Probiotics colony forming units
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Probiotics Colony Forming Units: Insights and Implications
Introduction to Probiotics and Colony Forming Units (CFUs)
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. The effectiveness of probiotics is often measured by their colony forming units (CFUs), which indicate the number of viable bacteria capable of forming colonies. This metric is crucial for ensuring the delivery of a clinically effective dose of probiotics 23.
Importance of Accurate Enumeration of Probiotics
Accurate enumeration of probiotics is essential for confirming their viability and effectiveness. Traditional methods, such as plate counts, measure CFUs but have limitations, including long processing times and high variability 3. Newer methods like chip-based digital PCR (cdPCR) and flow cytometry offer more precise and rapid enumeration. These methods can differentiate between live and dead cells, providing a more accurate count of viable probiotics 23.
Probiotics and Oral Health
Probiotics have shown potential benefits in maintaining oral health by reducing the CFU counts of oral pathogens. Studies have demonstrated that probiotics can decrease the prevalence of oral infectious diseases, although more long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings 1. For instance, probiotics have been effective in reducing Candida spp. counts in patients with oral candidiasis, particularly among denture wearers 5.
Viability and Survival of Probiotics
The viability of probiotics through the gastrointestinal tract is influenced by various factors, including the prebiotic sources used during their growth. Prebiotics like pectin and inulin can enhance the stress resistance of probiotics, improving their survival rates in simulated gastric and pancreatic juices 78. This increased viability is crucial for ensuring that a sufficient number of CFUs reach the intestines to confer health benefits.
Dose-Response Relationship
The effectiveness of probiotics is dose-dependent. Higher doses of probiotics generally result in better health outcomes. For example, a study showed that increasing the dose of a probiotic mixture led to higher recovery rates and increased production of beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) 4. This dose-response relationship underscores the importance of administering adequate CFUs to achieve desired health benefits.
Hidden Microbial Fractions in Probiotic Products
Commercial probiotic formulations often contain microbial fractions not listed on the label, such as viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells and dead cells. These hidden fractions can still influence the host's biological responses and should be considered in the overall efficacy of probiotic products 6. Therefore, comprehensive microbiological characterization is recommended for accurate labeling and clinical studies.
Conclusion
The enumeration of probiotics in terms of CFUs is a critical factor in determining their efficacy and health benefits. Advances in enumeration methods, such as cdPCR and flow cytometry, offer more precise and rapid assessments of probiotic viability. Probiotics have shown promise in various health applications, including oral health and gastrointestinal function, but accurate dosing and comprehensive characterization are essential for maximizing their benefits. Further research and long-term clinical trials are needed to fully understand the optimal use of probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Probiotics and oral health: A systematic review
Probiotics may be beneficial for maintaining oral health by decreasing oral pathogen counts, but long-term randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy in reducing oral infectious diseases.
Systematic Review
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedCollaborative cytometric inter-laboratory ring test for probiotics quantification
Flow cytometry is a reliable, precise, and user-friendly method for enumerating probiotic bacteria, regardless of their cultivability or ability to form colonies.
Absolute Enumeration of Probiotic Strains Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04® via Chip-Based Digital PCR
Chip-based digital PCR (cdPCR) is a more precise and strain specific method for enumerating probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04, potentially replacing traditional plate counts.
Dose-Response Recovery of Probiotic Strains in Simulated Gastro-Intestinal Passage
Higher doses of probiotic strains are needed to achieve measurable increases in metabolic output and short chain fatty acids compared to placebo.
RCTRigorous JournalEffect of Probiotics on Oral Candidiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Probiotics may have a beneficial effect on oral candidiasis, with larger effects observed in denture wearers.
Meta-Analysis
Very Rigorous JournalThe Neglected Microbial Components of Commercial Probiotic Formulations
Probiotic products should include minimum microbiological characterization requirements for label specifications and clinical studies, as "hidden" microbial fractions may influence efficacy and be relevant for immunocompromised or fragile consumers.
Rigorous JournalThe prebiotic source influences the growth, biochemical features and survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Both pectin and inulin prebiotics enhance the survival and stress resistance of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, while both also stimulate the production of butyrate.
In Vitro StudyHighly CitedBiochemical Traits, Survival and Biological Properties of the Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Grown in the Presence of Prebiotic Inulin and Pectin as Energy Source
Lactobacillus plantarum grown in the presence of prebiotics inulin and pectin shows improved survival, stress resistance, and biochemical properties compared to glucose-grown cells.
In Vitro StudyEfficacy and safety of spore-forming probiotics in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a pilot randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Spore-forming probiotics show potential in improving functional dyspepsia symptoms and reducing postprandial distress, with similar adverse event rates to placebo.
RCTRigorous JournalProbiotic Bacteria Stimulate Gut Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Rat
Probiotics Lactobacillus casei and Clostridium butyricum enhance gut epithelial cell proliferation in rats fed an elemental diet, potentially benefiting intestinal health.
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