Lactic acid bacteria activities to promote health benefits

Abstract

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 the development of 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 swine 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 the nutritional status and the 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 the 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, the linoleic acid desaturase allows the production of conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid with different biological functions. Strains from intestinal, ruminal and dairy origin that are able to produce CLA, may be included in foods or used as probiotic to offer health benefits to consumers.