Probiotics (living agents) & Selection

The selection of potential probiotic strains that would be capable of performing effectively in the gastrointestinal tract is a significant challenge. Strain selection has generally been based on in vitro tolerance of physiologically relevant stresses: e.g., low pH, elevated osmolarity, and bile
Klaenhammer & Kullen 1999 Int. J. Food Microbiol. 50: 45-57
Saarela et al. 2000 J. Biotechnol. 84: 197-215
Dunne et al. 2001 Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 73:386S-392S
Tuomola et al. 2001 Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 73: 393S-398S

In addition to these physiological assays, molecular investigations are now under way to determine the genetic basis of gastric survival and functionality and inclusion of molecular markers identified by this approach into screening programs may lead to more well-defined and reliable results.
Sa´nchez et al. 2005…