LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE HEALTH BENEFITS

ROSS, GR; GAUFFIN CANO, PAOLA; GUSILS, C; MEDINA, R; VAN NIEUWENHOVE, C

Multidisciplinary approaches on food science and nutrition for the 21st. Century

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Año: 2009;

The activity of the probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been widely documented and can be divided according to their nutritional, physiological and antimicrobial effects. These observations have led to develop foods containing LAB to be used as human and animal probiotics. This chapter reviews the current results of the relevance of microencapsulation method of probiotic bacteria to resist the gastrointestinal conditions. Bacteria isolated from pig faeces have probiotic effects when they are administered by microencapsulating in calcium alginate technique. Other interesting property is the influence of these bacteria on leptin secretion; this hormone could be linked with nutritional status and immune system. We showed, in animal experimental models, that probiotic microorganisms have different influence on leptin secretion on well-nourished and mild calorie restricted host. The presence of microbial enzymes like cinnamoyl-esterase or linoleic acid desaturase, were also studied. The cinnamoyl-esterase action could release, in intestinal tract, absorbable antioxidant compounds, such as caffeic or ferulic acid. Some foods contain these acids under ester forms. By other hand, linoleic acid desaturase allows the conjugated linoleic acid production, a fatty acid with different biological functions.  Strains from intestinal, ruminal and dairy products origin are classified as CLA-forming bacteria and may be included in foods or used as probiotic to offer health benefits to consumers.