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Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes01:27

Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes

Firmicutes is a diverse phylum of Gram-positive bacteria characterized by a low GC content in their genomes. This phylum includes organisms with monoderm or diderm cell envelopes, highlighting a complex evolutionary history. Firmicutes comprises several major orders, including Lactobacillales, Clostridiales, and Bacillales, which exhibit remarkable diversity in their morphology, metabolism, and ecological roles.The order Lactobacillales includes lactic acid bacteria, which are fermentative...
Microbes in Food Production01:29

Microbes in Food Production

Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Production of Organic Acids01:25

Production of Organic Acids

Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Multiplex Detection of Bacteria in Complex Clinical and Environmental Samples using Oligonucleotide-coupled Fluorescent Microspheres
11:09

Multiplex Detection of Bacteria in Complex Clinical and Environmental Samples using Oligonucleotide-coupled Fluorescent Microspheres

Published on: October 23, 2011

Probiotic spectra of lactic acid bacteria (LAB).

A S Naidu1, W R Bidlack, R A Clemens

  • 1Center for Antimicrobial Research, College of Agriculture, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 91768, USA.

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
|February 24, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial microbes that live in the gut and offer several health benefits. They help prevent harmful bacteria from growing and can improve digestion. Some studies suggest that LAB may also help reduce the risk of cancer by blocking harmful substances. These bacteria are safe for human use, as shown by over 140 clinical trials with no reported side effects. Researchers believe that LAB could be used more widely as a natural alternative to synthetic drugs, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

Keywords:
Lactic acid bacteriaProbiotic effectsGut healthImmune modulationAntimicrobial properties

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Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective

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Multiplex Detection of Bacteria in Complex Clinical and Environmental Samples using Oligonucleotide-coupled Fluorescent Microspheres
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Published on: October 23, 2011

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods
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The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
04:40

The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective

Published on: June 16, 2022

Area of Science:

  • Probiotic microbiology within gastrointestinal health
  • Microbial immunology in clinical nutrition

Background:

Prior research has shown that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) contribute to gut health through various mechanisms. Established knowledge includes the role of LAB in inhibiting pathogen growth and modulating digestion. However, the full scope of their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects remains unclear. This gap motivated researchers to explore the broader probiotic potential of LAB. No prior work had resolved the extent of their adjuvant effects on immune responses. The safety profile of LAB has been established through clinical trials, but their therapeutic applications remain underexplored. The emergence of antibiotic resistance and immunocompromised populations has increased the need for alternative treatments. This paper's contribution lies in synthesizing evidence on LAB's antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties.

Purpose Of The Study:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the gastrointestinal tract. The specific problem addressed is the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. The motivation stems from rising antibiotic resistance and the limitations of synthetic drugs. Researchers sought to clarify the antimicrobial mechanisms of LAB against enteric pathogens. They also aimed to assess the impact of LAB on digestion and immune function. The study sought to determine the safety and efficacy of LAB in human trials. The broader goal is to explore LAB as a prophylactic and therapeutic tool. This work seeks to inform future applications of probiotic LAB in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

The study synthesizes evidence from multiple sources, including clinical trials and in vitro experiments. Researchers analyzed the antimicrobial activity of LAB against various pathogens. They examined enzyme production and its effects on digestion and absorption. The role of LAB in modulating immune responses was evaluated through cytokine and interleukin pathways. Data from 143 human clinical trials were reviewed to assess safety and tolerability. The study also considered the epidemiological correlation between diet and cancer. Researchers evaluated the potential antitumor effects of LAB through mutagen inhibition and enzyme suppression. The review approach focused on integrating findings from microbiology, immunology, and clinical nutrition.

Main Results:

The strongest finding is that LAB inhibit the growth of several enteric pathogens through antimicrobial mechanisms. LAB release enzymes that improve digestion and reduce malabsorption symptoms. The study found that LAB may elicit antitumor effects by suppressing carcinogen formation. Immune modulation was observed through cytokine activation and interleukin regulation. Clinical trials showed no adverse effects in 7,526 subjects across 143 studies. The safety profile of LAB was confirmed over a 37-year period from 1961 to 1998. The study suggests that LAB may suppress tumors and reduce mutagenic activity. These findings support the potential of LAB as a prophylactic and therapeutic tool.

Conclusions:

The authors propose that LAB have significant antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. They suggest that LAB may serve as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobials. The study concludes that LAB are safe and well-tolerated in human trials. The findings support the use of LAB in preventing pathogen adherence and promoting digestion. The authors suggest that LAB may reduce cancer risk through multiple mechanisms. They propose that LAB could be used in immunocompromised populations. The study highlights the need to explore LAB's prophylactic and therapeutic applications. These conclusions are based on synthesized evidence from clinical and experimental data.

Lactic acid bacteria inhibit pathogen growth, improve digestion, and modulate immune responses.

They may suppress tumors by inhibiting mutagenic activity and reducing carcinogen formation.

Trials confirm safety and tolerability in 7,526 subjects over 37 years with no adverse effects.

LAB activate cytokine pathways and regulate interleukins and tumor necrosis factors.

They release enzymes that alleviate symptoms of intestinal malabsorption.

They suggest using LAB as a prophylactic and therapeutic tool in clinical settings.