A review on the use of microorganisms as probiotics.
A literature review on the use of live microorganisms as probiotics is presented. Topics discussed are the definition of probiotic; the normal microflora of the digestive system of mammals, including bacterial interactions in the gut, colonization, modification of metabolic processes, and immunostimulation. Probiotics studies in humans and in farmed animals, with special emphasis on the use of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. are also discussed.
Gomez-Gil
B
B
Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo/Unidad Mazatlán, Mazatlán, Sin., México.
Roque
A
A
Turnbull
J F
JF
Inglis
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000382:microbiology; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000382:microbiology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000382:microbiology; D011200:Poultry / Q000382:microbiology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D012418:Ruminants / Q000382:microbiology; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology