Volume 33(1); 2025
Comparative analysis of microbial diversity in various kombucha starter cultures in Malaysia using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) approach
Nur Syafiqah Syahmimie Augustine, Eric Tzyy Jiann Chong, Clemente Michael Vui Ling Wong, Nurul Farhana Nasir, Shaiful Adzni Sharifuddin, Noorjahan Banu Alitheen, Nurul Elyani Mohamad*
APJMBB 33(1): 1-10
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.35118/apjmbb.2025.033.1.01
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Kombucha is sweetened black tea fermented with symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) and has been widely consumed for its purported health benefits. The microbial consortium in kombucha is dominated by yeasts such as Brettanomyces sp. and Zygosaccharomyces sp., as well as acetic acid bacteria (AAB), Komagataeibacter sp. and Acetobacter sp. However, the source of SCOBY and substrates used may affect the microbial diversity as well as the biochemical, and flavour of the kombucha. Identifying the microbial population is important as the use of undefined starter cultures may lead to variable metabolite production and increase the risk of food pathogen contamination which can pose harm to human health. This study aims to isolate the microbes from kombucha in Malaysia for the future development of a new starter culture with specific species for the safe consumption of kombucha. Briefly, a total of 100 colonies were isolated from nine kombucha starter cultures with selective culture plates. Differences in colony morphology were observed based on their colours, surface texture, elevation, and margin. Their phenotypic morphology and genetic diversity were screened using microscopic examination, coupled with a catalase test and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), respectively. Based on the data, 51% of the isolates showed yeasts morphology under microscopic examination, while the rest were bacteria. Additionally, 55.79% of the isolates showed distinct banding profile patterns in the RAPD assessments. In conclusion, the data of this study shows that there is a diverse microbial consortium in different starter cultures of kombucha from Malaysia, mainly predominated by Gram-negative AAB and Gram-positive yeasts. Identification at the species level is to be conducted in the future. By understanding the microbiota diversity in kombucha, it contributes to the development and production of a safe functional drink.
The smiting of Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis: A novel antimicrobial proposition
Moad Khalifa, Wei Cun See Too, Ai Lan Chew, Ling Ling Few
APJMBB 33(1): 11-18
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.35118/apjmbb.2025.033.1.02
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S. mitis and S. oralis are typically found in the oral cavity of humans, but they have the potential to become harmful pathogens that cause infective endocarditis and bacteraemia, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a serious issue that poses a significant threat to public health, and if appropriate measures are not taken, it could result in an estimated ten million deaths annually by 2050. S. mitis group of bacteria has demonstrated resistance to various antibiotics, highlighting the urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies. Research has shown that inhibitors of human choline kinase can impede the activity of choline kinase (ChoK) and inhibit the growth of S. pneumoniae. ChoK, encoded by the licA gene of Streptococcus species, is responsible for producing phosphorylcholine, a precursor for lipoteichoic acid and cell wall teichoic acid. Due to the significant homology of the licA gene and protein sequences of S. mitis, S. oralis to S. pneumoniae, we propose that choline kinase inhibitors (ChoKIs), which have been effective against S. pneumoniae, have a promising prospect in inhibiting S. mitis and S. oralis. In summary, the development of novel antimicrobial strategies is critical to combat the spread of AMR in S. mitis and S. oralis. The high homology between the licA gene and protein sequences of these bacteria presents a promising opportunity for the development of ChoKIs to "smite" S. mitis and S. oralis and potentially mitigate the high mortality rates associated with AMR.
Role of Socs1 variants and Socs3 expression levels in interleukins production in asthma
Hanya Bachay Makttoof, Shereen Al-Ali, Hadi Lazim Alabadi
APJMBB 33(1): 19-26
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.35118/apjmbb.2025.033.1.03
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Asthma is a heterogenic chronic inflammation of the lower respiratory tract. Asthma is highly prevalent in Basrah city. This study aimed to investigate the effect of SOCS (SOCS1 & SOCS3) at the molecular level on the production of several cytokines (IL-6, IL-17 and IL-31) in asthma. The current study included a total of 80 participants, 54 asthmatic patients and 26 heathy controls. The levels of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-31 were estimated by ELISA while the SOCS1 gene polymorphism -1478 CA>del (rs33989964) was detected by RFLP-PCR. In addition, SOCS3 expression was estimated by qRT-PCR. The findings shown that the genotype del/del was significantly associated with asthma in the codominant model while CA/CA and CA/del genotype were significantly associated with asthma in the recessive model. The CA/del genotype was significantly associated with asthma in the over dominant model. The expression of SOCS3 was elevated non-significantly in asthma patients (4.28±1.41) while healthy control groups was 1. The highest level of SOCS3 expression was found in association with the CA/del genotype. The expression of SOCS3 did not have any effect on IL-6 level, while it had a slight effect on IL-17 in the CA/del genotype. The expression of SOCS3 has a clear effect on IL-31 in all SOCS1 genotypes. In conclusion, the heterotypic genotype CA/del plays important role in both the expression of SOCS3 and the production of IL-31 during asthma.