Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro

The synbiotic ability of probiotic bacteria and konjac
glucomannan hydrolysates (GMH) to inhibit
acne-inducing bacterium, Propionibacterium acnes
growth was studied in vitro. All probiotic bacteria
strains tested were able to inhibit the growth of
this species of skin bacterium where the inhibition
was significantly (P <0.01) enhanced by the presence
of the GMH prebiotic. As the current treatment
of acne is based on topical or systemic drugs,
it is worth examining further the biotherapeutic
activities of the GMH and selected probiotics with
a view to future use as prophylactic or therapeutic
synbiotics for treating acne infections.