Probiotics And Prebiotics

Probiotics, which come from a Greek word and mean “for life”, are microorganisms (bacteria or yeasts) that, when taken in sufficient quantities, affect the health of the organism in a good way. Probiotics have an important place in the immune system and have many effects such as the prevention of carcinogens, absorption of nutrients, prevention of pathogens, and changes in intestinal microbiota. It provides tolerance to different foods1,2.

Probiotics must meet several conditions. The first of these are: probiotics must be able to withstand the passage through the gastrointestinal tract (all the main organs of the digestive system) and withstand acid and bile degradation. Second, it must be able to adhere to the intestinal epithelium to balance the intestinal flora. Third, it should not have pathogenic properties, that is, it should not cause disease. They must be safe and effective and must remain viable over a long period of time. At the same time, probiotic mixtures can be synergistic (having a stronger effect as a result of the combination of chemical substances) in suppressing pathogens. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Streptococcus are some species of Saccharomyce1,2,3.

Prebiotics are foods that act as food and are usually high in fiber. Also known as insoluble fiber. Prebiotics only stimulates the reproduction and growth of useful microflora. It improves the work of the digestive system (such as maintaining an optimal pH in the intestine) and stimulates the immune system (by increasing the number of cells that secrete immunoglobulin such as IgA). Oats, bananas, dandelion greens, and apples are examples of prebiotics. Prebiotics, which are indigestible, benefit the organism by selectively stimulating a group of bacteria with probiotic properties. If probiotics are found together with prebiotics, they are called symbiotic products. Yogurt is an example2,3,4.

Figure 1: Food sample of prebiotics and probiotics[1].

Lactobacillus, known as lactic acid bacteria, are gram-positive bacteria that convert lactose and other nutrients into lactic acid. Bifidobacterium aids digestion. It is part of the intestinal flora and, suppresses the pathogen cells so that these pathogens cannot pass through the intestinal wall. They are effective in mineral absorption. Escherichia is a group of gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli bacteria. Although there are commensal bacteria, there are also some that can be pathogenic for living things. Enterococcus are gram-positive bacteria that can live commensal in human intestines. They can cause infection. They are facultative anaerobic organisms. Bacillus is a gram-positive and spore-forming bacterium. If they grow in culture in the presence of oxygen, they split hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, so they are catalase positive. Streptococcus is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile catalase-negative bacterium. It is the most abundant bacteria on the skin. If resistance decreases in animals, it may act as a pathogen. Streptococcus has an effect on the structure of enzymes and macromolecules. Saccharomyces is a group that includes alcohol and bread-making yeasts, derived from the Latin words “sugar” and Greek “fungus”. By interacting with bacterial species, kefir is produced5,6,7.

The benefits of bacteria and yeast, which have different properties from each other, are very important in our bodies. The place of probiotics and prebiotics, which are especially effective in our immune system, and in our lives, is indisputable, as they create a barrier against hostile organisms.

References:

  1. Advances in Probiotics: Microorganisms in Food and Health. United Kingdom, Elsevier Science, 2021. , Editors: Alwarappan Sankaranarayanan, Dharumaurai Dhansekaran, ISBN: 9780128229095, 0128229098
  2. Probiotics, Accessed April 15, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/probiotics/#:~:text=Probiotics%20are%20live%20bacteria%20and,%22%20or%20%22friendly%22%20bacteria.
  3. Senok AC Ismaeel AY Botta GA . Probiotics: facts and myths. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005; 11:958–66, DOI: 10.1111/J.1469-0691.2005.01228.X
  4. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 67, Issue 6, 15 March 2010, Pages 449–458, ID: 481651
  5. Department of Microbiology, GMCH, Chandigarh – 160 032, India Received 13 February 2008, DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.53201
  6. Norio Ishibashi, Shoji Yamazaki, Probiotics and safety, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Cilt 73, Sayı 2, Şubat 2001, Sayfa 465s–470s, DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/73.2.465s
  7. Pien FD, Shrum S, Swenson JM, Hill BC, Thornsberry C, Farmer JJ 3rd (1985). “Colonization of human wounds by Escherichia vulneris and Escherichia hermannii”. J Clin Microbiol 22 (2): 283-5, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.22.2.283-285.1985

Figure Reference:

  • Natural Ways to Treat the Cold and Flu. Accessed May 3, 2023. https://thedempsterclinic.com/natural-treat-cold-flu/?__cf_chl_tk=hCcPqITbgSMCLzD7WCW9FRgJQ4e1q3n1rZTG5Rt9KeQ-1683143280-0-gaNycGzNCiU

Inspector:Evrim Öykü ONAY

Yorum bırakın

E-posta adresiniz yayınlanmayacak. Gerekli alanlar * ile işaretlenmişlerdir