Scientists discovered that a type of helpful bacteria called Enterococcus faecium produces natural chemicals that can fight Salmonella, a common cause of food poisoning and stomach illness. In laboratory tests, these natural chemicals showed strong abilities to kill harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and protect cells from damage. While these results are promising, the research was done in test tubes and petri dishes, not in people yet. The findings suggest this good bacteria might one day help treat stomach infections, but more research is needed before doctors could recommend it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether natural chemicals made by a helpful gut bacteria (Enterococcus faecium) could kill harmful Salmonella bacteria and reduce inflammation in laboratory conditions
  • Who participated: This was a lab study using bacterial samples isolated from milk. No human participants were involved—all testing was done in test tubes and petri dishes
  • Key finding: The natural chemicals from the good bacteria killed Salmonella bacteria in a dose-dependent way, with the strongest effect at higher concentrations. The chemicals also showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lab tests
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential future treatment approach for food poisoning, but it’s still very early stage. These results only show what happens in test tubes, not in actual human bodies. Don’t expect this as a treatment option yet

The Research Details

This was a laboratory-based research study that isolated and tested bacteria in controlled conditions. Scientists first collected bacterial samples from milk and identified them using genetic testing (16S rRNA sequencing). They confirmed they had the right bacteria by checking the genetic match—Enterococcus faecium matched 93.79% and Salmonella enterica matched 96.97% to known reference sequences.

Next, they extracted natural chemicals from the good bacteria using different solvents (ethanol, methanol, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate). This process separated out 14 different bioactive compounds, including lactic acid and acetic acid—chemicals that naturally occur in fermented foods. Finally, they tested these extracted chemicals against Salmonella bacteria and measured various protective effects in test tubes.

This approach is important because it helps scientists understand exactly which natural chemicals produced by probiotics might be beneficial. Rather than just knowing a bacteria is ‘good,’ researchers can identify the specific compounds responsible for fighting infections and reducing inflammation. This knowledge could eventually lead to targeted treatments that are more effective and safer than antibiotics

This study has both strengths and limitations. Strengths include proper bacterial identification using genetic sequencing and testing multiple protective properties. Limitations include: all testing was done in laboratory conditions (test tubes), not in living organisms; no human participants were involved; the study doesn’t tell us if these effects would work in actual human bodies; and the sample size of bacterial strains tested wasn’t specified. These are preliminary findings that require much more research before any medical applications

What the Results Show

The natural chemicals from Enterococcus faecium showed strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella bacteria. When researchers applied increasing amounts of these chemicals, they saw a dose-dependent response—meaning more chemical produced a stronger effect. At the highest concentration tested (100 µg/mL), the chemicals created a 20 mm zone of dead bacteria around the test area.

The chemicals also demonstrated powerful antioxidant properties, meaning they protected cells from harmful damage caused by unstable molecules. At 550 µg/mL concentration, the chemicals achieved a 99.8% scavenging rate—nearly perfect protection against oxidative stress.

Anti-inflammatory effects were also impressive, with 99% inhibition of protein denaturation (a marker of inflammation) at 500 µg/mL. Additionally, the chemicals showed anti-diabetic potential by inhibiting alpha-amylase enzyme by 84.66%, which could theoretically help control blood sugar levels.

An important safety finding was that the chemicals showed minimal toxicity to human blood cells at lower concentrations. However, at very high concentrations (250 µg/mL), hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) reached 90%, indicating potential toxicity at excessive doses. This suggests there would be a safe therapeutic window—a range where the chemicals are effective but not harmful to human cells

This research builds on growing evidence that probiotics produce beneficial compounds beyond just their physical presence in the gut. Previous studies have shown that lactic acid bacteria produce various antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. This study adds to that knowledge by specifically characterizing Enterococcus faecium’s compounds and demonstrating multiple protective properties simultaneously, which is relatively novel

Critical limitations include: (1) All testing occurred in laboratory conditions, not in living animals or humans, so results may not translate to real-world effectiveness; (2) The study doesn’t specify how many bacterial strains were tested, limiting generalizability; (3) No information about how these chemicals would survive stomach acid or be absorbed in the human digestive system; (4) The concentrations used in tests may not be achievable through normal probiotic consumption; (5) No comparison to existing treatments or other probiotics; (6) Long-term safety and efficacy data are completely absent

The Bottom Line

Current evidence level: Very preliminary (laboratory only). At this stage, there are no clinical recommendations. Existing probiotics with established safety records remain the evidence-based option for gut health. This research suggests future potential but requires years of additional testing in animals and humans before any medical recommendations could be made. If you have gastroenteritis, consult your doctor about proven treatments

This research is most relevant to: microbiologists and probiotic researchers; pharmaceutical companies developing new treatments; people interested in the future of personalized medicine; healthcare providers researching emerging therapies. This should NOT influence current treatment decisions for anyone with food poisoning or digestive issues. People with active gastroenteritis should seek conventional medical care

Realistic expectations: If this research leads to human applications, it would likely take 5-10+ years minimum. The typical pathway includes: 2-3 years of additional laboratory research, 3-5 years of animal studies, and 5-7 years of human clinical trials before any potential approval. Don’t expect this as a treatment option in the near future

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily probiotic intake and digestive symptoms (bloating, discomfort, bowel regularity) on a 1-10 scale. Note any changes in symptom patterns over 4-week periods. This baseline data would be valuable if future probiotic treatments become available
  • Continue consuming established probiotic sources (yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables) while monitoring digestive health. Use the app to log which probiotic foods you consume and how you feel afterward to identify personal patterns. Share this data with your healthcare provider if you have ongoing digestive concerns
  • Establish a long-term digestive wellness baseline by tracking symptoms, food intake, and probiotic consumption for at least 8 weeks. This creates a personal reference point for understanding your gut health and could be valuable information if new treatments become available. Review trends monthly to identify what helps your individual digestive system

This research describes laboratory findings only and has not been tested in humans. These results do not represent approved medical treatments. If you have gastroenteritis or food poisoning, seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat digestive conditions. Probiotics are not regulated as strictly as medications and should be discussed with your doctor, especially if you have a weakened immune system, are pregnant, or take medications. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice