{"id":12286,"date":"2025-01-14T10:55:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T09:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/?p=12286"},"modified":"2025-01-14T10:55:24","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T09:55:24","slug":"probiotics-a-comprehensive-look-at-their-evolution-and-market-trends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/probiotics-a-comprehensive-look-at-their-evolution-and-market-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Probiotics: A comprehensive look at their evolution and market trends"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n\r\n\"LUBRIPLATE\"<\/a>\r\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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Probiotics: A comprehensive look at their evolution and market trends<\/h1>\/ in Featured Articles<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/header>\n<\/div><\/section>
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From ancient Bulgarian yogurt to cutting-edge infant nutrition, the developing world of probiotics continues to reshape our understanding of gut health. Mahalakshmi<\/strong><\/em>, research associate at Giract, explores the latest trends, regulatory challenges, and breakthrough developments in the global probiotics industry, with particular focus on European markets and recent product innovations.<\/h3>\n

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\"Mahalakshmi\"

Mahalakshmi<\/p><\/div>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. First brought to the spotlight in the early 20th<\/sup> century by Russian Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff, probiotics gained significant attention when he linked the longevity of Bulgarian villagers to their consumption of a fermented yoghurt drink containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus<\/em>. Inspired by this discovery, Japanese microbiologist Dr Minoru Shirota discovered Lactobacillus casei Shirota<\/em> and introduced the yoghurt drink Yakult in 1935, which became globally recognized for its gut health benefits.<\/p>\n

Probiotic cultures predominantly come from two genera: Lactobacillus<\/em> and Bifidobacterium<\/em>, which account for over 90% of the total probiotic strains available by volume. However, other genera such as Bacillus<\/em>, Lactococcus<\/em>, Enterococcus<\/em>, Pediococcus<\/em>, Streptococcus<\/em>, and Saccharomyces<\/em> are also used in developing certain probiotic products.<\/p>\n

Probiotics and their health implications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Research has shown that a balanced gut microbiome is crucial for overall health, impacting gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders and potentially reducing the risk of stomach cancer. Probiotics are widely used for various health benefits, with gut health remaining the primary focus.<\/p>\n

The probiotic content in a product is quantified using colony-forming units (CFUs), which measure the number of live, viable microorganisms. CFUs are determined by culturing a diluted sample, counting the resulting colonies, and calculating the CFU per gram, milliliter, or serving.<\/p>\n

Research consistently supports the health benefits of probiotics in various areas. Studies have shown that probiotics can improve gut health by alleviating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and reducing diarrhoea. For instance, a World Journal of Gastroenterology meta-analysis highlighted that strains like Bifidobacterium<\/em> and Lactobacillus<\/em> effectively manage IBS symptoms such as bloating and pain. Additionally, a systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology demonstrated that probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus<\/em> and Saccharomyces boulardii<\/em>, significantly reduce the incidence and duration of diarrhoea, including that caused by antibiotics and infections. These findings underscore probiotics\u2019 role in enhancing digestive health and managing gastrointestinal disorders.<\/p>\n

Probiotics offer benefits beyond gut health, including potential impacts on mental health and immune function. The paper titled \u201cExploring the Role and Potential of Probiotics in the Field of Mental Health: Major Depressive Disorder\u201d highlights how probiotics may benefit mental health by influencing the gut-brain axis, potentially serving as a complementary treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This is often attributed to the gut-brain axis, where gut health influences mental well-being. Additionally, a study in The Journal of Immunology suggests that probiotics can enhance immune function by modulating immune responses and increasing the production of specific antibodies, potentially leading to reduced incidence of infections and better overall immune health. These findings highlight the broader applications of probiotics in supporting mental and immune health.<\/p>\n

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The probiotic supply chain<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to Giract\u2019s analysis, probiotic culture suppliers can be categorized into four distinct types:<\/p>\n