Genomic features of lactic acid bacteria effecting bioprocessing and health.
The lactic acid bacteria are a functionally related group of organisms known primarily for their bioprocessing roles in food and beverages. More recently, selected members of the lactic acid bacteria have been implicated in a number of probiotic roles that impact general health and well-being. Genomic analyses of multiple members of the lactic acid bacteria, at the genus, species, and strain level, have now elucidated many genetic features that direct their fermentative and probiotic roles. This information is providing an important platform for understanding core mechanisms that control and regulate bacterial growth, survival, signaling, and fermentative processes and, in some cases, potentially underlying probiotic activities within complex microbial and host ecosystems.
Klaenhammer
Todd R
TR
Department of Food Science, North Carolina State University, Box 7624, Raleigh, NC 27695-7624, USA. klaenhammer@ncsu.edu
Barrangou
Rodolphe
R
Buck
B Logan
BL
Azcarate-Peril
M Andrea
MA
Altermann
Eric
E
D005516:Food Microbiology; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D023281:Genomics; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D017045:Lactococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D019936:Probiotics