Bifidobacteria spp. As a Potential Probiotic for the Treatment of Various Diseases

Abstract

The objective of this review paper was to provide information on the utilization of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium as potential probiotic for the treatment of various diseases by harvesting information from secondary sources. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are known to resist gastric acid, bile salts and pancreatic enzymes, to adhere to colonic mucosa and readily colonize the intestinal tract. Other organisms like enterococci and yeasts have also been used as probiotics. Lactobacilli are Gram-positive, non-spore-forming and non-flagellated rods or coccobacilli. They are either aerotolerant or anaerobic and strictly fermentative. Probiotics are one of the fast-growing categories within food for which scientific researchers have demonstrated therapeutic evidence. They are used in prevention of urogenital diseases, alleviation of constipation, protection against diarrhoea, reduction of hypercholesterolaemia, protection against colon cancer, and prevention of osteoporosis and food allergy. Ingestion of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) has been suggested to confer a range of health benefits including immune system modulation, increased resistance to malignancy and infectious illness. It is used in terminating illness as diarrhea and abdominal discomfort. Probiotics can produce antimicrobial substances including bacteriocins that have ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria. Bifidobacterium is an important composition of the probiotic mix with several health benefiting properties when administered at the appropriate dosage. Various types of probiotics have been found to exert various therapeutic properties including antiinfection, antiinflammation, anticancer, promoting host psychological and physical health, and regulating host immune system. Recent studies have suggested that probiotics have demonstrated beneficial effects to human and animal health. This review has highlighted the immense benefit of probiotics to human health.