Gastrointestinal tract probiotics

Probiotic bacteria differ on the basis of genus, species, and strains. Indeed, strains of the same species vary widely in traits such as expression of enzymes, types of inhibitors produced, carbohydrate fermentation patterns, resistance to acid and bile, ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract, and clinical efficacy (Berg, 1996 Norat et al., 2002). Furthermore, the active principle has not always been associated with live bacteria, as some immune system modulation activities and macromolecular degradation have been linked to nonviable bacterial components such as enzyme activities or fermentation products (Huttner and Bevins, 1999). 

Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria has received remarkable attention because of its growing and promising potential against many diseases."- This technique has the potential to be a useful tool in improving the survival of probiotics over the course of the gastrointestinal tract protecting probiotic bacteria cells, or other therapeutic live cells, for oral delivery from the harsh acid conditions and delivering them with improved survival rate. ... 

The cellulose acetate phthalate, xanthan gum, starch, and gelatin" were incorporated into alginate microcapsules, showing potential for improvement of probiotic survival during their passage through the gastrointestinal tract. 

Chitosan is a linear polysaccharide, which is typically used to form coating layers on preformed systems. For example, probiotics encapsulated in an alginate matrix, and further coated with a layer of chitosan, are characterized by an improved protection in the gastrointestinal tract, which enable them to reach with high viability the colon. The main disadvantage of chitosan is an observed inhibitory effect on LAB. 

From the analysis of the data reported in Table 37.6, it is evident that the consolidation of the outer layer of the encapsulation system, carried out through gelation or cross-linking processes, is a fundamental step not only toward the improvement of viability preservation but also toward the controlled release of the probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract. 

The improvement of the CLA snpply of humans can be achieved via CLA-pro-ducing strains. Formation of CLA can be accomplished during the preparation of the food product via dairy cultures, but this process could also be amplified in the human gastrointestinal tract with the administration of probiotics. Recently, a number of... 

DENEV s, STAYKOV Y, MOUTAFCHIEVA R and BEEV G (2009) Microbial ecology of the gastrointestinal tract of fish and the potential apphcation of probiotics and pre-biotics in finfish aquaculture, IntAquat Res, 1,1-29. 

Human origin a probiotic strain isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is believed to be safer for human consumption and more effective in its adapted intestinal ecosystem. 

Probiotics are health-promoting bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Useful bacteria, inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, play a significant role in the splitting of nutrients through their enzymatic activities they synthesize amino acids, vitamins, and promote the assimilation of nutrients. A comprehensive overview of probiotics has recently appeared (Holzapfel et al., 1998). 

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