Probiotics

The subject ?probiotics? currently is on everyone´s lips. Probiotic germs (probio = for life) are defined as microor-ganisms, which positively influence hu-man or animal health by their metabo-lism.

Bifidobacteria and Lb. acidophilus are applied for a long time. However, Lb. casei, Lb. rhamnosus and Ec. faecium are used, too.

The effect depends on the meta-bolic activity in the digestive tract. Prior condition is a high survival rate after in-fluence of gastric acid and bile acid. In the intestine itself probiotic germs com-plete the intestinal flora which is com-posed of Bacterioides, Eubacteria, Strep-tococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria.


Generally the effects of probiotic germs depend on the strain and can be defined as follows:

? Improvement of general well-being
? Stimulation of immunity
? Reduction of cholesterol level
? Inhibition of undesired flora
? Synthesis of vitamins
? Positive influence on intestinal flora
? Improvement of calcium absorption
? Decrease of diarrhea
? Increased yields in feed (animal nutrition)

Our probiotic cultures were examined for their different properties and effects and their possible ways of application were tested during several trials.