Optimizing Magnesium Uptake in Lacticaseibacillus Rhamnosus To Advance Nutribiotic Strategies Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes are microscopic organisms living in and on the human body, shaping health through digestion, vitamin production, and immune protection. When microbial balance is disrupted, disease can occur. This guide explains key microbe types—bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea—plus major pathogenic and beneficial examples.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study explored the ability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus to internalize magnesium (Mg²⁺) and how this process could enhance the bioavailability of magnesium in the human gastrointestinal tract. The researchers investigated how different concentrations of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) affected magnesium uptake, bacterial growth, and morphology. The study aimed to optimize magnesium uptake in L. rhamnosus to develop it as a functional probiotic that can help alleviate magnesium deficiency through nutribiotic strategies.
Who was studied?
The study focused on Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, a strain commonly used in probiotics. The bacteria were cultivated under varying magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) concentrations in MRS medium to assess their ability to absorb and internalize magnesium. The study also involved detailed morphological analyses using electron microscopy to observe the effects of magnesium supplementation on bacterial cells.
What were the most important findings?
The most significant findings of this study were that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus can internalize magnesium in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. When the bacteria were cultured in magnesium-enriched medium (up to 1.444 g/L MgSO₄), intracellular magnesium levels increased significantly, with the highest accumulation observed on Day 3. This magnesium uptake was associated with changes in bacterial morphology, including ruffled cell surfaces and enhanced ribosomal visibility, suggesting magnesium’s role in supporting bacterial metabolism and function. Additionally, the study highlighted that magnesium accumulation in L. rhamnosus was regulated, with bacteria only upregulating magnesium transport systems when external magnesium availability was persistent. These findings point to L. rhamnosus‘s potential as a magnesium carrier, improving magnesium bioaccessibility and absorption in the gut.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
This study underscores the potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus as a probiotic carrier of magnesium, offering a novel approach to addressing magnesium deficiency. The ability of this strain to internalize magnesium and release it in the gut could help improve magnesium bioavailability, particularly in populations with insufficient magnesium intake. This mechanism could be used in nutribiotic strategies to enhance mineral absorption, especially in individuals who struggle with magnesium supplementation due to poor absorption. The study also lays the groundwork for optimizing probiotic strains for enhanced mineral delivery, which could contribute to better management of conditions associated with magnesium deficiency, such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and bone health issues.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium (Mg) is a vital metal that not only supports critical cellular functions in both humans and microbes but also plays a significant role in shaping microbial pathogenesis. By regulating microbial growth, virulence factor expression, and competition for nutrients, magnesium directly influences infection outcomes. Understanding how magnesium interacts with microbial communities and the host immune system provides novel insights into therapeutic strategies that modulate microbial behavior, potentially improving infection management and microbiome health.