Probiotic Food Supplements Research Articles

Silica‐coated La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 nanoparticles for magnetically driven DNA isolation

Magnetic La(0.75)Sr(0.25)MnO(3) nanoparticles possessing an approximately 20-nm-thick silica shell (LSMO(0.25)@SiO(2) ) were characterised and tested for the isolation of PCR-ready bacterial DNA. The results presented here show that the nanoparticles do not interfere in PCR. DNA was apparently reversibly adsorbed on their silica shell from the aqueous phase system (16% PEG 6000-2 M NaCl). The method proposed was used for DNA isolation from complex food samples (dairy products and probiotic food supplements). The isolated DNA was compatible with PCR. The main advantages of the nanoparticles tested for routine use were their high colloidal stability allowing a more precise dosage and therefore high reproducibility of DNA isolation.

National survey outcomes on commercial probiotic food supplements in Italy

To assess whether the probiotic food supplements, produced and distributed on the Italian market during 2005–2006, complied with the Italian Guidelines on Prebiotics and Probiotics, 72 samples from 29 processing plants were analyzed. The survey included 41 samples from processing plants and 31 samples of the same brand from retailers collected at timed intervals (3, 8 and 13 months). A polyphasic approach based on a suitable analytical collection method (genotypic identification of total bacteria – differential presumptive enumeration – genotypic identification of viable bacteria) was adopted to identify and quantify the microorganisms labelled and recovered from the probiotic supplements examined. Most supplements analyzed (87%) did not conform to the Italian guidelines and the differences were both quantitative and qualitative (number determination, purity, types and viability of microorganisms). Even though most labelled supplements (25 samples) indicated the presence of Bifidobacterium bifidum, this organism was only detected sporadically and always as dead cells. Unexpected results were obtained during our survey due to the absence of viability of Bacillus coagulans spores in some labelled supplements. Besides this, some of these supplements also contained other spore-forming species, identified as B. cereus that are toxin producing. We have also documented a widespread use of misclassified microbial species or species with fictitious names. The main factors involved in the absence of compliance were examined and the poor quality control applied by manufacturers was emphasized.

Allergen-free Probiotics

Food sensitivities are constantly increasing in "westernized" countries and may pose serious health risks to sensitized individuals. Severe allergy episodes have also been reported after the intake of probiotic products containing milk protein residues, especially in children. The need for safe and effective probiotic strains and food supplements, which contain them, is now emerging clearly. The present work describes the way of achieving this aim by the avoidance of any kind of raw materials at risk, both in probiotic strain industrial manufacturing and finished product formulation. Allergen-free probiotics represent, without any doubt, an innovative and safe tool for human health.

Probiotic food supplement reduces stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms in volunteers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

Stress plays an important role in the development of symptoms contributing to disease. Stress induces various disorders with gastrointestinal, physical, and psychological symptoms. Probiotics can help regulate or modulate gastrointestinal functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a probiotic preparation (Probio-Stick) on stress-induced symptoms in volunteers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was conducted on volunteers with symptoms of stress. Subjects received a probiotic (Probio-Stick; Lallemand SAS, Saint-Simon, France) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 (3 x 10(9) colony-forming units per sachet stick) or a sensorially identical placebo without probiotics during a 3-week period. The consumption of probiotics significantly reduced 2 stress-induced gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and nausea/vomiting) for intention-to-treat or per-protocol populations. In contrast, the probiotics did not significantly modify the other physical and psychological symptoms and sleep problems induced by stressful life events for intention-to-treat or per-protocol populations. The results indicate that Probio-Stick can provide a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by individuals affected by chronic stress.

Referee analysis of probiotic food supplements

The Government Chemist (GC) in the UK has been required by statute to act in cases of dispute between traders and UK regulators for over 130 years. This paper describes a case related to probiotic food supplements and the manner in which work was organised to ensure that test results were provided by expert laboratories in such a way that they would be fit for use in court. Four samples of ‘probiotic’ foods had been alleged to be not of the quality demanded by the purchaser, contrary to section 14 of the UK Food Safety Act 1990, an allegation which had been disputed by the trader. The GC appointed London Metropolitan University (LMET) to carry out the work on his behalf. LMET reported that three of the samples (Acidophilus) were deficient of putative probiotic bacteria from the numbers claimed to be present on the label of the food. The retailer, on receipt of the results reported by the GC, accepted that these products were not stable after production and ceased all orders. The manufacturer stopped production and reformulated the product. The retailer stated that they will accept new batches of this product only on a positive release basis after analysis using a method developed by LMET for a Food Standards Agency (FSA) project. The product has been reformulated and re-marketed and was only reinstated after post-production stability was proven. The other sample (‘Sensitive Colon Support’, containing Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus) was reported as satisfactory, but this work showed that there was reliability problems with some of the methods in common use in laboratories. The laboratories concerned have been informed so that suitable validated methods may be used in future. The FSA protocol has been accepted by all laboratories involved, which should help prevent further disputes in this area.

Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: Has the time arrived?

Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: Has the time arrived?

Effect of a Probiotic Infant Formula on Infections in Child Care Centers: Comparison of Two Probiotic Agents

To investigate the effect of 2 different species of probiotics in preventing infections in infants attending child care centers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted from December 1, 2000, to September 30, 2002, at 14 child care centers in the Beer-Sheva area of Israel in healthy term infants 4 to 10 months old. Infants were assigned randomly to formula supplemented with Bifidobacterium lactis (BB-12), Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection 55730), or no probiotics. Duration of feeding, including follow-up, for each participant was 12 weeks. All infants were fed only the assigned formula and were not breastfed due to parental decision before recruitment to the study. Probiotic or prebiotic food products or supplements were not allowed. Main outcome measures were number of days and number of episodes with fever (>38 degrees C) and number of days and number of episodes with diarrhea or respiratory illness. Participants (n = 201) were similar regarding gestational age, birth weight, gender, and previous breastfeeding. The controls (n = 60), compared with those fed B lactis (n = 73) or L reuteri (n = 68), had significantly more febrile episodes (mean [95% confidence interval]: 0.41 [0.28-0.54] vs 0.27 [0.17-0.37] vs 0.11 [0.04-0.18], respectively). The controls also had more diarrhea episodes (0.31 [0.22-0.40] vs 0.13 [0.05-0.21] vs 0.02 [0.01-0.05], respectively) and episodes of longer duration (0.59 [0.34-0.84] vs 0.37 [0.08-0.66] vs 0.15 [0.12-0.18] days, respectively). The L reuteri group, compared with BB-12 or controls, had a significant decrease of number of days with fever, clinic visits, child care absences, and antibiotic prescriptions. Rate and duration of respiratory illnesses did not differ significantly between groups. Child care infants fed a formula supplemented with L reuteri or B lactis had fewer and shorter episodes of diarrhea, with no effect on respiratory illnesses. These effects were more prominent with L reuteri, which was also the only supplement to improve additional morbidity parameters.