Use Of Probiotics Research Articles

Background: The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of commercial broiler farmers regarding poultry nutrition and health management have a significant impact on the productivity and sustainability of poultry farming. This study was conducted between June and August 2022, involving a total of 150 farms- 75 each from the districts of Kathmandu and Rupandehi in Nepal. Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed to assess farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to nutrition and health management in commercial broiler farming. Results: The findings reveal that only 30% of respondents had received training in poultry farming practices, while 73.3% relied on poultry farming as their primary source of income. Despite 56.67% acknowledging good government policies on nutritional feeding, 60% reported inappropriate antimicrobial use in feed formulation. Similarly, 60% admitted to adding antimicrobials to feed at any time to prevent illness in birds. Furthermore, 76.67% admitted to skipping one or two doses of prescribed medication. The study also found that 46.67% of respondents believed that routine feed was sufficient for poultry, while 36.67% thought that the use of probiotics and feed supplements was equivalent. Additionally, 46.67% of respondents added feed additives when birds failed to reach average weight. Likewise, 40% agreed on using probiotics and feed supplements at any age. Although all respondents were aware of who is authorized to prescribe medications, only 73.3% consulted veterinarians. Conclusion: The study identifies significant gaps between knowledge and practice, particularly in areas such as antimicrobial resistance, feed management, and disease prevention. These findings highlight the need for effective training and targeted policy interventions. The results will help inform educational programs for farmers, aiming to standardize production practices and support the sustainable growth of both the farming community and the poultry industry in Nepal.

IntroductionConsidering the crucial role of the gut microbiome in children’s immunity and overall health, there is increasing interest in the use of probiotics for children. Insufficient parental awareness may result in the underuse of probiotics in appropriate clinical situations, improper strain selection, incorrect therapy duration, and overlooking potential drug interactions, all of which can undermine their efficacy and safety. Therefore, this study aimed to assess parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding probiotic use in preschool-aged children in Serbia, along with the factors influencing these aspects.Materials and methodsThe study was conducted using an anonymous electronic survey distributed via social media to parents of children aged 1–7 years in Serbia. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with parental knowledge and attitudes toward probiotic use.ResultsThe study included 1,625 parents. The median knowledge score of all respondents was 7.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 6–8), while the median attitude score was 26.0 (IQR: 23–29), based on their respective scales (0–10 for knowledge and 7–35 for attitude) with significant differences (p < 0.001) between parents who used probiotics for their preschool children in the past year (62.5%) and those who did not (37.5%). The most common indications for probiotic use were alongside antibiotic therapy reported by 75.2% of parents, and for gastrointestinal issues, stated by 69.3% of parents. Parents showed the least knowledge about the strain-specific effects of probiotics and their interactions with medications. Although overall attitudes were moderately positive, approximately 50% of parents expressed doubts about probiotic efficacy. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher parental education, occupation related to health care, longer duration of probiotic use, and consideration of probiotic strain selection significantly increased the odds of having adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward probiotics.ConclusionThe study revealed that the majority of parents lack adequate knowledge about probiotics and exhibit some skepticism regarding their effectiveness, which is reflected in their practical use for their children. Therefore, the role of healthcare professionals and pediatricians is crucial in educating parents about probiotics, offering guidance on their benefits, proper usage, and the selection of the most appropriate products.

Tailoring the biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease using a gut microbiome-centric approach: Preclinical, clinical, and regulatory perspectives.

Can Probiotics Influence Adaptive Thermogenesis Induced by Continuous Energy Restriction after a 12-Week Intervention in Adult Males Living with Obesity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial (São Paulo Clinical Study of Obesity and Intestinal Microbiota).

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 823 health science students to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of health science students regarding honey as a prebiotic and yoghurt as a probiotic, using an online questionnaire. Prebiotics and probiotics offer health benefits for the digestive system, respiratory health, and immune system, and healthcare providers should be well-informed to advise patients effectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. The results reveal significant differences in knowledge and practices across gender, geographical location, and smoking status. Females consistently outperformed males, with higher scores in knowledge assessment (3.9 vs. 3.4), practices and usage (3.7 vs. 3.1), awareness and attitudes (4.2 vs. 3.6), comparative perception (3.9 vs. 3.3), and recommendations (4.0 vs. 3.5). The data indicates that honey (39.5%) is the most preferred natural remedy for respiratory health among Saudi healthcare students, followed by yoghurt (26.9%). In comparison, 22.7% consider both equally beneficial. Using the Chi-square test (χ²) to determine statistical significance and Cramér’s V to measure effect size, the study found that 45.9% of participants demonstrated high knowledge of honey’s health benefits, with males (48.2%) exhibiting slightly greater awareness than females (44.2%). The findings indicated that healthcare students in Saudi Arabia have good knowledge about probiotics. A structured and inclusive health education approach can increase acceptance of natural health solutions, improving respiratory health outcomes across various populations. The study suggests that educational interventions on prebiotics and probiotics should be incorporated into health programs to help students manage respiratory health using safe, natural therapies.

BackgroundThe comparative effectiveness and potential impact of individual proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the development of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remain unclear. Additionally, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of probiotics for CDI prevention outside clinical trials. This study aimed to identify the PPIs that are most associated with CDI development and to determine whether probiotic co-administration can reduce this risk.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the data of 3287 patients tested for CDI at Mie University Hospital between January 2014 and June 2024, excluding 1917 patients who had received antibiotics within the prior 3 months. The PPIs studied included esomeprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, and lansoprazole.ResultsUnivariate logistic regression analysis revealed age and esomeprazole use as potential risk factors for CDI (p = 0.009). Although not significant, the co-administration of probiotics tended to reduce the incidence of CDI in patients receiving esomeprazole (3.8% vs 10.4%, p = 0.060). Patients prescribed vonoprazan had a significantly higher rate of concomitant probiotic use than did those prescribed esomeprazole (p = 0.025).ConclusionOur findings suggest that esomeprazole use and advanced age may increase the risk of CDI. Additionally, probiotics may help prevent CDI during PPI therapy. Selecting PPIs based on individual bleeding profiles and considering probiotics could be beneficial to mitigate the risk of CDI.

Limited management strategies exist for cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis (OM). We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) probiotic to prevent and reduce the severity of OM in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). Patients ≥ 21 years requiring head and neck RT of ≥ 60 Gy and those undergoing concurrent chemotherapy with RT (CCRT) with no prior OM were recruited. OM incidence and severity were assessed weekly from baseline to two weeks post-RT. Oral samples were collected at baseline and study mid-point to profile microbiome changes. Overall, no significant differences in OM incidence or severity (grade ≥ 3) were observed between LR and placebo groups. However, subgroup analyses of participants who received RT-only showed significantly lower mean OM scores (-0.42; 95% CI: -0.75, -0.09; p = 0.02) over time in the LR probiotic group. Beta diversity of the oral microbiome was significantly different between the RT-only probiotic and placebo groups (PERMANOVA: F = 1.77; R2 = 0.07; p = 0.025). No serious adverse effects were observed in the LR group. LR probiotic use was safe and associated with a reduced OM incidence and severity in RT-only participants. These findings are promising and provide important insights for future studies in larger cohorts. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03552458.

Brucellosis, a chronic intracellular infection caused by Brucella spp., remains therapeutically challenging due to antimicrobial resistance and frequent relapse. Probiotic microorganisms produce antimicrobial proteins-including bacteriocins and thermostable peptides-that inhibit pathogen viability, modulate host immunity, and attenuate oxidative damage. In murine models, therapeutic administration of Lactobacillus-based probiotics reduced Brucella infection index by 58.75%, while prophylactic use yielded a 25% reduction. Co-treatment with rifampicin eliminated residual infection, outperforming antibiotics alone. Experimental and clinical data suggest probiotics enhance antioxidant markers-e.g., lower malondialdehyde and higher total glutathione-while modulating cytokine profiles toward Th1-skewed immunity, with increased IFN-γ and regulated IL-10. Pediatric trials report faster symptom resolution and improved oxidative balance under probiotic co-administration. Additionally, mucosal vaccines vectored by probiotic strains elicit strong IgA/IgG titers and T-cell responses, targeting Brucella antigens such as Omp16, Omp31, and SOD. Given the limitations of current antibiotic regimens and rising antimicrobial resistance, probiotic-based approaches could offer a promising adjunctive strategy. Despite preclinical promise, no phase III trials exist evaluating probiotic-antibiotic synergy in human brucellosis. Future directions include standardized strain selection, mechanistic optimization, and multicenter randomized trials to enable clinical translation of probiotic-protein therapeutics in brucellosis.

IntroductionAquaculture is globally recognized as an effective means of supporting economic growth and livelihood security. However, the sector continues to fall short of projected production targets due to the use of low-quality inputs and inadequate culture techniques. The use of probiotics in aquaculture has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to enhance fish growth and immune responses. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with a multistrain probiotic combination—Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactococcus lactis—on growth performance, immune parameters, and gut microbiota in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).MethodsFish were fed either a basal diet or an experimental diet containing L. mesenteroides a 95 nd L. lactis at 106 CFU/g for 8 weeks.Results and discussionThe probiotic-supplemented group showed significant improvements in feed utilization, alternative complement pathway activity, lactic acid bacterial populations, mucus secretion, and peroxidase activity compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Serum lysozyme activity was also significantly higher in the probiotic-fed group. Furthermore, fish receiving the supplemented diet exhibited superior growth metrics, including weight gain, final body weight, and specific growth rate (p < 0.05). Enhanced superoxide dismutase activity was also observed in the probiotic group. These results suggest that dietary inclusion of L. mesenteroides and L. lactis may serve as an effective immunostimulant feed additive for African catfish aquaculture.

The complex relationship between the gut microbiome and immune system development during infancy is thought to be a key factor in the rising rates of pediatric allergic diseases. Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (AP), the earliest identified form of non-IgE-mediated food allergy in infants, occurs at the mucosal surface where dietary proteins, intestinal microbes, and immune cells directly interact, and increases the risk for life threatening IgE-mediated food allergy, making it an important model for understanding early food allergic disease development. The question of how specific microbial compositions and functional pathways contribute to AP development and progression remains poorly understood.Here we show that infants with AP exhibit microbial compositions that differ from unaffected controls, characterized by enrichment of Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium bifidum during early life, including pre-symptomatic stages, while protective species like Bifidobacterium breve and Klebsiella species are more abundant in unaffected controls. Strain-level analyses uncovered additional disease-linked patterns, particularly Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains showed strong association with probiotic use and predominantly found in infants with AP. These findings reveal disease-associated microbial signatures that can sometimes be detectable before clinical symptoms emerge, and demonstrate that strain-level differences within E. coli populations may represent AP-specific lineages with distinct gene content profiles that were not previously recognized. Genes for biofilm formation and cell adhesion in E. coli, for example, were particularly enriched in AP-associated clades. Short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and other functional pathways were also associated with AP, including reduced SCFA production during the symptomatic phase, and then a potentially compensatory increased production following AP resolution.Our results provide the first comprehensive strain-level characterization of the gut microbiome in AP, and functional implications, and establish a foundation for future efforts to identify early microbial biomarkers and potential interventional targets for AP. This work advances our understanding of how specific microbial taxa and functional pathways may contribute to non-IgE-mediated food allergies and opens new avenues for microbiome-targeted therapeutic approaches as well as novel prevention targets for IgE-mediated food allergies

BackgroundThe gut microbiota plays a crucial role in neonatal defense against pathogens, immune training, nutrient absorption, and postnatal disease development.MethodsWe prospectively collected fecal samples from 58 very low birth weight infants and 34 preterm infants with birth weights > 1500 g during their first two postnatal months. Using 16SrRNA sequencing, we characterize the compositional dynamics of gut microbiota in very low birth weight infants during early postnatal development, and evaluate potential associations with clinical factors.ResultsIn the very low birth weight infants group (experimental group), a total of 45 bacterial phyla and 1,327 genera were identified. The top two dominant phyla were Proteobacteria (65.64%) and Firmicutes (29.64%), accounting for 95.28% collectively. Among the dominant phyla, the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.001) and Firmicutes (P = 0.018) compared to the control group, whereas Acidobacteria (P < 0.001), Proteobacteria (P < 0.001), Fusobacteria (P = 0.001), Chloroflexi (P = 0.018), and Patescibacteria (P = 0.006) were significantly lower. The top 10 dominant genera represented 91.9% of the total. At the genus level, the experimental group had significantly higher abundances of Klebsiella (P = 0.016), Streptococcus (P < 0.001), Corynebacterium_1 (P < 0.001), Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (P = 0.018), Clostridioides (P = 0.013), Staphylococcus (P < 0.001), and Lactobacillus (P = 0.001), while Escherichia_Shigella, Sphingomonas (P = 0.013), Veillonella (P = 0.037), Methylobacterium (P = 0.021), and Enterobacter (P = 0.029) were significantly lower compared to controls. Additionally, during the first 28 days after birth, the control group exhibited higher relative abundance of Bifidobacterium than the experimental group. Compared to preterm infants with birth weight > 1500 g, very low birth weight infants demonstrated more active intestinal metabolism. Within the very low birth weight infants, probiotic use, delivery mode, and premature rupture of membranes significantly influenced the relative abundances of Streptococcus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Pseudomonas, respectively.ConclusionsVery low birth weight infants exhibit distinct gut microbiota characteristics during their first two months of life. Factors including probiotic using, delivery mode, and premature rupture of membranes significantly influence specific bacterial populations. The gut microbiome represents a crucial influencing the health outcomes of very low birth weight infants.

The Role of Gut Microbiome in Psychiatric Disorders

Poultry is a vital component of global meat production, with particular importance in Nigeria and Africa, as it promotes food security, economic growth, and rural livelihoods. Indigenous chickens, although less productive, are well adapted to local environments and provide significant socio-economic and nutritional benefits. The rising demand for animal protein and concerns over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitate the development of sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in poultry production. Probiotics have emerged as effective feed additives that enhance gut health, immunity, nutrient absorption, and overall productivity. While extensively studied in commercial poultry, research on probiotics in Nigerian Indigenous Ecotype Chickens (NIECs) remains limited. Key challenges in indigenous poultry systems include low productivity, disease vulnerability, limited veterinary access, and environmental pressures. Addressing these requires improved management practices, infrastructure, veterinary support, and enabling policies. Multi-strain probiotics, particularly those containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus species, demonstrate promise in enhancing productivity, improving product quality, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring food safety. Focused research on local probiotic strains, field trials, farmer education, and policy support is crucial for harnessing the full benefits of probiotics and transforming indigenous poultry farming into a resilient and sustainable sector.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of probiotic interventions in managing chemotherapy-induced complications among patients with leukemia, providing evidence-based insights for clinical decision-making. Studies in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were comprehensively searched up to March 5, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotic use with conventional care in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. The included studies examined all possible chemotherapy-related adverse effects without selective outcome reporting. Data synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 15.0. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence for each outcome. Eight RCTs encompassing 753 participants were analyzed. Compared with conventional care, probiotics significantly reduced constipation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.30-1.24, P < 0.05), nausea (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.41-0.63], P < 0.00001), chemotherapy-induced diarrhea (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.26-0.57], P < 0.00001), bloating (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.20-0.76, P = 0.006), vomiting (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.39-0.98, P = 0.04), and indigestion (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31-0.95, P = 0.03). Notable improvements were observed in procalcitonin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Evidence quality was high for most outcomes, with moderate ratings for dyspepsia, constipation, and vomiting. In conclusion, probiotic supplementation appears to moderately alleviate chemotherapy-induced complications in patients with leukemia. Nevertheless, because of limitations such as small sample sizes and potential data variability, further validation through large-scale RCTs is necessary.

Bovine mastitis is an important economic and public health issue of the milk sector which leads to reduction in milk-production, quality, and increased culling rates. The main causative is Staphylococcus aureus because this microorganism has ability to produce the virulence factors like hemolysins. However, these factors enhance defense against host immune system and produce antibiotic resistance because the antibiotic agents are frequently used and also the antibiotic residues may be remained in the milk which is a major publish health concern. This issue can be counteracted by alternative such as probiotics. Therefore, this review focuses on the utilization of probiotics against Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and product the mammary glands from commensal and colonizing to disease. it highlights how probiotics interfere against pathogenesis such as; biofilm production, hemolysins, adhesion, invasion into mammary epithelial cells, and quorum-sensing signaling, all of which are pivotal for colonization. Ultimately, probiotics proves advantageous in treating and preventing bovine mastitis, potentially contributing to an extended disease-free period and reduce the frequent use of antibiotics. The aims of this study are to systematically summarize the mechanisms by which probiotics counteract Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors, evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of bovine mastitis and provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics in the dairy industry.

(1) Background: The goal of the present study was to evaluate whether the supplementation with a multi-species probiotic in the diet of laying hens can change the microbiota and health status of the oviduct. (2) Methods: A total of 60 cages housing lightweight laying hens (36 weeks old) were randomly assigned to the following two different treatments: a control group fed a diet without probiotic, and a treatment group receiving diets supplemented with 50 g/ton of probiotics. The trial lasted for 26 weeks, after which five layers were slaughtered per treatment for oviduct (magnum) assessment, focusing on microbiome composition, oxidant and antioxidant status, and morphological analyses. Additionally, intestinal (jejunum) samples were collected to determine oxidant and antioxidant status. (3) Results: Probiotic supplementation resulted in lower counts of organisms from the RB41 order (p = 0.039) and Burkholderia genus (p = 0.017), and a total reduction in Bacillus and Corynebacterium (p = 0.050) compared to the control treatment. Genera Burkholderia (p = 0.017), Corynebacterium (p = 0.050), and Bacillus (p = 0.050) were also lower with the probiotic supplementation in relation to the control. Genera Epulopiscium (p = 0.089), Flavobacterium (p = 0.100), Ruminococcus (p = 0.089), and Staphylococcus (p = 0.100) tended to be lower in the probiotic group compared to the control. No significant differences were found between treatments for oviduct lesions. Probiotic treatment resulted in a higher protein thiol level in the intestine compared to the control (p &lt; 0.001). However, the use of probiotics tended to reduce glutathione S-transferase levels in the oviduct compared to the control (p = 0.068). (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that dietary supplementation with probiotics can modulate the oviduct microbiota and improve the antioxidant status of laying hens, without causing tissue damage. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications of these changes on reproductive performance and egg quality.

Vaginal dysbiosis is linked to recurrent infections and reproductive complications. Probiotics may restore vaginal microbiota, but there is modest evidence to support vaginal colonization after oral administration. This work aimed to screen a vaginal lactobacilli collection (n = 45) and assess vaginal colonization of selected candidates. Lactobacillus gasseri CECT 30648 (Lg) and Lactobacillus crispatus CECT 30647 (Lc) showed excellent in vitro attributes, including antagonism against 10 urogenital pathogens, resistance to gastrointestinal tract and vaginal environment-including high concentrations of biogenic amines-and adhesion to vaginal epithelium. Forty-eight healthy women (18-45 years old) were randomly allocated to consume daily a capsule containing Lg (109 CFU), a combination of Lg plus Lc (1.5 × 109 CFU), or placebo for up to 18 days (between menses). Volunteers collected vaginal samples every 3 days. The primary endpoint was the presence of probiotic strains in vaginal swabs confirmed by strain-specific quantitative PCR. Secondary variables included vaginal microbiota composition and tolerability, among others. Probiotics were well tolerated. Lg but not Lc was detected in 55.9% of participants in active groups (9 in Lg and 10 in Lg + Lc) throughout the study (P = 0.005 aggregated probiotic groups vs placebo). The sum of relative abundances of non-lactobacilli genera was significantly reduced in the probiotic group after intervention (P = 0.047 vs day 0), and there was a positive transition toward lactobacilli-dominated community state types (P = 0.039 vs day 0). Overall, we show that L. gasseri CECT 30648 exerts a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and can colonize the vaginal tract of healthy women, thus showing potential to promote vaginal health. The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05688397).IMPORTANCEThe use of probiotics to promote vaginal health is increasing because vaginal dysbiosis has been linked to numerous gynecological and reproductive complications. While vaginal administration of probiotics using devices or creams has been widely investigated, there is limited evidence supporting vaginal colonization of a probiotic administered orally. It is therefore imperative to perform extensive in vitro characterization to select a vaginal probiotic that can survive the gastrointestinal transit and effectively colonize the vaginal tract of consumers through the oral-gut-vaginal route. We have identified the strain L. gasseri CECT 30648, which shows great probiotic properties, including antagonism against several relevant urogenital pathogens, can colonize the vaginal tract of >55% of participants, and can modulate vaginal microbiota toward a lactobacillus-dominated status in a randomized controlled clinical trial in healthy premenopausal women. These results suggest that oral consumption of L. gasseri CECT 30648 might be effective in promoting vaginal health.

This study aims to determine the effect of adding EM4 probiotics in various doses to commercial feed on the growth of jatimbulan tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L). Probiotics are known to play a role in increasing digestive efficiency, nutrient absorption, and maintaining the health of the fish's digestive tract, so they are expected to support optimal growth. The research method used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments, namely: P0 (control/without probiotics), P1 (5 ml EM4/kg feed), P2 (7 ml EM4/kg feed), and P3 (11 ml EM4/kg feed), each with four replications. The parameters observed were the growth in length and weight of jatimbulan tilapia during the maintenance period. The results showed that the administration of EM4 probiotics at certain doses was able to provide a significant effect on the growth of tilapia compared to the control treatment. Treatment P2 (7 ml/kg feed) provided the best growth results compared to other doses, both in terms of increasing length and body weight. Meanwhile, administering probiotic doses that are too low (P1) or too high (P3) tends to be less effective in supporting optimal growth. This is thought to be due to the disruption of the microbial balance in the digestive tract when the probiotic dosage is incorrect. This research provides useful information for Jatimbulan tilapia cultivation practices, particularly regarding the use of probiotics to increase growth efficiency. Using the correct probiotic dosage can be a strategy to increase the productivity and sustainability of freshwater fish farming.

Research background. Human milk is enriched with bioactive molecules and beneficial bacteria that contribute to shaping the newborn's microbiota. In this study, we aimed to evaluate lactic acid bacteria strains isolated from human milk of healthy Croatian women as potential functional starter cultures. Experimental approach. In order to define novel potential probiotics for use in dairy products, eight lactobacilli strains were analysed for their proteolytic, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity as well as their survival rate during freeze-drying. Results and conclusions. Based on the results obtained, the exopolysaccharide-producing Limosilactobacillus fermentum MC1, the surface (S)-layer-producing Levilactobacillus brevis MB2 and the plantaricin-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MB18 strains are candidates for the production of fermented dairy products with potential functional and nutritional relevance for the host. The selected strains exerted high casein degradation capacity, a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity and a promising 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate radical scavenging activity. They also fulfilled the primary technological criterion by having a high survival rate during freeze-drying. Novelty and scientific contribution. The data presented emphasise the importance of human milk as a valuable source of lactic acid bacteria with unique technological and functional properties, which are important both as a basis for scientific research and for the development of novel starter cultures for functional products.

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) complaints are prevalent among athletes and can have a significant impact on performance, particularly in endurance athletes. Possessing greater nutrition knowledge and effectively applying it may play an important role in optimising an athlete’s performance. Despite this, there is a paucity of research regarding GI experiences, sports nutritional knowledge (SNK) and any reciprocal relationship in elite sport. The aim of this study was to design a novel questionnaire to assess the relationship between common GI complaints, GI health, and SNK in elite athletes, sports nutritionists/dietitians and/or coaches in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The study further explored attitudes and practices regarding diet, supplementation, and training practices to gain a comprehensive understanding of potential causative factors to GI distress. This study developed and administered a novel questionnaire, the ‘Dietary Information for Gut Endurance Sport Testing’ (DIGEST) questionnaire to 400 elite athletes and their coaching staff from various sporting backgrounds across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Participant demographics included a balance of genders, a range of ages from 18 to 65 years, and representation from individual and team sports to ensure diverse athletic disciplines were covered. The cross-sectional questionnaire assessed GI complaints, sports nutrition knowledge (SNK), probiotic usage, dietary practices, and exercise workload. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and independent sample t tests, were employed to examine associations between these variables, providing insights into the interplay between diet, supplementation, and gastrointestinal health in elite sports settings. Among the 400 participants, 35.5% (n = 142) reported being diagnosed with a GI condition. The most prevalent condition was stomach cramps, affecting 27% (n = 108) of respondents. During physical activities, 213 athletes experienced GI complaints, with 45.5% (n = 97) reporting symptoms pre-exercise and 38.7% (n = 82) post-exercise. Specific sports showed varying levels of GI complaints, with endurance sports such as triathlons and distance running exhibiting higher rates. The study found no significant correlation between SNK scores and GI complaints (p = 0.13), though a substantial number of participants demonstrated suboptimal SNK scores, with athletes averaging 59% and coaches 58%. Sex-based analysis revealed no significant differences in SNK scores, although females tended to score slightly higher in certain sports. GI complaints are prevalent among elite athletes, particularly in endurance sports, with significant symptoms reported both pre- and post-exercise. Despite the lack of a significant relationship between SNK and GI complaints, improving SNK remains essential for overall athlete health and performance. Targeted nutritional education and intervention strategies are needed to manage GI complaints and enhance athlete performance.