probiotics

Question 1

abiotics

Answer 1

Typically consist of probiotic strains that have been inactivated by lysis, heat, or UV irradiation and have demonstrated some effectiveness in downregulating the inflammatory response in intestinal epithelial cells.

Question 2

prebiotics

Answer 2

are non-digestible carbohydrates that act as “food” for probiotics. Prebiotics help probiotics grow and remain in your digestive system. Not all non-digestible carbohydrates are prebiotics. All prebiotics must meet specific scientific criteria

Question 3

sybiotics

Answer 3

Food ingredients or dietary supplements combining probiotics and prebiotics in a form of synergism

Question 4

Autochthonous microbiota

Answer 4

populations of microbes that are present in large numbers and permanently colonize the host

Question 5

Normal microbiota

Answer 5

microorganisms that are frequently in the gut, but can vary in number and be sporadically absent

Question 6

Pathogens

Answer 6

microorganisms that are periodically acquired by can persist and cause infection or disease

Question 7

Allochthonous microbiota

Answer 7

are microbes from another origin that are present temporarily (most probiotics are also allochthonous)

Question 8

what are the most common bacteria found in probiotics?

Answer 8

LAB and Bifidobacteria which are normal constituents of the human gastrointestinal microflora and considered beneficial
-others can be added including Saccharomyces boulardii.
Although E. coli is sometimes considered a foodborne pathogen one specific strain E. coli Nissel (sold under the trade name Mutaflor) is considered a probiotic

Question 9

what are the 6 criteria for selecting probiotic strains?

Answer 9

1. origin of strains
2. biosafety
3. tolerance to acid and bile salts
4. adhesion to the intestinal cells
5. production of antimicrobial substances
6. utilization of prebiotics

Question 10

origin of strains

Answer 10

One criteria originally proposed was that all strains should be from human origin. However, LAB exist in diverse environments, and now it’s the biochemical activity that’s considered, not the origin.

Question 11

biosafety

Answer 11

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have low pathogenic potential. Enterococcus can contain opportunistic pathogens. The use of intestinal isolates raised the concern of biosafety. The organism must be generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Question 12

tolerance to acid and bile salts

Answer 12

Probiotic strains must be tolerant to acid and bile salts in order to reach the GIT (specifically the colon)

Question 13

adhesion to intestinal cells

Answer 13

Strains should be able to adhere to intestinal cells and colonize the GIT, at least temporarily.

Question 14

production of antimicrobial substances

Answer 14

LAB produce a number of substances that are inhibitory to other bacteria including: lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins. Lactic acid also lowers the pH of the colon, and this low pH affects the ability of pathogenic bacteria to grow in the colon and vagina. Hydrogen production is also particularly good at discouraging urogenital infections.

Question 15

utilization of prebiotics

Answer 15

The relationship between prebiotics and probiotics is also important. Probiotics should be able to use fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

Question 16

what are the 3 mechanisms of action that cause benefit to GIT

Answer 16

1. interaction with the immune system: Some probiotics appear to shift the production of cytokines from the inflammation-inducing interleukin-12 pathway to the anti-inflammatory IL-10 pathway
2. strengthening of the mucosal barrier: Dysfunction of the GIT barrier can lead to inflammatory bowel disease, some probiotics enhance this barrier by encouraging production of protective proteins such as mucins.
3. exclusion of pathogens