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Probiotic
News
The following
are current news
stories picked up from various feeds about the
latest probiotic news and events that are
shaping and changing what we know about the
science behind probiotics.
Researchers unveil complete
genetic make-up of cavity-causing bacterium
December 24th, 2009
Researchers have uncovered the complete genetic
make-up of the cavity-causing bacterium
Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, revealing the
genetic adaptations that allow this
microorganism to live and cause decay in the
human oral cavity. The study, led by Marco
Ventura's Probiogenomics laboratory at the
University of Parma, and Prof. Douwe van
Sinderen and Dr Paul O'Toole of the Alimentary
Pharmabiotic Centre at University College Cork,
is published December 24 in the open-access
journal PLoS Genetics.
Bifidobacteria, largely known as long-term
beneficial gut bacteria, are often included as
probiotic components of food to aid digestion
and boost the immune system. However, not all
species within the genus Bifidobacterium provide
beneficial effects to the host's health. In
fact, the Bifidobacterium dentium species is an
opportunistic pathogen since it has been linked
to the development of tooth decay. The genome
sequence of B. dentium Bd1 reveals how this
microorganism has adapted to the oral
environment through specialized nutrient
acquisition features, acid tolerance, defences
against antimicrobial substances and other gene
products that increase fitness and
competitiveness within the oral niche.
This report identifies, through various genomic
approaches, specific adaptations of a
Bifidobacterium taxon to a lifestyle as a tooth
decay-causing bacterium. The data in this study
indicate that the genome of this opportunistic
pathogen has evolved through only a small number
of horizontal gene acquisition events,
highlighting the narrow boundary that separates
bacteria that are long-term residents on or in
the human body from opportunistic pathogens.
Source: Public Library of Science
Got Gas? Probiotics
Can Make It a Problem of
the Past
New Clinical Study
Shows Probiotic Strain
-- BACILLUS Coagulans --
Reduces Intestinal Gas
Symptoms in Healthy
Adults and Improves
Quality of Life Even for
Those Without Specific
Gastrointestinal (GI)
Disorders
CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire
- December 15, 2009) - A
clinical study just
published in BMC
Gastroenterology found that
an over-the-counter product
containing the probiotic
strain, Bacillus coagulans
GBI-30, PTA-6086,
trademarked by Ganeden
Biotech as GanedenBC30, was
significantly more effective
than placebo in providing
relief to subjects suffering
from intestinal gas.
Bacillus coagulans has
already been shown to be
effective in more serious
disorders, such as irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), but
the study is the first to
show a gastrointestinal (GI)
benefit in otherwise healthy
adults.
The study adds to the
growing body of evidence
behind the Bacillus
coagulans strain, which is
rapidly gaining popularity
in fortified foods and
beverages and provides
additional rationale for why
the general population
should consider taking
probiotics everyday. Today,
nearly half of all Americans
report that uncomfortable
digestive problems affect
their day-to-day lives,
according to a survey by the
Foundation for Digestive
Health and Nutrition.
The randomized,
double-blind,
placebo-controlled study
found that subjects taking
Digestive Advantage Gas
Defense Formula, an
over-the-counter product
marketed by Ganeden Biotech
that contains the Bacillus
coagulans probiotic strain,
experienced statistically
significant improvement
versus placebo in the
Gastrointestinal Symptom
Rating Scale (GSRS) total
score over the four weeks of
product use. While there are
several over-the-counter
products marketed for
intestinal gas, few have
clinical evidence to support
their effectiveness.
The authors of the study
concluded that Digestive
Advantage Gas Defense
Formula was effective in
improving the quality of
life and reducing GI
symptoms in adults with
intestinal gas symptoms and
no GI diagnoses.
"Many people may not
understand that probiotics
are more than something you
find just in yogurt," said
Dr. Michael Roizen, New York
Times best-selling author,
co-founder of RealAge, and
Chief Wellness Officer at
the Cleveland Clinic.
"Taking probiotics is a good
habit that can really
benefit your digestive
system, which is intricately
connected to your overall
health, yet most Americans
are still unfamiliar with
them and the good they can
do."
Intestinal gas results
from the fermentation of
undigested carbohydrates in
the lower bowel. The lack of
appropriate enzymes to break
down these carbohydrates
before they reach the lower
bowel is a major factor, as
is the case with people who
are lactose intolerant.
Bacillus coagulans has been
shown in an in vitro model
of the human digestive tract
to aid in the digestion of
carbohydrates, including
lactose and fructose.
Because Bacillus coagulans
can grow for days throughout
the intestinal tract, it can
help break down
carbohydrates before they
cause gas.
"We were impressed by the
results given the strong
placebo effect present in
this study, a phenomenon
quite common in studies
involving subjective
measures," said Douglas
Kalman, Ph.D., R.D., author
of the 61 subject study and
fellow of the American
College of Nutrition.
"Although Bacillus coagulans
has previously been shown to
be effective for serious GI
disorders, such as IBS and
antibiotic associated
diarrhea, this study
suggests that the general
population can also benefit
and address a common GI
complaint."
David Keller, M.D., who
oversees scientific affairs
at Ganeden, said, "Digestive
Advantage Gas Defense
Formula is unique among
today's products designed to
alleviate gas because you
don't have to take it with
every meal. Consumers find
many other gas products less
effective and less
convenient -- as they are
recommended to be consumed
at the time you're eating
gas-causing food or after
gas is already an issue.
Consumers don't always know
which foods are going to
cause gas, and they don't
want to wait until they have
gas to do something about
it."
Marshall Fong, Ganeden's
vice president of marketing,
said, "Consumers who try
Digestive Advantage are much
more likely to become repeat
purchasers than people who
try 30 other of the most
popular brands of digestive
products sold in store,
according to a
nationally-representative
sample of 70,000 households.
We believe people are more
loyal consumers of our
products because they really
work, and the clinical study
supports that."
Several food and beverage
companies have recently
added Ganeden's probiotic
strain to their products.
Ganeden Biotech provided a
research grant to help fund
study highlighted in this
news release, and the
company intends to continue
supporting research to show
how its probiotic strain can
benefit both the general
population and those with
specific health issues,
added Fong.
For complete study
findings, please visit
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/9/85.
Danisco technology toughens up
probiotic cultures
September 15th, 2009
Patent-pending encapsulation technique
promises significantly improved probiotic
stability
Danisco Bio Actives has today unveiled
outstanding initial results using novel
encapsulation technology to improve the survival
of probiotic cultures at high temperatures and
during storage in semi-moist applications.
Trials with an encapsulated Lactobacillus
acidophilus culture have found that resistance
to temperatures up to 50°C (122°F) increased
ten-fold when heat treatment was applied for 24
hours under dry conditions. In addition, the
probiotic strain retained 60% viability after
five months’ storage at room temperature in a
nutritional bar with a moisture level of 0.35Aw.
Additional tests with the encapsulated probiotic
in a recombined cheese application showed
processing resistance 2,500 times superior to
that of the control.
New probiotic potential
Isabelle Mazeaud, Bioprocess Development Senior
Scientist at Danisco, presented the technology
at the Industrial Workshop on Microencapsulation
of Flavors and Bioactives in Minnesota, USA.
A high level of probiotic survival all through
process and storage is both technically and
economically critical for food and supplement
manufacturers,’ she comments. ’The new
encapsulation technique will eventually open up
new development possibilities in nutrition bars,
infant formulas, breakfast cereals, powder
beverages and processed cheese.’
Free of solvents and comprising food-grade,
water-soluble components, the patent-pending
technology meets the requirements of the
industry and further tests are still running to
ensure the presence of live active bacteria
throughout the desired shelf life of various
food and nutritional products.
Proactive bioprocess development
Following the recent opening of its Bioprocess
Development Centre in Dangé, France, Danisco Bio
Actives continues to consolidate its expertise
in processing sensitive microorganisms, such as
cultures.
’Danisco has always been proactive in searching
for innovative technologies to improve the
processing of cultures and deliver the potency
and function that food and supplement
manufacturers require,’ said Egon Bech Hansen,
Vice President R&D for Danisco Bio Actives.
The company already offers a range of probiotic
cultures with superior stability exceeding
24-month shelf life at room temperature in very
low moisture applications.
Ganeden Biotech takes next
step: Probiotics for livestock
feed
MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio —
Ganeden Biotech Inc. has
taken another step in its
mission to get Americans to eat
healthy by launching its
patented probiotic as an
additive for livestock feed.
Founded in 1997, Ganeden has
been packaging its “good
bacteria” in the form of dietary
supplement capsules for more
than a decade.
Probiotics are live
microorganisms containing
bacteria or yeasts that can make
people who take them healthier.
Some believers say probiotics
improve their digestion, boost
their immunity and even enable
them to digest dairy foods.
Last year, Ganeden began
selling its probiotic
– particularly hearty
strains of Bacillus
coagulans – as a food
ingredient for
humans. GanedenBC30 is added
to foods from yogurt to energy
bars to ice cream.
Now, the company
is repackaging its bacteria yet
again and selling it as ProGan, an
additive for livestock feed. The
thinking is the probiotic will
promote health and digestion of
livestock so that farmers won’t
use antibiotics or other
synthetic substances to keep
their animals healthy.
Antibiotics are fed to some
livestock to keep them healthy
and promote growth. However,
some scientists say that eating
food like pork from animals that
were fed antibiotics is
destroying the effectiveness of
the bacteria-fighting medicines
as well as polluting the
environment.
Ganeden has established
recommended ProGan feeding rates
for cattle (36 grams per day),
pigs (5.5 grams per day) and
chickens (1 gram per day). The
product, which comes in pellet
form, is sold directly by
Ganeden in 50-pound bags or in
bulk quantities.
“We’re excited to enter the
farming and livestock production
industry with ProGan,” said Andy
Lefkowitz, Ganeden’s chief
executive, in a written
statement. “This innovative
product provides farmers and
ranchers with a natural and
effective way to improve
livestock health and positively
influence feed conversion
without the use of antibiotics.”
************************************
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complete description of probiotics, along with
groundbreaking recent clinical research
illustrating the many ways probiotics can
prevent disease, can be found in
Probiotics - Protection Against Infection: Using
Nature's Tiny Warriors To Stem Infection,
copyright 2009.
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