Future application of probiotics: A boon from dairy biology

Abstract

Microbes have been used for millenia in food and alcoholic-fermentations; in recent years, microbes have undergone scientific scrutiny of their ability for preventive and therapeutic effects in humans. This work has led to the establishment of a new term, probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are normal microflora of the intestine of most animals. They play an important role in humans and other animals and act as an immunomodulator. LAB are helpful in disease treatment and prevention, as well as for improved digestion and absorption of nutrients. Probiotic microorganisms include LAB i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. casei, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, etc. Use of these live bacteria to elicit an immune response or to carry a vaccine component is a new development in vaccine formulation. The advantages of live bacterial vaccines are their ability to mimic the natural infection, their intrinsic adjuvant properties, and that they can be administered orally. Components of pathogenic and nonpathogenic food-related microbes are currently being evaluated as candidates for oral vaccines. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.