A pre-fermented symbiotic matrix based on a cereal suspension containing encapsulated probiotics and prebiotics, the manufacturing process and the corresponding use are disclosed. The invention complements the actual functional food market solving problems inherent to reduced shelf-life of foods due to loss of probiotic viability to values below the minimum limits needed to promote biological activity. The invention also improves the enzymatic process in the preparation of the cereal base and the fermentative process conditions at different levels, namely the ability to control the concentration of sugars in the cereal suspension without adding sugars, increase protein and fiber content, reduce fermentation time to reduce energy consumption during the process and reduce the risk of contamination as well as promote long term microbial stability maintenance. The invention is designed for cases where intolerance and/or allergy to dairy products occur, as wells for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries, including pet food.

A method for improving body shape and improving skin condition using a noni fruit ferment is provided, and the method includes: administrating a composition to a subject in need thereof. The composition includes an effective amount of noni fruit ferment. The noni fruit ferment is prepared by (a) mixing glucose and noni fruit with water for extraction, to obtain a noni fruit broth, and (b) fermenting the noni fruit broth with a plurality of bacteria strains. The bacteria strains include yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria. In step (b), the noni fruit broth and the bacteria strains are irradiated with a red light source with a wavelength of 620 nm to 750 nm. In addition, the noni fruit ferment also has at least one of the following functions: removing free radicals, improving defecation status, and improving gastrointestinal motility.

Probiotic compositions suitable for intravaginal administration to a non-human animal comprising one or more strains of bacteria native to the vagina of the species of animal and a non-aqueous base, probiotic products, kits, and systems comprising the probiotic compositions, and methods of using the probiotic compositions, products, kits, and systems.

The present invention provides a method, wherein the method forms a biofilm, wherein the biofilm comprises a population of at least one bacterial strain attached to particles, wherein the biofilm is configured to colonize a gut of a subject in need thereof for at least five days, when ingested by the subject, the method comprising: a. obtaining a population comprising at least one strain of bacteria; b. inoculating a growth medium containing particles with the population comprising at least one strain of bacteria; c. incubating the particles with the population comprising at least one bacterial strain for a time sufficient for the population of at least one strain of bacteria to attach to the particles; and d. culturing the population comprising at least one strain of bacteria attached to the particles in a growth medium, for a time sufficient to form a biofilm.

Disclosed are Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum C-RAPO (KCTC13986BP) and Bifidobacterium bifidum ATT (KCTC13474BP) strains that have the effects of inhibiting sialoadenitis, which is a symptom of the Sjogren's syndrome, and inhibiting a reduction in saliva flow rate. Based on this, these strains can be used for prevention or treatment of Sjogren's syndrome and can be developed into food, health food and pharmaceuticals.

The present invention relates to diagnostic methods to assess the presence of quorum sensing molecules (QSM), preferably peptides (QSPs), that influence muscle wasting in humans. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the knowledge obtained by the diagnostic method in order to influence muscle wasting diseases in animals and human, by for example providing bacteria that produce beneficial QSMs or non-harmful QSMs, providing antagonists for harmful QSMs and the like.

Mixed allergen compositions of two or more different allergens are provided. In some instances, the mixed allergen compositions include: a nut allergen; an animal allergen; and at least one of: a non-nut plant allergen; a biotic agent; and a vitamin. Also provided are methods of administering the mixed allergen compositions to a subject. The mixed allergen compositions find use in a variety of applications, including health maintenance, immune balance, gut balance, immune support, health improvement and therapeutic applications.

The present invention relates to a Bifidobacterium longum probiotic for use to improve fermentability of a plant fibre during gastro-intestinal tract passage in a subject, wherein said plant fibre has an insoluble fraction of between 40 to 80% (w/w).

Provided herein are recombinant microorganisms that express a subject polypeptide. Microorganisms can comprise an expression construct comprising a flagellin promoter operatively linked with a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding the subject polypeptide. The flagellin promoter sequence can comprise a genetic modification that reduces CsrA inhibition of translation. Microorganisms also can comprise a genetic modification that reduces FlgM inhibition of SigD initiation of transcription. The target polypeptide can be an aldehyde dehydrogenase. Such microorganisms are useful in the treatment of alcohol hangover.

Stress is any demand placed on the brain or physical body, thereby leading to anxiety and depression and it is a common phenomenon experienced by humans and animals. Stress, anxiety and depression often leads to serious mental ill health. People with anxiety disorders respond to certain things or situations with fear and dread and display physical signs such as a pounding heart and sweating. Often, people lose their willpower, concentration and interest in day to day activities, are drained of energy and can even become devoid of any emotion.

It is documented that low activity of certain neurotransmitters can result in anxiety, chronic stress, depression, difficulty in concentrating, memory problems, muscle pain, headaches, insomnia and sleep problems. Therefore, if the level of these neurotransmitters is raised, the problem of stress, anxiety and depression can be cured. The invention describes a formulation to naturally increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the body, thereby reducing stress, anxiety and depression.