Abstract

RONDON, Lisett et al. Probiotics: general aspects. Arch Venez Puer Ped [online]. 2015, vol.78, n.4, pp.123-128. ISSN 0004-0649.

The intestinal microbiota is the community of resident living microoganisms in the digestive system. Modern studies of the microbiota have brought us knowledge of an important number of not cultured bacteria and of the relation between the microorganism that inhabit us and our homeostasis. In order to modulate intestinal microbiota for their host’s advantage, health benefits have been obtained with oral administration of probiotics in proper amounts. Microorganisms must meet certain safety features to be labeled as probiotics: they must be safe, they must stay alive and they must colonize the gut, among others. Different products may contain probiotics in its composition: oral rehydration solutions, infant formulas and certain foods. Many of them contain not a single strain, but a combination of several species of microorganisms, sometimes associated also with vitamins and prebiotic substances. The mechanisms of action of probiotics include: pH induction under 4, inhibition of growth of pathogenic bacteria, lactic acid production, reduced intestinal permeability, increased lactase activity, competitive effect with other pathogenic bacteria, immunological effects. Clinical application of probiotics is different in each case and depends on the strain and the dose administered.

Keywords : microbiota; microbiom; colonization; probiotics; characteristics; mechanism of action.

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