Use of galactose or a galactooligosaccharide, for increasing serpin protein production in Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum.

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).

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).

Aspects of the present invention relate inter alia to compositions which may have utility as anti-microbials. Such antimicrobial compositions may be for use in promoting wound healing and/or the treatment of microbial infections. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an antimicrobial composition and/or combinations comprising copper gluconate and zinc gluconate which may be for use in treating and/or preventing infections and/or promoting wound healing. Certain aspects of the present invention further elate to an antimicrobial composition and/or device comprising copper gluconate, zinc gluconate and Lactobacillus plantarum for use in treating infections and/or promoting wound healing. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of treating microbial and/or fungal infections in a subject, for example infections of the genital tract. Aspects of the present invention include a composition comprising a zinc salt and a copper salt, wherein the zinc salt is zinc gluconate and the copper salt is copper gluconate.

Aspects of the present invention relate inter alia to compositions which may have utility as anti-microbials. Such antimicrobial compositions may be for use in promoting wound healing and/or the treatment of microbial infections. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to an antimicrobial composition and/or combinations comprising copper gluconate and zinc gluconate which may be for use in treating and/or preventing infections and/or promoting wound healing. Certain aspects of the present invention further elate to an antimicrobial composition and/or device comprising copper gluconate, zinc gluconate and Lactobacillus plantarum for use in treating infections and/or promoting wound healing. Also encompassed by the present invention are methods of treating microbial and/or fungal infections in a subject, for example infections of the genital tract. Aspects of the present invention include a composition comprising a zinc salt and a copper salt, wherein the zinc salt is zinc gluconate and the copper salt is copper gluconate.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to compositions of bacterial isolates with probiotic activity. Compositions and methods described herein may confer health benefits to subjects in need thereof. This may be accomplished by administering to the subject an effective amount of the microorganism isolates and may include also administering an effective amount of a prebiotic, stabilizer, antibacterial agent, antifungal agent, and/or media component. Probiotic compositions may also be in combination with a suitable delivery system, such as a food product or a beverage, a food or beverage compositions, a food or beverage supplement or adjuvant.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to compositions of bacterial isolates with probiotic activity. Compositions and methods described herein may confer health benefits to subjects in need thereof. This may be accomplished by administering to the subject an effective amount of the microorganism isolates and may include also administering an effective amount of a prebiotic, stabilizer, antibacterial agent, antifungal agent, and/or media component. Probiotic compositions may also be in combination with a suitable delivery system, such as a food product or a beverage, a food or beverage compositions, a food or beverage supplement or adjuvant.

A composition for promoting development of the intestinal tract, a composition for improving lung function or a composition for improving immune function containing a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis is provided. The bacterium is preferably Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 (NITE BP-02623).

A composition for promoting development of the intestinal tract, a composition for improving lung function or a composition for improving immune function containing a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis is provided. The bacterium is preferably Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 (NITE BP-02623).

A cognitive function-improving agent containing one or both of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 and a culture of Bifidobacterium breve FERM BP-11175 as an active ingredient for administration to a subject who has not developed dementia is provided.