B-Group Vitamin-Producing Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Tool to Bio-Enrich Foods and Delivery Natural Vitamins to the Host

Abstract

Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and other human gut commensal microorganisms such as bifidobacteria are able to produce varying amounts of B-group vitamins. This microbial functionality is of great interest from a technological, nutritional, and health point of since vitamin-producing strains can be used as a tool to improve B vitamin content of foods through fermentation process; as microbial cell factories capable of releasing vitamins along the human gastrointestinal tract during digestion or to improve vitamin content in the host gut by in situ production. These strategies aim to deliver natural B vitamin content to consumers, as a consumer-friendly alternative to supplements or foods fortified with chemically synthesized vitamins, because these nutrient deficiencies still occur in underdeveloped and developed countries. This chapter will discuss the use of LAB to bio-enrich fermented foods with B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, and folate) produced de novo and also the use of these beneficial microorganisms as vitamin delivery microbial cells as a bio-supplement to release natural B vitamins inside the host during digestion.