Microbiome, Probiotics & Gut Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Miye Kwon

Abstract

The consortium of microorganisms inhabiting the skin, the so-called skin microbiome, is influenced by various factors such as skin conditions, genetics, age, and environment. Even within an individual, the skin microbiome is highly variable across environments. Skin microbiome protects against pathogens as a barrier and actively interacts with the host’s immune system. Some members of the skin microbiome can also act as opportunistic pathogens on the skin. Human-microbe interaction is an important factor in the homeostatic control of skin immunity. For this reason, this study aimed to screen the skin microbiome and assess the supportive effect of plant extracts to develop functional cosmetics using biological resources from Jeju Island. We investigated the skin microbiome based on a culture-dependent approach and evaluated the enhancement of skin probiotics with 51 biological resources to select effective extracts that improve skin troubles. As a result, microbial communities differ between before/after face cleansing. Some species including Gordonia sp., and Dermacoccus profundi only exist in specific skin samples. In particular, Staphylococcus epidermidis is more than 30% before cleansing in aerobic conditions. This bacterium is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and helps to play a role in preventing pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus. Also, the growth of good bacteria such as probiotics and S. epidermidis has increased with the addition of plant extracts. Overall, these results suggest the balance of the skin microbiome is sensitive to change, and plant extracts of Jeju could be considered useful prebiotic ingredients of cosmetic products to support the activity of probiotics, helping the skin barrier function for better recovery and resistance.