Chapter 15 - Bacillus Species—Elucidating the Dilemma on Their Probiotic and Pathogenic Traits

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Bacterial spore formers are used as probiotic supplements for use in animal feeds, as well as in approved medicines for human nutritional supplements over the last decade. But most of the probiotics commonly used are based on lactic acid bacteria, primarily Enterococcus sp. and that of Lactobacillus sp. Multiple Bacillus sp. are desirable for use as probiotic supplements because of their ability to produce spores. Their heat stability and tolerability to the gastric barrier make them advantageous as dietary supplements making them superior over other probiotic microorganisms and this application is now being sought. This chapter summarizes the current uses of Bacillus sp. as probiotics, their safety, possible mode of action, health benefits, as well as their commercial applications.