Undernutrition is associated with an unbalance of the intestinal microbiota. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of supplementing Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 with a dose of 1.16×10(9) CFU/3g for 50 days to prevent the progression of undernutrition in 30 infants.

Results showed better improvements in weight, size and nutritional status (p < 0.05) in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. In addition, L. plantarum Dad-13 modulated butyric acid-producing bacteria to inhibit the growth of Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.027). Thus, an increase in short-chain fatty acids such as propionic and butyric acids was observed (p < 0.05). The amount of L. plantarum was increased after the probiotic intervention (p = 0.027).

These results suggest that Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in preventing the progression of undernutrition.

Rafli Zulfa Kamil, Agnes Murdiati, Mohammad Juffrie, Endang Sutriswati Rahayu. Gut microbiota modulation of moderate undernutrition in infants through gummy Lactobacillus plantarum Dad-13 consumption: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Nutrients 2022 Mar1;14(5): 1049.