The Effect of Diet and Workout Supplements on the Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Microbiology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
With the emergence of dietary and workout supplements into the diets of many, the health of the gut microbiome must be considered when evaluating the effectiveness and safety of these supplements. A common probiotic used and found within the gut in order to promote a healthy biome within one's body is the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus. By testing the growth and survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus with the dietary supplements creatine, caffeine, and whey protein, a conclusion may be drawn relating the use of supplements and the health of one’s gut microbiome. It was hypothesized that as the use of whey protein increases, the survival of the probiotic will decrease in comparison to the other supplements used. Whey protein has been linked to bloating, stomach pain, and gas as a result of indigestion. By testing the survival rates of this probiotic, it can be found whether or not this is due to the effect different supplements have on the viability of healthy probiotics aiding in the gut’s microbiome. The Lactobacillus acidophilus was cultured by incubating the probiotic in 6 mL of nutrient broth with the supplement used in four trials (control, creatine, caffeine, whey protein) for 24 hours. The culture was then plated on 30 agar plates for each trial followed by a second 24 hour incubation period before counting the colonies formed on the plates. A one-way ANOVA test (F(2,87) = 3.2, p = 0.05) displayed that there was a significant difference between the three groups compared.
Recommended Citation
Ries, Lillian, "The Effect of Diet and Workout Supplements on the Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 100.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/100
Location
ECL 103
Start Date
3-25-2023 11:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Diet and Workout Supplements on the Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus
ECL 103
With the emergence of dietary and workout supplements into the diets of many, the health of the gut microbiome must be considered when evaluating the effectiveness and safety of these supplements. A common probiotic used and found within the gut in order to promote a healthy biome within one's body is the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus. By testing the growth and survival of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus with the dietary supplements creatine, caffeine, and whey protein, a conclusion may be drawn relating the use of supplements and the health of one’s gut microbiome. It was hypothesized that as the use of whey protein increases, the survival of the probiotic will decrease in comparison to the other supplements used. Whey protein has been linked to bloating, stomach pain, and gas as a result of indigestion. By testing the survival rates of this probiotic, it can be found whether or not this is due to the effect different supplements have on the viability of healthy probiotics aiding in the gut’s microbiome. The Lactobacillus acidophilus was cultured by incubating the probiotic in 6 mL of nutrient broth with the supplement used in four trials (control, creatine, caffeine, whey protein) for 24 hours. The culture was then plated on 30 agar plates for each trial followed by a second 24 hour incubation period before counting the colonies formed on the plates. A one-way ANOVA test (F(2,87) = 3.2, p = 0.05) displayed that there was a significant difference between the three groups compared.
