[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fxLN3MUwXCdr5RPjwZYIDpOj8CHyjOmngWTgoKXPtZbg":3,"$fwTcQ0jQHUexmt07Ewk0uuVSXP_YcTYpIn88bE-zu2lw":32,"$f3Ft0rKFJHppdzE-vuveecxx1BUcg9iOlMLtyzf_MJDg":47},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28],{"title":5,"slug":6,"path":7},"About Microbeonline.com","about-microbeonline-com","\u002Fabout-microbeonline-com\u002F",{"title":9,"slug":10,"path":11},"About Me","about-me","\u002Fabout-microbeonline-com\u002Fabout-me\u002F",{"title":13,"slug":14,"path":15},"Advertise with Us","advertise-us","\u002Fadvertise-us\u002F",{"title":17,"slug":18,"path":19},"Privacy Policy","privacy-policy","\u002Fprivacy-policy\u002F",{"title":21,"slug":22,"path":23},"Abbreviations","abbreviations","\u002Fabbreviations\u002F",{"title":25,"slug":26,"path":27},"Microbes","microbes","\u002Fmicrobes\u002F",{"title":29,"slug":30,"path":31},"Books","recommended-books","\u002Frecommended-books\u002F",{"type":33,"data":34},"blog",{"slug":35,"title":36,"description":36,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":38,"createdDate":39,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"body":43,"faq":44,"tags":45,"related":46},"microorganisms-probiotic","Microorganisms with Probiotic Properties",null,"Acharya Tankeshwar","2021-06-29","2025-12-29",false,"general-microbiology","Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Species of **Lactobacillus** and **Bifidobacterium** are most commonly used as probiotics. The yeast **Saccharomyces boulardii** and specific strains of *Streptococcus*, *Pediococcus, Leuconostoc*, *Bacillus*, *Escherichia coli* are also used as probiotics.\n\n![Beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria  - Beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria (Imagesource)](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002FLactic-acid-bacteria.jpg)\n\u003Cfigcaption>Figure: Beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria (Imagesource)\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\n\nThe biological effects of probiotics are strain-specific and that the success or failure of one strain cannot be extrapolated to another strain. Probiotic strains are sub-cultures of almost identical cells, ideally derived from the same mother cell. A probiotic strain is identified by the genus, species, subspecies (if applicable), and an alphanumeric designation that identifies a specific strain. For example, *Lactobacillus casei* DN-114001 or *Lactobacillus rhamnosus* GG.\n\n**Nomenclature used for probiotic microorganisms**\n\n**Important properties of strains to be considered for probiotics use are**:\n\n![Characteristics of potential probiotics - Characteristics of potential probiotics](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fbasic-characteristics-of-probiotic-strains.jpg)\n\u003Cfigcaption>Figure: Characteristics of potential probiotics\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\n\n- ability to reduce pathogen adhesion to surfaces\n- adherence to mucus and\u002For human epithelial cells and cell lines\n- Ability to proliferate and colonise the digestive tract\n- antimicrobial activity against potentially pathogenic bacteria or fungi\n- bile acid resistance\n- Safety in food and clinical use\n- resistance to gastric acidity\n\n### Lactobacillus\n\nThe genus *Lactobacillus* includes various Gram-positive facultative anaerobic or microaerophilic rod-shaped bacteria. They are a major part of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group that can convert hexose sugars to lactic acid. In humans, Lactobacilli are normally present in the vagina and gastrointestinal tract where they inhibit harmful bacteria by making acidic environments. Some Lactobacilli are used for the production of yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, sourdough, wine, and other fermented products.\n\nLactobacilli species are commonly selected as probiotics since they express many crucial properties such as high tolerance to acid and bile, capability to adhere to intestinal surfaces, withstanding low pH of gastric juice, inhibiting potentially pathogenic species, resisting antibiotics, producing exopolysaccharides, and removing cholesterol. Studies have shown that certain strains of Lactobacilli are effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, preventing recurrent UTI in adult women, etc.  \n\nMost common probiotic species of *Lactobacillus* are as follows:\n\n1. *L. acidophilus*\n2. *L. brevis*\n3. *L. bulgaricus*\n4. *L. casei*\n5. *L. paracasei*\n6. *L. plantarum*\n7. *L. reuteri*\n8. *L. rhamnosus*\n9. *L. salivarius*\n10. *L. plantarum*\n11. *L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus*\n12. *Lactobacillus animalis subsp. lactis*\n13. *Lactobacillus casei strain shirota*\n\n### Bifidobacterium\n\nStrains of the genus *Bifidobacterium* are also commonly used as probiotics either alone or in a cocktail with other probiotic bacteria.  The genus *Bifidobacterium* includes various Gram-positive non-motile anaerobic bacteria. They are endosymbiotic inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract and vagina of mammals, including humans.  \n\n*Bifidobacterium* species have been proven effective to treat constipation, travelers’ diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, food allergies, and cholesterol-lowering capacities.\n\nMost common probiotic species of *Bifidobacterium* are as follows:\n\n1. *B. adolescentis*\n2. *B. bifidum*\n3. *B. breve*\n4. *B. infantis*\n5. *B. longum*\n6. *B. lactis*\n7. *B.animalis subsp lactis*\n\n### Saccharomyces\n\n*S. boulardii* has been used extensively as a probiotic, both as a dietary supplement and as a drug. *S. boulardii* is a live yeast and is available in a lyophilized form to treat diarrhea. Administration of *S. boulardii* has shown positive effects for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent pseudomembranous colitis, preventing and treating relapses of inflammatory bowel disease, and treating moderate symptoms of ulcerative colitis.\n\n*Saccharomyces boulardii* fungemia secondary to use of the probiotic has been described for critically ill patients.\n\n### Streptococcus\n\n*S. thermophilus*, also known as *Streptococcus salivarius* subsp.*thermophilus* is a gram-positive cocci of the group viridans streptococci. Streptococcus thermophilus is used as a starter culture for the production of yogurt alongside *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* subsp. *bulgaricus*).\n\n*Streptococcus thermophilus*and *Lactobacillus delbrueckii* subsp. *bulgaricus* improve lactose digestion and reduce symptoms related to lactose intolerance.\n\n### Enterococcus\n\n*E. faecalis*and*E. faecium* are commonly used probiotic strains of the genera *Enterococcus. Enterococcus faecium* has been used to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea but growing evidence suggests that certain strains of *E. faecium*can act as an opportunistic pathogen, so they are no longer regarded safe for human consumption. They are still used as probiotics for animals.\n\n### Escherichia\n\n*Escherichia coli,* a prominent member of the family *Enterobacteriaceae* is an opportunistic pathogen and number one cause of UTI in females. *E. coli* is a normal flora of the intestine and contains a probiotic strain named *E. coli*Nissle 1917.\n\n*E. coli*-based probiotics (*E. coli* Nissle) have been effective in reducing symptoms of constipation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This strain has the potential to reduce gastrointestinal disorders, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, even colon cancer, however, more research is necessary.\n\n### Bacillus\n\n*B*. *coagulans* and *B. mesentericus* are the most commonly used probiotic species of Bacillus genera and have been used successfully to treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea. *Bacillus* is a gram-positive spore-forming aerobic or facultative aerobic rod.\n\n“#ad”\n\n### Review Best Commercial Probiotics Products\n\nIf you want to check commercial probiotic products, the amazon website can be a good platform. You can follow this link  [Review Best Commercial Probiotics Products](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fgp\u002Fsearch?ie=UTF8&tag=microbeonl004-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=2d1b2852e3a11c2c8c41ea5eef6bae22&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=probiotics) and view\u002Fpurchase various types of commercial probiotics based on your needs.\n\n**References and further readings**\n\n- Probiotics and prebiotics. World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines-2017\n- Fijan, S. (2014). Microorganisms with Claimed Probiotic Properties: An Overview of Recent Literature. *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health*, *11*(5), 4745–4767. \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.3390\u002Fijerph110504745>\n- Kneifel, W., & Domig, K. J. (2014). Probiotic Bacteria: Detection and Estimation in Fermented and Nonfermented Dairy Products. In C. A. Batt & M. L. Tortorello (Eds.), *Encyclopedia of Food Microbiology (Second Edition)* (pp. 154–157). Academic Press. \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1016\u002FB978-0-12-384730-0.00271-8>\n- *Office of Dietary Supplements—Probiotics*. Retrieved June 28, 2021, from \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fods.od.nih.gov\u002Ffactsheets\u002FProbiotics-HealthProfessional\u002F>",[],[],[],[48,54,61,66,70,74,79,84,88,92],{"slug":49,"name":38,"description":50,"image":51,"body":52,"postCount":53},"acharya-tankeshwar","Editor-in-chief","https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fauthors\u002Ftankeshwar-acharya-author-microbeonline.jpg","***Tankeshwar Acharya, MSc (Medical Microbiology)***\n\n*Tankeshwar Acharya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), Nepal, where he has been teaching and practicing clinical microbiology for over 14 years. He is the founder of Microbe Online, one of the leading free microbiology education resources on the web, covering bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, immunology, and clinical laboratory diagnostics written from direct experience in both the classroom and the diagnostic laboratory.*",433,{"slug":55,"name":56,"description":57,"image":58,"body":59,"postCount":60},"ashma-shrestha","Ashma Shrestha","SEO Copywriter and Science Communicator\nKathmandu, Nepal","https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fauthors\u002Fashma-shrestha.png","Ashma Shrestha holds a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology from the Institute of Science and Technology (IOST), Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where she developed a strong foundation in virology, molecular biology, and diagnostic microbiology.\n\nShe now works as an SEO Copywriter at Resolution Digital, where she combines her scientific training with research-driven content strategy. She is certified in Google Analytics and Google Business Profile (GBP), and brings a data-informed approach to science communication writing content that is not only accurate but structured to reach and serve the students who need it most.\n\nAt microbeonline, Ashma contributes articles primarily in virology and molecular biology, areas she finds most compelling for their mechanistic depth and their growing clinical relevance. Her writing reflects the same standard the site is built on: factual rigor, clear explanation of the *why* behind microbiology concepts, and content that helps students move from memorization to genuine understanding.\n\nShe is passionate about making complex microbiological concepts accessible without sacrificing accuracy; a skill that sits at the intersection of her scientific training and her professional work in content and SEO.",81,{"slug":62,"name":63,"description":64,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":65},"sushmita-baniya","Sushmita Baniya","Author \u002F Contributor",32,{"slug":67,"name":68,"description":64,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":69},"samikshya-acharya","Samikshya Acharya",20,{"slug":71,"name":72,"description":64,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":73},"alisha-tripathi","Alisha Tripathi",6,{"slug":75,"name":76,"description":77,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":78},"aastha-shrestha","Aastha Shrestha"," Author \u002F Contributor",9,{"slug":80,"name":81,"description":82,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":83},"guest-author","Guest Author","Guest Author \u002F Contributor",2,{"slug":85,"name":86,"description":64,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":87},"srijana-khanal","Srijana Khanal",18,{"slug":89,"name":90,"description":82,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":91},"dr-poonam-acharya","Dr. Poonam Acharya",1,{"slug":93,"name":94,"description":64,"image":37,"body":95,"postCount":96},"nisha-rijal","Nisha Rijal","**Nisha Rijal** is a microbiologist and quality assurance specialist. She served for nearly 12 years as a microbiologist at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Nepal's national reference laboratory, and continues to work as a consultant microbiologist in international public health organization. ",51]