Lactobacillus acidophilus
L. acidophilus bacteria near vaginal squamous epithelial cells)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Division: Firmicutes Class: Bacilli Order: Lactobacillales Family: Lactobacillaceae Genus: Lactobacillus Species: L. acidophilus
Binomial name
Lactobacillus acidophilus (Moro 1900) Hansen & Mocquot 1970

Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of several bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus. It is in some countries sometimes used commercially together with Streptococcus salivarius and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus in the production of acidophilus-type yogurt. Image File history File links Lactobacillus_sp_01. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Squamous means covered with or formed of scales; scaly. ... Types of epithelium This article discusses the epithelium, an animal anatomical structure. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... Phyla Actinobacteria Aquificae Chlamydiae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Lentisphaerae Nitrospirae Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Verrucomicrobia Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are unicellular microorganisms. ... Classes Bacilli Clostridia Mollicutes The Firmicutes are a division of bacteria, most of which have Gram-positive cell wall structure. ... Orders Bacillales Lactobacillales The term bacilli (singular bacillus) is used to refer to any rod-shaped bacteria. ... Families Aerococcaceae Carnobacteriaceae Enterococcaceae Lactobacillaceae Leuconostocaceae Streptococcaceae The Lactobacillales are an order of Gram-positive bacteria that comprise the lactic acid bacteria. ... Genera Lactobacillus Paralactobacillus Pediococcus The Lactobacillaceae is a family of Gram-positive bacteria, placed within the order of Lactobacillales. ... Species L. acidophilus L. bulgaricus L. casei L. plantarum L. reuterietc. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Phyla/Divisions Actinobacteria Aquificae Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi Chlamydiae/Verrucomicrobia Chloroflexi Chrysiogenetes Cyanobacteria Deferribacteres Deinococcus-Thermus Dictyoglomi Fibrobacteres/Acidobacteria Firmicutes Fusobacteria Gemmatimonadetes Nitrospirae Omnibacteria Planctomycetes Proteobacteria Spirochaetes Thermodesulfobacteria Thermomicrobia Thermotogae Bacteria (singular, bacterium) are a major group of living organisms. ... Species L. acidophilus L. bulgaricus L. casei L. plantarum L. reuterietc. ... Streptococcus salivarius is a streptococcus bacteria used to produce yogurt and some cheeses. ... Binomial name Lactobacillus bulgaricus Orla-Jensen, 1919 Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Official name Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecius bulgaricus, LBB) is one of several bacteria used for the production of Kisselo mlyako(Bulgarian)- Sour milkyoghurt (yogurt). ... Yoghurt Yoghurt or yogurt, less commonly yoghourt or yogourt, is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. ...

Lactobacillus acidophilus gets its name from lacto- meaning milk, -bacillus meaning rod-like in shape, and acidophilus meaning acid-loving. This bacterium thrives in more acidic environments than most related microorganisms (pH 4-5 or lower) and grows best at 45 degrees Celsius. L. acidophilus occurs naturally in the human (and animal) intestine, mouth, and vagina [1]. L. acidophilus ferments lactose into lactic acid, like many (but not all) lactic acid bacteria. Certain related species (known as heterofermentive) also produce ethanol, carbon dioxide, and acetic acid this way. L. acidophilus itself (a homofermentative microorganism) produces only lactic acid. Like many bacteria, L. acidophilus can be killed by excess heat, moisture, or direct sunlight. In anatomy, the intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine (or colon). ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Lactose is a disaccharide that consists of β-D-galactose and β-D-glucose molecules bonded through a β1-4 glycosidic linkage. ... Lactic acid (IUPAC systematic name: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid), also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in several biochemical processes. ... Species L. acidophilus L. bulgaricus L. plantarum L.reuteri etc. ... Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol or grain alcohol, is a flammable, colorless, slightly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor, and is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. ... Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. ... Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is an organic chemical compound best recognized for giving vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. ...

Health benefits

Some strains of L. acidophilus may be considered a probiotic or "friendly" bacteria.^[1] These types of healthy bacteria inhabit the intestines and vagina and protect against some unhealthy organisms. The breakdown of nutrients by L. acidophilus produces lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other byproducts that make the environment hostile for undesired organisms. L. acidophilus also tends to consume the nutrients many other microorganisms depend on, thus outcompeting possibly harmful bacteria in the digestive tract. During digestion, L. acidophilus also assists in the production of niacin, folic acid, and pyridoxine. L. acidophilus can assist in bile deconjugation, separating amino acids from bile acids, which can then be recycled by the body.^[2] Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast, with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as the most common microbes used. ... Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very pale blue liquid which appears colourless in a dilute solution, slightly more viscous than water. ... Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH, NAD, NAD+, and NADP play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. ... Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of the water-soluble Vitamin B9. ... Pyridoxine Vitamin B6 pyridoxine is a water-soluble vitamin. ... Bile (or gall) is a bitter, greenish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by hepatocytes from the liver of most vertebrates. ... Phenylalanine is one of the standard amino acids. ...

Some research has indicated L. acidophilus may provide additional health benefits, including improved gastrointestinal function, a boosted immune system, and a decrease in the frequency of vaginal yeast infections. Some people report L. acidophilus provides relief from indigestion and diarrhea.^[3] A University of Nebraska study found that feed supplemented with L. acidophilus and fed to cattle resulted in a 61% reduction of Escherichia coli 0157:H7. Research has indicated L. acidophilus may be helpful reducing serum cholesterol levels.^[4] The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract), also called the digestive tract, alimentary canal, or gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. ... A scanning electron microscope image of a single lymphocyte, a component of the human immune system A poop system is a collection of mechanisms within an organism that protect against infection by identifying and killing pathogens. ... Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, is a fungal infection of any of the Candida species, of which Candida albicans is the most common. ... Indigestion is a condition that is frequently caused by eating too fast, especially by eating high-fat foods quickly. ... Types 5-7 on the Bristol Stool Chart are often associated with diarrhea Diarrhea (in American English) or diarrhoea (in British English) is a generally unpleasant condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; literally meaning to run through). Acute infectious... Seal of the University of Nebraska The University of Nebraska is one of two public university systems in the state of Nebraska, USA. The system has four universities and a technical college: University of Nebraska-Lincoln University of Nebraska at Omaha University of Nebraska at Kearney University of Nebraska Medical... E. coli redirects here. ... Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne illness. ... Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol) and a lipid found in the cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the blood plasma of all animals. ...

L. acidophilus is part of the normal vaginal flora.^[5] The acid produced by L. acidophilus in the vagina helps to control the growth of the fungus Candida albicans, helping to prevent vaginal yeast infections. The same beneficial effect has been observed in cases of oral or gastrointestinal Candidiasis infections. Certain spermicides and contraceptive creams can kill L. acidophilus in the vagina, clearing the path to possible yeast infections. In microbiology, flora (plural: floras or floræ) refers to the collective bacteria and other microorganisms in an ecosystem (usually an animal host or a single part of its body). ... Binomial name Candida albicans (C.P. Robin) Berkhout 1923 Synonyms Candida stellatoidea [1] Candida albicans is a diploid sexual fungus (a form of yeast), and a causal agent of opportunistic oral and vaginal infections in humans. ...

Antibiotics taken orally will also kill beneficial bacteria like L. acidophilus. After a course of antibiotic therapy, patients are occasionally instructed to take an L. acidophilus treatment in order to recolonize the gastrointestinal tract. Staphylococcus aureus - Antibiotics test plate. ...

L. acidophilus is often sold in health stores in pill or powder form as a nutritional supplement. Research on the nutritional benefits of taking L. acidophilus supplements is inconsistent and inconclusive. Most such claims boil down to a link between L. acidophilus and a possible decrease in the incidence of certain diseases, including yeast infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and a weakened immune system. Most researchers agree further study is needed before substantiating many of these claims.

Dental cavities

Although considered beneficial, L. acidophilus and other Lactobacillus species have been associated with dental caries. ^[6]

Food production

L. acidophilus can be used to make yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk, and other fermented dairy products. In yogurt production, L. acidophilus is sometimes added to milk to render it more acidic. By breaking down lactose to lactic acid, the bacteria make such dairy products digestible by lactose intolerant people. It can also be used to make "cultured soy" (commonly called soy yogurt) from soymilk in much the same way. A glass of cows milk A goat kid feeding on its mothers milk Milk is the nutrient fluid secreted by the mammary glands of female mammals (including monotremes). ... Beer fermenting at a brewery. ... Soy milk or soya milk (Chinese: 豆浆 or 豆奶, Japanese:豆乳) is the liquid extraction processed from soy beans after soaking, grinding, cooking and straining. ...

References

Further reading

• Buttris, J. 1997. Nutritional properties of fermented milk products. International Journal of Dairy Technology 50(1):21-27
• Rasic JL: The Role of Dairy Foods Containing Bifido and Acidophilus in nutrition and Health. N European Dairy J 4:1-10 (1983)
• Salminen, S. and Von Wrigh, A., ed.1993. Lactic Acid Bacteria. Marcel Dekker Inc, NY
• Sandine WE: Roles of Lactobacillus in the Intestinal Tract. J Food Protection 42(3):259-62 (1979)
• Savaiano DA, et al.: Lactose Malabsorption in Yogurt and Sweet Acidophilus Milk. Am J Clin Nutr 40(6):1219-20.
• Wood, B.J, ed. 1992. The lactic acid bacteria in health and disease. Elsevier Applied Science, London

External links

• Article on health benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus at MedlinePlus
• Article on Lactobacillus Acidophilus at University of Maryland Medical Center website
• Acidophilus and Other Probiotics
• Lactobacillus acidophilus from the U. of Wisconsin
• Lactobacillus Genome Project
• Global analysis of carbohydrate utilization by Lactobacillus acidophilus using cDNA microarrays

• Safety and protective effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei used as probiotic agent in vivo

• Probiotics and the gastrointestinal tract: Where are we in 2005?
• Opportunities for Probiotic Dairy Products

• Probiotics and Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Can the amount of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach be kept low through probiotic intake?

• Probiotics in Health and Disease

• The role of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus as probiotics in controlling infantile watery diarrhea
• Do probiotics reduce adult lactose intolerance? A systematic review