Mechanisms of actions of discussed substances
| Substances | Mechanism of action |
|---|---|
| Disintegration of the cell membrane of the bacteria and instigation of ion migration outside the cell through the agency of essential oils | |
| Herbs | Increase in the phagocytic activity of macrophages, and the number of stimulated B and T lymphocytes, and stimulation of the synthesis of interferon through the agency of phenolic compounds, terpenes, alkaloids and many others |
| Increase in the number of lactobacilli in the digestive tract | |
| Probiotics | Production of antibacterial substances by organisms colonising the digestive tract: organic acids – rapid reduction in pH below the optimum for the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and also inhibition of bacterial activity by undissociated acid molecules that acidify their cytoplasm hydrogen peroxide – oxidation of disulphide bridges in bacterial cell proteins bacteriocins – nisin, acidolin, acidophilin, lactacin, lactocidine, lactoline, and enterocine with bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity secreted outside the probiotic bacteria cell |
| Formation of natural biofilm in the mucosa of the intestine – a barrier against potentially pathogenic factors | |
| Increase in immunoglobulin level, γ-interferon production and activity of lymphocytes and macrophages | |
| Impact on the metabolic activity of lactic acid-producing bacteria | |
| Yeasts | Production of B vitamins, positively affecting the growth of positive bacterial flora |
| Glucan and mannan (components of cell wall) activity against pathogenic bacteria growth | |
| Prebiotics | Selective stimulation of growth or increase in the activity of the positive intestinal microflora by these food ingredients resistant to the action of digestive enzymes |
| Selective promotion of the probiotic component in these mixtures of probiotics and prebiotics (synergy effect) | |
| Synbiotics | Provision of energy and carbohydrates for the rumen microbes and increase in the amount of propionate and short-chain fatty acids |
| Increase in mobility of some bacteria (including E. coli) in the intestines, hindrance of adhesion to epithelial cells and biofilm formation | |
| Lactoferrin | Bacteriostatic effect – binding iron ions and limiting access to them |
| Bactericidal effect – interaction of the strong positive end of the molecule on the wall of the bacterial/fungal cell, degrading it and leading to the leakage of intracellular components | |
| Bacteriophages | Lytic cycle – activation of the lytic proteins (by the critical mass of phage progeny inside the host cell) which hydrolyse the peptidoglycan cell wall releasing novel phages |