Lactic acid bacteria activities to promote health benefits

ROSS, GLORIA ROMINA ; GAUFFIN CANO, PAOLA; GUSILS LEON, CARLOS HORACIO; MEDINA, ROXANA BEATRIZ; VAN NIEUWENHOVE, CARINA; GONZALEZ, SILVIA NELINA

Multidisciplinary Approaches on Food Science and Nutrition for the XXI Century

Transworld Research Network 37/661 (2), Fort P.O. Trivandrum

Lugar: Kerala; Año: 2011; p. 155 - 174

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 in calcium alginate microcapsules. Other interesting property is the influence of these bacteria on leptin secretion. This hormone could be linked with nutritional status and immune system. In animal experimental models, we have demonstrated that probiotic microorganisms have different influences on leptin secretion of well-nourished and mild calorie restricted host. The presence of microbial enzymes like cinnamoyl-esterase or the 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. On the 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 that are able to produce CLA, may be included in foods or used as probiotic to offer health benefits to consumers.