Lactobacillus acidophilus is an important member of the Lactobacillus family, a Gram-positive non-spore-forming bacterium with a streptomorphic or globular form and an optimal growth temperature of 37-42°C and an optimal pH of 6.8. Lactobacillus acidophilus was first isolated from human feces by North Carolina State University in the 1970s. It is the only strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus that has been genetically sequenced and annotated. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the widely researched and developed probiotics in the lactic acid bacteria family, and is considered as a third-generation kefir fermentor strain and an important microorganism in the human body. Lactobacillus acidophilus is not only in the stomach, it is also the main probiotic in the human small intestine.
Lactobacillus acidophilus has the following effects
1. Inhibit pathogenic bacteria, anti-disease: Lactobacillus acidophilus can effectively adjust the balance of the animal intestinal flora, regulate the immune activity of the body’s intestinal mucosa, enhance immunity and improve animal survival rate.
2. Promote animal growth: It can secrete lactic acid and produce digestive enzymes such as protease, amylase and lipase, which are beneficial to the decomposition of substances; synthesize B vitamins, amino acids, unspecified growth-promoting factors and other nutrients to promote animal growth.
3. Purify aquaculture water: significantly reduce the content of ammonia nitrogen and other harmful substances in aquaculture water, decompose fish residue, feces and organic matter in water, improve the water environment, inhibit the reproduction and growth of harmful bacteria in the water body, adjust the algal phase balance, and control harmful bacteria and algae, purify water quality, and promote the healthy growth of fish and shrimp.
Lactobacillus acidophilus has the following applications
1. Lactobacillus acidophilus and cholesterol
A reduction in total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is thought to reduce cardiovascular disease. Several studies have reported that Lactobacillus acidophilus intake can reduce serum cholesterol levels in humans and animals. Some strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus reduce cholesterol concentrations in the culture medium during cell growth indicating their ability to assimilate cholesterol in vitro. This cholesterol uptake occurs only in the presence of bile in the culture and under anaerobic conditions, and studies with Lactobacillus acidophilus have shown a strain-dependent effect on cholesterol.
2. Anti-cancer effect
Numerous experiments have shown that fermented dairy products or lactic acid bacterial preparations can stimulate antitumor effects in humans and animals. Microbial enzyme activity is thought to play an important role in carcinogenesis, and its activity is generally obtained by measuring its activity in feces. Studies have shown that some lactic acid bacteria can alter the activity of certain fecal enzymes, including beta glucosidase, nitroreductase and azo reductase. In vitro studies have confirmed the ability of Lactobacillus to absorb mutagenic agents from cooked foods, and studies have found that supplementation with a high meat diet containing Lactobacillus acidophilus significantly reduced fecal β-glucosidase and nitroreductase activities.
3. Suppressing intestinal diarrhea
Many factors can cause diarrhea, such as viral, bacterial or antibiotic induced diarrhea. Clinical studies have shown that lactobacilli and their products can be effective in preventing and treating intestinal diarrhea in humans.
4 Enhancement of the body’s immunity
The role of probiotic lactic acid bacteria on systemic immune response as well as secretory immune response has been extensively studied in recent years. The metabolites of lactic acid bacteria, cell wall composition, and the colonization of the intestine by lactic acid bacteria are seen as important factors affecting immune regulation. Probiotics can prevent the growth of pathogens through competitive inhibition, and they can enhance immune function by increasing the number of plasma cells produced, enhancing phagocytosis, and increasing the ratio of lymphocytes to cells.
5. Suppresses vaginal inflammation in women
Lactobacillus is the most common microorganism found in the vagina of healthy women. Currently, at least one species of Lactobacillus has been isolated from the vagina of healthy women, with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus fermentum in high numbers. Lactobacillus acidophilus produces lactic acid and other substances to maintain a low value in the vagina, thus preventing the overgrowth of pathogens.
