Safety evaluation of S. cerevisiae IFST 062013

Twelve swiss albino mice aged 5–6 weeks were divided into two treatment groups designated as C and T (6 mice in each group). In order to assess the safety of the putative probiotic isolate, S. cerevisiae IFST 062013, a single dose of 150 μl (~10⁹ cfu) S. cerevisiae IFST 062013 were administered orally to each of the test group mice. Mice of the control group were fed with sterile PBS. After feeding, mice were monitored daily for 14 days to observe any changes in their activities, behavior and general health. Individual body weight was recorded daily using a balance [41]. In addition, the feces of mice were collected to enumerate the total numbers of S. cerevisiae and enterobacteria on day 0, 7 and 14. After 14 days. YPD agar was used for enumeration of S. cerevisiae and MacConkey agar was used for enumeration of enterobacteria [42]. Blood samples were collected for biomarker analysis, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total cholesterol of the serum. Blood sample was also used to check fungaemia. The growth rate (GR), spleen weight index and liver weight ratio were calculated according to Kantachote et al. [43].