An object of the present invention is to provide a novel food material effective for improving skin conditions. The present invention provides a composition for use in improving skin conditions, comprising a Lactococcus bacterium as an active ingredient. Examples of the Lactococcus bacterium include Lactococcus lactis. The skin conditions are skin conditions deteriorated by light exposure, such as an increase in skin redness and a decrease in skin moisture content.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel food material effective for improving skin conditions. The present invention provides a composition for use in improving skin conditions, comprising a Lactococcus bacterium as an active ingredient. Examples of the Lactococcus bacterium include Lactococcus lactis. The skin conditions are skin conditions deteriorated by light exposure, such as an increase in skin redness and a decrease in skin moisture content.

Methods for enhancing embryonic and post-hatch growth and performance of poultry by administration of a probiotic composition, such as a composition containing a mixture of one or more bacterial cultures, to the surface of the shells of fertilized eggs prior to setting. Optionally, the method further includes administration of the same probiotic composition at the same concentration to chicks hatched from the eggs that had received the topical in ovo administration to the shell. The probiotic composition is administered to the chicks orally, such as in feed.

Methods for enhancing embryonic and post-hatch growth and performance of poultry by administration of a probiotic composition, such as a composition containing a mixture of one or more bacterial cultures, to the surface of the shells of fertilized eggs prior to setting. Optionally, the method further includes administration of the same probiotic composition at the same concentration to chicks hatched from the eggs that had received the topical in ovo administration to the shell. The probiotic composition is administered to the chicks orally, such as in feed.

The present invention relates to the identification of a group of microorganisms, which are relatively abundant in the microbial communities associated with fruits and vegetables typically consumed raw and therefore transient or permanent members of the human microbiota. These microbes are used to augment the effects of additional probiotic strains. The consumption of mixtures of these microbes at relevant doses will produce a beneficial effect in the host mediated in part by production of short chain fatty acids to enhance colonic butyrate production. Therapeutic methods of the invention involve the use of live microorganisms or metabolites derived from said microorganisms to establish a microbial composition in the mammalian host that will provide a health benefit to a mammal in need thereof.

The present invention relates to the identification of a group of microorganisms, which are relatively abundant in the microbial communities associated with fruits and vegetables typically consumed raw and therefore transient or permanent members of the human microbiota. These microbes are used to augment the effects of additional probiotic strains. The consumption of mixtures of these microbes at relevant doses will produce a beneficial effect in the host mediated in part by production of short chain fatty acids to enhance colonic butyrate production. Therapeutic methods of the invention involve the use of live microorganisms or metabolites derived from said microorganisms to establish a microbial composition in the mammalian host that will provide a health benefit to a mammal in need thereof.

The disclosure relates to a mixture of bacteria belonging to at least six or seven different and specific bacterial species preferably for use in preventing or treating gastro-intestinal disorders. Preferably, the mixture of bacteria is grown together in a fermenter prior to administering the mixture to a subject in order to prevent or treat the disorder.

The disclosure relates to a mixture of bacteria belonging to at least six or seven different and specific bacterial species preferably for use in preventing or treating gastro-intestinal disorders. Preferably, the mixture of bacteria is grown together in a fermenter prior to administering the mixture to a subject in order to prevent or treat the disorder.

Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The emulsion compositions are intended for administration to a mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The emulsion compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.

Compositions and methods for mucosal delivery of agents are provided. The emulsion compositions are intended for administration to a mucosal surface, such as oral, gastrointestinal and nasal mucosa. The emulsion compositions provided contain one or more mucoadhesive proteins and an agent to be delivered. Methods for delivery of agents using the compositions provided herein are also provided.