Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Recent research has suggested that probiotics exert a wide range of effects through different mechanisms and sites of action, dependent on the host. Although the European Food Safety Agency has evaluated current probiotic strains insufficient characterized and clinical research ample for health claim approval, consumers (e.g., in the US) are interested in potential therapeutic and preventive health benefits. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization provide guidelines for probiotics: Proper identification to the level of strain of all probiotics in the product, with deposit of all strains in an international culture collection; Characterization of each strain for traits important to its safety and function; Validation of health benefits in human studies, including identification of the quantity of the microorganism required to provide the benefit and; Truthful and not misleading labeling of efficacy claims and content through the end of shelf life. Over the last years we have seen examples of genetically modified strains with adapted physiological properties compared to the parenteral strain and these provide a start for prosperous future developments. The genetic modifications can impact improved survival/retention in the gastrointestinal tract, cell cycle, cell wall, antibiotic resistance and biochemical/metabolic properties of the strains. The current guidelines that any strain of microorganism that would be assigned to a group would be freed from the need for further safety assessment is insufficient to guarantee any health impact in short and long term. It is therefore crucial that improved guidelines allow flexible developments to secure quality and safety, specifically when it concerns infants and premature infants or metabolically compromised individuals and when it concerns the possible long-term effects.

Biography

Email: tebiesebeke@yahoo.com