestines .Therefore, a number of studies have examined whether probiotics
can help improve its symptoms. In a study in 60 people with functional bowel disorders
including IBS, taking a combination of L. acidophilus and another probiotic for one to two
months improved bloating .A similar study found that L. acidophilus alone also reduced
abdominal pain in IBS patients .On the other hand, a study that examined a mixture of L.
acidophilus and other probiotics found that it had no effect IBS symptoms. This might be
explained by another study suggesting that taking a low dose of single-strain probiotics for a
short duration may improve IBS symptoms the most. Specifically, the study indicates that the
best way to take probiotics for IBS is to use single-strain probiotics, rather than a mix, for less
than eight weeks, as well as a dose of less than 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per day
.However, it's important to choose a probiotic supplement that has been scientifically proven to
benefit IBS (Robertson R., 2017).

Methodology

First, in order to obtain the bacteria we extract the powder contained from probiotic
supplements that must be freeze dried that contain the lactobacillus bacteria after which we
take the powder and place it in a test tube with 2-3 drops of sterile water after the powder has
dissolved we transfer the contents of the test tube to multiple petri dishes with agar enough to
support the bacteria for 4 days. Then culture the bacteria for a few hours then we transfer the
petri dishes to the various specified conditions such as hot temperature, cold temperature and
room temperature. Then we let the bacteria culture in their respective conditions, every day for
3 days we gather the data by measuring the diameter of the colony of the bacteria after
gathering data we compare results of the different conditions and conclude the most efficient
condition to allow the said bacteria to thrive.
 References
Mary Ellen Sanders; Probiotics: Definition, Sources, Selection, and Uses, Clinical Infectious
Diseases, Volume 46, Issue Supplement_2, 1 February 2008, Pages S58–S61,
https://doi.org/10.1086/523341

American Gastroenterological Association: "Probiotics: What They Are and What They Can Do
for You."

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