Probiotics are currently defined as live microorganisms which when consumed in sufficient quantity confer health benefits to the host. Probiotics live microorganisms such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobac-terium bacterial species, as well as yeast have beneficial effects upon ingestion by restoring the balance of the host’s intestinal microflora. It is important to maintain a healthy community of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

The word "probiotics" literally means "for life" and refers to living microorganisms that, when consumed in sufficient numbers, exert health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

The microfloral colony on the digestive tract is ordinarily composed of both benevolent and potentially harmful bacteria. When the delicate balance between these bacteria becomes adversely affected, the body becomes exposed to excessive toxin levels, which then manifests as various type of diseases. Probiotic bacteria are used to alter this intestinal microfloral balance in such a way that, by
being more abundant than
the harmful bacteria, they inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria,
promote good digestion, boost immunity and increase resistance to infection.

At present, probiotics are added to yogurts, various fermented milk products and dietary supplements during production. The majority probiotics currently marketed as nutritional supplements and used to supplement functional foods are strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Most of the probiotics available at present are bacteria whereas Saccharomyces boulardii is one example of probiotics yeast. Organism should meet the following basic requirements for consideration as a probiotic food product: exhibit biosafety characteristic, have the ability to survive in the human stomach, beneficial for host health and easy to process and cost effective (stability/long shelf life, commercial scale production). Dr.Tika Karki, a food scientist, says it should contain 10 million live micrporganism per gram for probiotic yogurts .

Probiotics may exhibit antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, antidiarrheal, antiallergenic and antioxidant activities. Considerable ongoing research is currently being undertaken focusing on the development of target specific probiotics containing well characterized bacteria that are entering the marketplace in the form of nutritional supplements and functional foods, such as yoghurt and other functional food products. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics that kill undesirable microorganism. Relief of lactose maldigestion symptoms and decreasing the duration of rotavirus diarrhea are health benefits conferred by many probiotics strains.

The potential benefits of probiotics foodstuffs.

Acidification of the colon: Benevolent microflora produces lactic and acetic acids, which are essential in combating the growth of potentially harmful bacteria such as salmonella, shigella and coliform species on the gastro intestinal tract.

Vitamin production: the intestinal flora enhances the production of several vitamins that are necessary for human health, including folic acid, B2, biotin, pantothenic acid B6, B12 and vitamin K.

Elimination of intestinal gas and bloating: the benevolent bacteria prevent harmful bacteria from becoming dominant in the colon where they of the produce foul-smelling waste products and create painful intestinal gas and bloating. Excess gas resulting in chronic flatulence is often a direct result of having too few benevolent floras on the colon, which in turn allows harmful bacteria and yeast to proliferate and multiply very quickly.

Normalizes bowel movements: constipation is often alleviated by ingesting large quantities of benevolent bacteria because they promote the processing of bodily waste considerably; decreasing the amount of time it takes for waste products to travel through the digestive system.

Improves immune system functioning: the benevolent bacteria act to provide powerful nature "internal vaccination" by stimulating the gut associated lymphoid tissue, which in turn combats harmful substances and organism in the body that might otherwise cause infections and disease.

Deactivation of carcinogenic compounds: numerous carcinogenic compounds derived from ingested foods and byproducts of other organisms are scavenged by the activities of benevolent bacteria.

Regulation of cholesterol levels: through a complex process, the benevolent flora helps to reduce the accumulation of cholesterol on the bloodstream and promote its excretion through the bowels.

Additional benefits associates with probiotic foodstuffs: the benevolent microflora of probiotics foods work in conjunction with other species of beneficial intestinal microorganisms " native to the human body" to produce additional benefits such as

creating a protective barrier against invasion by harmful microorganism by colonizing and coating the intestinal mucosa, Aiding in the production of natural beneficial antibiotic substances such as acidophillin, bifidin, hydrogen peroxide, Breaking down carbohydrates, facts and protein while rendering their toxic byproducts inert.

Probiotics are important for recolonizing the intestine during after and after antibiotic use. Probiotics also promote healthy digestion. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a source of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar, which is not present in lactose-intolerant people. Since lactic acid bacteria produce acids, peroxides and bacteriocins, it is expected that they could influence the incidence of cancer.

Probiotics, along with a very large and diverse range of other bacteria, colonize the human body. These bacteria play a significant role in human physiology.

Probiotic products have entered the market in the form of nutritional supplements and functional food. The probiotic market, especially that of dairy products such as yogurts and other fermented dairy products, has experienced rapid growth in Japan, Europe and the USA. Fermented milk drinks have been available in Japan for several decades and the market for probiotics products is now mature. Probiotic beverage and foodstuffs have begun to diversity into juices on the European market. In addition, while probiotics products may already have become a vital component in the diets of consumers’ in the developed world, they have yet to enter the markets of the developing world.

In general probiotics bacteria are sold in two different formats: food and dietary supplements. Food products containing probiotic bacteria are almost exclusively dairy products, capitalizing on the tradition association of lactic acid bacteria with fermented milk. The supplements market contains many different product formats and contents, including capsules, liquids, tablets and even food-like formats. Importantly, dietary supplements are designed to supplement the diet and not replace any of the components of a diet.

In developed countries, market competition among producers of dairy products supplemented with probiotics is intense. Functional foods, dietary fiber, prebiotic and probiotics are the principle functional ingredients in many of these dairy food products. Common dairy probiotic products in Japan expected that prebiotic and probiotics will continue to be the major functional food ingredients for the foreseeable future in the world.

The development of successful probiotic products will be contingent on both the proofs of a probiotic effect and the development of foods that harbor high numbers of viable organism at the time of consumption. At the start of the 21th century, globle probiotic research efforts are focusing on the development of target- specific probiotic products containing well characteristics. Reports are already demonstrated number of beneficial effects associated with the consumption of probiotics and sales are increasing worldwide as consumers become more aware of their benefits.

In Japan consumer demands for probiotics is high, which is well suited to the traditional Japanese concept of gaining good health through the consumption of natural products, American and European consumers also perceive the health benefits of probiotics and have increased their consumption of fermented dairy products considerably in recent years.

Owing to the increased
awareness among consumers regarding health, probiotic products are likely to enjoy very good prospects in both developed and developing nations.

The Japanese have truly been leaders in the whole health and wellness movements, of which probiotics are an important segments. After all, Japnese was the country to give birth to the daily dose probiotics drink yakult.

(This article was prepared after interacting with food scientists)