# The Microalga Chlorella vulgaris Supplements as a Factor Increasing the Survival of Potentially Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria Under Environmental Stress Conditions

## TL;DR

Chlorella vulgaris supplements help lactic acid bacteria survive better under harsh conditions like acidity and bile salts, making them more effective as probiotics.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the protective effect of Chlorella vulgaris on probiotic bacteria under environmental stress, offering a novel approach to enhance probiotic viability.

## Key findings

- Chlorella vulgaris significantly improved the survival of lactic acid bacteria in acidic and bile-rich environments.
- The protective effect of Chlorella vulgaris varied depending on the strain and culture conditions.
- LAB showed the lowest survival in 0.5% bile salts, regardless of the culture variant.

## Abstract

Recent studies show that
Chlorella vulgaris
, due to its richness in nutrients, exhibits protective properties for probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This creates an opportunity to produce more effective probiotics. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two supplements of
C. vulgaris
on the growth and survival of LAB exposed to adverse stress factors (pH = 3, the presence of 0.2% and 0.5% bile salts). Survival was evaluated after 0 and 6 h of culture in the adverse stress environment. The results obtained, indicated statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in the obtained growth and survival of the tested groups of LAB in the presence of
C. vulgaris
and the control sample. The study found that LAB showed the lowest survival rate in the presence of 0.5% bile salts, regardless of the culture variant. The results obtained suggest that the effect of
C. vulgaris
on the growth and survival of LAB strains depends on various factors, including the culture environment, the source of isolation of the strain and the chemical composition and nutritional content of the preparation. The results confirm the protective nature of
C. vulgaris
in the presence of high concentrations of bile salts and low pH.

Chlorella vulgaris
supplementation enhanced the growth and survival of lactic acid bacteria under acidic and bile stress, confirming its protective role. These findings highlight the potential of
C. vulgaris
as a functional additive to improve probiotic viability in food applications.