The present invention provides a method of controlling growth of unwanted microorganisms by limiting their access to manganese. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting or delaying growth of yeast and mold by reducing the manganese concentration in a product which is preferably a food product. The invention also provides manganese scavengers and uses thereof to inhibit or delay fungal growth.

The present disclosure relates to a strain of Lactobacillus sakei HEM224 (KCTC14065BP) and a composition for treating, preventing or alleviating inflammation or asthma, comprising the strain.

A strain of Lactobacillus sakei HEM224 (KCTC14065BP) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory factors or inflammatory factors, and exhibits an effect of treating asthma in an asthma animal model. Therefore, the strain can be applied to pharmaceutical compositions, food compositions, health functional food compositions and feed compositions for treating, preventing or alleviating inflammation or asthma.