Milk fat globule membrane protects Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG from bile stress by regulating exopolysaccharide production and biofilm formation.

The milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a complex, highly conserved structure surrounding fat droplets secreted into mammalian milk. This study evaluated the impact of MFGM on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). MFGM-10 (2.5 g/L, 5 g/L, and 10 g/L) did not affect LGG growth in MRS medium but enhanced the ability of LGG to survive in the presence of 0.5% porcine bile. In the presence of MFGM-10 (5 g/L) and bile (0.5%), there were less complex polysaccharides in the media and less capsular polysaccharides associated with the LGG cells compared to the bile exposure alone (p < 0.05). The expression of four EPS genes was modulated by bile stress and MFGM. Biofilm thickness was increased (p < 0.05) during bile stress with MFGM compared to other treatments. Furthermore, MFGM increased LGG survival during transit in the murine GI tract. Future experiments will determine the impact of MFGM on LGG probiotic functionality.