Probiotic Characteristics and Applications of Lactic Acid Bacteria

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a diverse group of Gram-positive, acid-tolerant microbes renowned for their roles in fermented foods and as probiotics. Key probiotic attributes include resistance to gastric acidity and bile salts, adhesion to intestinal or mucosal surfaces, and the ability to modulate host immunity. LAB exert beneficial effects through competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of antimicrobial compounds such as organic acids and bacteriocins, and synthesis of health-promoting metabolites including exopolysaccharides. Safety assessment centres on the absence of transferable antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. Applications span functional foods, adjunctive therapies for gastrointestinal disorders, and biocontrol strategies in animal husbandry. Recent advances have harnessed omics technologies to unravel strain-specific interactions with the host and gut microbiota, driving the selection of bespoke probiotic formulations. Foci of current research include enhancement of mucosal barrier function, mitigation of dysbiosis-related inflammation, and optimisation of industrial processes for large-scale production. The global significance of LAB probiotics is underlined by their potential to reduce antibiotic use in livestock, support metabolic health, and contribute to sustainable food systems through natural preservation and bioactive compound production.

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Probiotic Characteristics and Applications of Lactic Acid Bacteria publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in probiotic characteristics and applications of lactic acid bacteria across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Probiotic: Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

Bacteriocin: Ribosomally synthesised antimicrobial peptide produced by bacteria that inhibits closely related species or pathogens.

Exopolysaccharide: High-molecular-weight polysaccharide secreted by microbes, contributing to biofilm formation and immunomodulation.

Autoaggregation: The self-adhesion of bacterial cells, facilitating colonisation and biofilm structuring.

Co-aggregation: Adhesion between different microbial strains, promoting pathogen exclusion and microbial community stability.

Bile Salt Hydrolase: Enzyme that deconjugates bile acids, influencing cholesterol metabolism and microbial survival in the gut.

Antibiotic Resistance Gene (ARG): Genetic determinant that confers resistance to antibiotics and may be mobilised between bacteria.

Horizontal Gene Transfer: Movement of genetic material between organisms, leading to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance.

References

1. Antimicrobial and immunoregulatory effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii 45E against genitourinary pathogens. Journal of Biomedical Science (2023).
2. A survey on antimicrobial resistance genes of frequently used probiotic bacteria, 1901 to 2022. Eurosurveillance (2023).
3. Probiotic potential of exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from homemade fermented food products. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (2023).